Silk Road Development Representative

Before Western Han Dynasty (202BC - 9AD)

Small-scale business sprouted between central and western China, trading bronze ware, lacquer ware, and jade.

138BC and 119 BC during Western Han

Zhang Qian was twice sent on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions in China, forming the initial route, which enabled silk to spread and become popular.

16 AD

Western Regions cut off the connection with the central court, and also broke the trade route.

Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220)

In 73AD, Ban Chao set off on a diplomatic trip to western China and reopened the road, and later his assistant extended this route to the Persian Gulf. In 166AD, the Roman Empire sent an envoy to China. Then ties with the Europe  were formed through this road.

Sui and Tang (581 – 907)

The route developed into three branches, trading silk, porcelain, and tea. It entered the golden age, together with the maritime route, which even reached Japan.

Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368)

Italian merchant traveler Marco Polo reached China and introduced the prosperity of this trade route to the whole world through his book.

Ming and Qing (1368 - 1911)

It declined due to the rapid development of maritime trade.

Modern Times

The trading function fades but it now becomes a tourist route with many historical attractions along the way.