Falconry and hunting were pursuits of the steppe people living
north of the Silk Road, but just as the military of the neighbouring
civilisations adopted the steppe riding skills for warfare, their
aristocracies soon also became keen horsemen. Wall paintings in
Chinese imperial tombs show men riding off with their hunting dogs
and cats on their horse's back, or a falcon on their arm.
Chinese men and women of the eighth century both played polo,
a sport which probably originated in Persia. For riding they adopted
the ‘foreigner’s dress’, a split-sided short
tunic worn outside baggy trousers tucked into leather boots. This
became a fashion item for Chinese aristocratic women.
People also found less active ways to relax. Grapes have been
grown since ancient times in the Near East and Egypt, and the Sogdians
were great drinkers. By the eighth century there was a Chinese
winemaking industry using mare's teats grapes from Gaochang. Contemporary
poems and letters show wine was often enjoyed to excess:
'Yesterday, having drunk too much, I was so intoxicated as to
pass all bounds; but none of the rude and coarse language I used
was uttered in a conscious state. The next morning, after hearing
others speak on the subject, I realised what had happened, whereupon
I was overwhelmed with confusion and ready to sink into the earth
with shame.'
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