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REGIONAL ADVISORY

“The Silk Road,” is a title that conjures images of caravans laden with silks, spices, gold, exotic animals and other luxurious goods. The term is misleading, however, in that there were several routes connecting the empire of China to Europe and Western Asia. The title itself was not coined until the nineteenth century, by the German scholar, von Richthofen.

In China, trade caravans set off from Changan (Xian) and then skirted north or south around the Taklimakan desert, one of the most hostile environments on earth. The local peoples refer to the Taklimakan as “The Land of Death” for its brutal daytime temperatures, sparse vegetation and oasis, cold nights, ceaseless winds and catastrophic sandstorms.

Another danger plaguing the caravaneers was the constant threat of attack by bandits who coveted the treasure they transported. The Han Dynasty sent forces to protect the trade routes, and eventually built forts and walls, including part of the Great Wall in the caravans’ defense.

Silk and spices were not the only things carried on the trade routes; ideas and religions spread as well. In the seventh century, Xuan Zhuang traveled to India to study Buddhism, starting out upon the northern route, and returning along the southern. Upon his return to Changan (Xian), he built the “Great Goose Pagoda” to house the hundreds of scriptures he had collected in his travels.

The history of the Silk Road is evident in the archeological digs and ruins that surround the Taklimakan desert. The Mogao grottos at Dunhuang, at the eastern end of the Taklimakan, are the most famous and are currently under going stabilization and restoration of their Buddhist murals.

The Silk Road brought together many peoples from disparate lands. This can be seen in the ethnic makeup of modern-day Kashgar. The region is host to a variety of cultures, including: Han Chinese, Tibetans, Mongolians, Tajik, Kazakhs and Uzbeks. The Sunday market evokes those by-gone days, with vendors selling spices, wool, livestock, and hand-crafted knives.

Our experienced guides at First Cabin travel will shepherd you through the Silk Road highlights, guiding you in the footsteps of legendary Buddhists, Marco Polo, and centuries of caravaneers.


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	REGIONAL ADVISORY “The Silk Road,” is a title that conjures images of caravans laden with silks, spices, gold, exotic animals and other luxurious goods. The term is misleading, however, in that there were several routes connecting the empire of China to Europe and Western Asia. The title itself was not coined until the nineteenth century, by the German scholar, von Richthofen. In China, trade caravans set off from Changan (Xian) and then skirted north or south around the Taklimakan desert, one of the most hostile environments on earth. The local peoples refer to the Taklimakan as “The Land of Death” for its brutal daytime temperatures, sparse vegetation and oasis, cold nights, ceaseless winds and catastrophic sandstorms. Another danger plaguing the caravaneers was the constant threat of attack by bandits who coveted the treasure they transported. The Han Dynasty sent forces to protect the trade routes, and eventually built forts and walls, including part of the Great Wall in the caravans’ defense. Silk and spices were not the only things carried on the trade routes; ideas and religions spread as well. In the seventh century, Xuan Zhuang traveled to India to study Buddhism, starting out upon the northern route, and returning along the southern. Upon his return to Changan (Xian), he built the “Great Goose Pagoda” to house the hundreds of scriptures he had collected in his travels. The history of the Silk Road is evident in the archeological digs and ruins that surround the Taklimakan desert. The Mogao grottos at Dunhuang, at the eastern end of the Taklimakan, are the most famous and are currently under going stabilization and restoration of their Buddhist murals. The Silk Road brought together many peoples from disparate lands. This can be seen in the ethnic makeup of modern-day Kashgar. The region is host to a variety of cultures, including: Han Chinese, Tibetans, Mongolians, Tajik, Kazakhs and Uzbeks. The Sunday market evokes those by-gone days, with vendors selling spices, wool, livestock, and hand-crafted knives. Our experienced guides at First Cabin travel will shepherd you through the Silk Road highlights, guiding you in the footsteps of legendary Buddhists, Marco Polo, and centuries of caravaneers.
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