Silk Road Facts

What Is the Silk Road

The Silk Road generally refers to the land Silk Road, which is broadly divided into land Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road. In 1877, the German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen defined "the western region traffic road mediated by silk trade between China and Central Asia as well as India" as "the Silk Road" in his book. This term was soon accepted and broadened to describe the network of trade routes connecting China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe by the academic community and the public, officially used and continues to this day.

Where Is the Silk Road

The silk road (the land silk road) was a vast network of trade routes that spanned the entire continent of Asia from China’s Chang’an, connecting parts of north Africa and the Mediterranean sea area.

The silk road was not only one road. In addition to land transportation, there is also a route to other countries by sea, which is the Maritime Silk Road. The maritime silk road spreads outward from the South China Sea, with several branches connecting North Korea, Japan, Ryukyu, and other countries on today's Indochina Peninsula, Southeast Asian coastal islands, South Asia, Central and Western Asia, North Africa, and Europe.

Where did the Silk Road Start and End

It’s believed that the Silk Road started from the great Chinese capital city Chang’an(today’s Xi’an), and later from Luoyang during the East Han Dynasty and stretched westward with spurs and rejoining and finally reached the Roman Empire via Parthia.

How Long Was the Silk Road

Generally, the silk road often refers to the land Silk Road that extended approximately 6,437 kilometers (4,000 miles) across some of the world’s most formidable landscapes, including the Gobi Desert and the Pamir Mountains. As for the Maritime Silk Road, it’s totally over 15,000 kilometers (9375miles) in length, as it stretched from the west coast of Japan, through the islands of Indonesia, around India to the lands of the Middle East – and from there, across the Mediterranean to Europe.

Why Is the Silk Road Called the Silk Road

The name, silk road comes from the most popular Chinese goods - silk with countries along the road, especially the Rome empire. But the route network was not officially named. The German geographer and traveler Ferdinand von Richthofen first used the term “silk road” in 1877 C.E. to describe the trade pathways between Europe and East Asia. His student, the renowned Swedish geographer, and explorer Sven Hedin, published a book entitled The Silk Road in 1934.

When did the Silk Road Begin and End

It is believed that the silk road was officially opened trade with the West in 130 B.C., established in the Han Dynasty. But before that, the crossing border trade activities began a long time ago. The silk road remained to be used until 1453 AD, for the Ottoman Empire boycotted trade with China and closed the trade routes. It has been used for nearly 600 years and had a great impact on international trade and cultural exchanges.

Who Started the Silk Road

When trade began to develop, the silk road gradually formed. The transport of goods and services along these routes dates back even further before any certain person starts. The first person to take this route in history should be Zhang Qian, an envoy sent by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. In 142 BC, Zhang Qian was ordered by the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to send out the Western Region from Chang'an. He was twice imprisoned by the Xiongnu army. After 13 years, he finally returned to Chang'an and made his reports from his journeys conveyed valuable information about the people and lands that lay to the West. After Zhang’s visits, the emissaries of countries such as Persia also came to visit Chang'an, and many foreign businessmen came to China for trade.

Who Were the Famous Travelers on the Silk Road

The most famous traveler of the Silk Road is Marco Polo (1254–1324 CE). Marco Polo traveled with his father and uncle to China when he was just 17. Upon his return in 1295 CE, Marco Polo wrote about his adventures, making him—and the routes he traveled—famous. Another famous traveler is the monk, Xuanzang (602 – 664CE). He took a 17-year pilgrimage to bring Buddhist teachings from India to China. His journey to the west was recorded and Xuanzang became a household name in China as his journey to India inspired the great Chinese epic Journey to the West (also known as ‘The Legend of the Monkey King’).

How Long did It Take to Cross the Silk Road in Ancient Time

The monk Xuanzang took about 17 years on the road to get from Chang’An (modern Xi’an), the Chinese capital, to India. If he traveled a more westerly route, up the Gansu corridor to Dunhuang, across the Tarim Basin, to Kashgar, and across the mountains to Samarkand, he might need to walk 2300 miles. That would be complete in about 200 days for a man walking without ceasing at night. However, there are lots of possible delays along the way, such as traveling through the mountains and traveling during the frozen wintertime and scorching summer days.

What and How did the Merchants Trade Along the Silk Road

For the land silk Route, camels were popular animals for transport through dry and harsh land. Merchants and tradesmen traveled in large caravans. They would have had many guards with them. For the Maritime silk Route, ships are the only transportation method. 

Besides silk, Chinese merchants brought porcelain, tea, paper, and bronze products, etc., while merchants from other countries still exported rich goods to China such as horses, woolen goods, exotic food, jewels, amber, metals, dyes, drugs, and glass, ivory, etc.

Why Was the Silk Road Important

The Silk Road helped to generate trade and commerce between the east and west. More importantly, it helped ideas, culture, inventions, and unique products to spread across the world. Since the Silk Road connected people from different cultures, languages, and religions, there was an astounding exchange of ideas within and between these cities. Religious ideologies such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism disseminated along the Silk Road. Technological developments and inventions also made their way along the Silk Road. The most important inventions are paper and gunpowder, both invented by the Chinese during the Han Dynasty, and which have had obvious and lasting impacts on culture and history in the West.