The Surviving Concubine: Yang Guifei’s Story

The tale of Yang Guifei surviving the tragedy is mostly found in folk legends and works of art. One version says that during the upheaval at Mawei Slope, Yang Guifei was secretly rescued and later traveled east to Japan. There, she was treated with respect and lived out the rest of her life, helping spread the culture of the Great Tang. This added a touch of mystery to her already legendary life. According to official histories, however, Yang Guifei died at Mawei Slope. These stories of her survival reflect people’s sorrow over her fate and their romantic imaginings.