Though the Song dynasty was militaristically weak and its borders significantly smaller than the Tang, it was an era of great economic and cultural developments. The Song dynasty saw new developments in philosophy, literature, art and architecture, as well as great advancements in science and technology. The introduction of foreign crops from Southeast Asia doubled the Chinese population. Use of coal for steel production and petrol for lighting emerged. Faster trade routes throughout the empire coupled with the wider adoption of paper currency created an economic boom that surpassed the Tang dynasty. In a way, the Song dynasty was a Chinese "Renaissance" and mini "Industrial age" that lasted for roughly 300 years.
Though the Song dynasty was militaristically weak and its borders significantly smaller than the Tang, it was an era of great economic and cultural developments. The Song dynasty saw new developments in philosophy, literature, art and architecture, as well as great advancements in science and technology. The introduction of foreign crops from Southeast Asia doubled the Chinese population. Use of coal for steel production and petrol for lighting emerged. Faster trade routes throughout the empire coupled with the wider adoption of paper currency created an economic boom that surpassed the Tang dynasty. In a way, the Song dynasty was a Chinese "Renaissance" and mini "Industrial age" that lasted for roughly 300 years.