The expedition of Zhang Qian, a Chinese official and diplomat, is commonly regarded as the commencement of the network of Eurasian trade routes later dubbed the Silk Road. It consisted of a network of paths and roads where merchants transported goods and traded at bazaars, thus connecting eastern and western civilizations. Stretching over 4,000 miles it facilitated cultural, political and economic interactions, remaining active for approximately 1400 years. Parts of the Silk Road still exist, making travel along some of the original routes possible.

The Silk Road has commonly been called “the first global trade route in history”. Apart from myriad goods bought and exchanged, religion, culture, technology and ideas were also spread along this famous web of passages.

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The Ancient Silk Road

The Silk Road has commonly been called “the first global trade route in history”. Apart from myriad goods bought and exchanged, religion, culture, technology and ideas were also spread along this famous web of passages.