| Small Beginnings | | | | led to the reopening of parts of this route |
| | | | to some extent. |
| Arguably the most significant trade route of | | | | |
| ancient Chinese civilisation, the Silk Road, | | | | The historical significance of the route is |
| or Silk Route as it is sometimes known, was | | | | well-appreciated by modern-day travellers. To |
| named in the mid-19th century by German | | | | walk in the footsteps of the likes of Marco |
| scholar, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen. | | | | Polo, to see first-hand the landscapes |
| However, the route itself was in use since | | | | traversed by explorers centuries ago; it is |
| around the 2nd Century BC. Its original | | | | surely a fantastic experience of cultural |
| purpose had been political rather than | | | | enrichment. |
| economic and a court official from the Han | | | | |
| Empire was sent westwards on a diplomatic | | | | The potential that this area holds as a |
| mission, becoming the first traveller along | | | | tourist destination is not lost on the |
| what would become the most important | | | | authorities. Neither is its archaeological |
| east-west link ever. It was to be decades | | | | relevance. |
| before his return, and when he did, the goods | | | | |
| and information he'd gathered on his journey | | | | Preserving the Past |
| would spark the desire for trade. | | | | |
| | | | Chinese authorities are doing their best to |
| Corridor of cultural exchange | | | | protect and restore many of the most |
| | | | important archaeological sites. The Dunhuang |
| Over time, the route became a conduit for the | | | | Research Institute has been examining and |
| exchange of information and goods - it was to | | | | restoring the Mogao grottos and an extensive |
| people of the time as the Internet is to us | | | | preservation project is currently underway. |
| today; a means of linkage between diverse and | | | | Excavations are undertaken all over, with |
| geographically isolated civilisations. | | | | significant finds relatively frequent. |
| | | | |
| What's in a name anyway? | | | | One such find has been produced at the Astana |
| | | | tombs site, where the dead from the city of |
| "The Silk Road" is a bit of a misnomer. | | | | Gaochang were buried. The murals, clothing |
| Firstly, it was not really a single road. | | | | and other artefacts discovered, have provided |
| Rather, it was a wandering network of trails | | | | significant insight into life along the old |
| linking the Far East to Europe, Persia and | | | | Silk Road. There is much to see and learn |
| Northern Africa. Secondly, silk was but one | | | | from around the Taklimakan Desert; damaged |
| of a considerable number of valuable | | | | grottos and ruined cities rich in their |
| commodities traded along the route. | | | | histories. |
| | | | |
| Exchanging ideas and ideologies | | | | Unique People |
| | | | |
| Scientific and technological innovations, | | | | Archaeology is not the only draw card though. |
| such as gunpowder, ceramics, the magnetic | | | | Many visitors are attracted by the minority |
| compass, the printing press and mathematics, | | | | peoples - there are about thirteen different |
| transferred along the Silk Road to the West. | | | | groupings in the region; the Han Chinese, the |
| The religion of Buddhism reached China from | | | | Tibetans and Mongolians in the east, and the |
| India, and was later to play an important | | | | Tajik, Kazakhs and Uzbeks in the west. |
| role in the evolution of Chinese culture. Of | | | | |
| course, Buddhism was not to be the only | | | | Then there's the lure of cities such as |
| religion to travel this road. The cultural | | | | Kashgar, where the Sunday market maintains |
| effects of the rise of Islam can still be | | | | much of the old Silk Road spirit. People |
| seen in many of the areas along the route. | | | | various nationalities selling everything from |
| Art and language too came to be exchanged. | | | | spice and ornaments to camels and carpets. |
| | | | |
| Silk by Sea | | | | It is the kind of place that adventure |
| | | | travellers dream about. Rich in history and |
| In the late 15th century, the discovery of a | | | | cultural legacy, surrounded by imposing |
| sea route from Europe to Asia made the Silk | | | | geography, peopled by diverse minorities and |
| Road less popular as a trade route. Sea | | | | relatively untouched by mainstream tourist |
| travel presented a new opportunity to trade | | | | machinations. |
| at lower cost, with fewer dangers. These sea | | | | |
| routes are sometimes considered as part of | | | | The Silk Route Legacy Lives On |
| the greater "Silk Route". | | | | |
| | | | From its founding during the early days of |
| The Silk Route Today | | | | the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road has had an |
| | | | important role in international trade and |
| After what could perhaps be called an | | | | politics, extending over three continents and |
| extended hibernation period, the Silk Route | | | | leaving its mark on civilisations around the |
| is once again growing in importance. The | | | | globe. It has had periods of boom and decline |
| construction of modern roads and railways, | | | | and it has been always come back to boom |
| the discovery of oil reserves and the | | | | again. I would venture to suggest that the |
| industrialisation of surrounding areas has | | | | story of the Silk Road is far from over... |