Silk route Essay Example for Free

Silk route Essay In recent years, both the maritime and overland Silk Routes are again being used, often closely following the ancient routes. The Silk Routes (collectively known as the Silk Road) were important paths for cultural, commercial and technological exchange between traders, merchants, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from Ancient China, Ancient India, Ancient Tibet, Persia and Mediterranean countries for almost 3,000 ears. Extending 4,000 miles, the routes enabled people to transport goods, especially luxuries such as slaves, silk, satin and other fine fabrics, musk, other perfumes, spices, medicines, Jewels, glassware and even rhubarb, as well as serving as a conduit for the spread of knowledge, ideas, cultures and diseases between different parts of the world (Ancient China, Ancient India, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean). Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor In the development of the great clvlllzatlons of China, India, Egypt, Persia, Arabia and Rome, and In several respects elped lay the foundations for the modern world. Although the term the Silk Road implies a continuous Journey, very few who traveled the route traversed it from end to end. For the most part, goods were transported by a series of agents on varying routes and were traded in the bustling mercantile markets of the oasis towns For More Into, Please see tnese llnKs 1 . http://library. thinkquest. org/13406/sr/ 2. http://www. spongobongo. com/zy9985. htm 3. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Silk_Road Silk Road The Silk Road is a historically important international trade route between China and he Mediterranean. Because silk comprised a large proportion of trade along this road, in 1877, it was named the Silk Road by Ferdinand von Richthofen, an eminent German geographer. Xian Terracotta Warriors Culture: The road is not only an ancient international trade route, but also a splendid cultural bridge liking the cultures of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greek and Rome. The Four Great Inventions of China and religions of the West were introduced into their counterparts. History: From the time Zhang Qian opened up the world-famous Silk Road during he Han Dynasty, until the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty, it enjoyed a history of about 1 ,600 years. Route: This ancient road begins at Changan (now Xian), then by way of the Hexi Corridor, and it reaches Dunhuang, where it divides into three, the Southern Route, Central Route and Northern Route. The three routes spread all over the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and then they extend as far as Pakistan, India and even Rome. Other roads: In fact, besides the Silk Road in the northwest of China, there are another two trade roads in the southwest of China and by sea, which also ontributed greatly to the development of the world. They are called the Southern Silk Road and the Silk Road on the Sea. Crescent Lake, Dunhuang, Gansu Scenery along the Road: The scenery and sights along the Silk Road are spectacular and intriguing. There are well-known Mogao Caves (Mogao Grottoes) in Dunhuang, the bustling Sunday Bazaar in Kashgar and exotic customs in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and more Silk Road Adventure: There are all kinds of tour plans for traveling the world-famous road. TravelChinaGuide provides many tour lines for visitors to experience the adventures of this ancient trade road. Recommenaea lours: Classical Silkroad Tour: 14 Days Beijing Urumqi Kashgar Urumqi Turpan Dunhuang Xian Shanghai In-depth Adventure: 22 Days Beijing Urumqi Korla Kuqa Aksu Kashgar Hettan Minfeng Korla Turpan Dunhuang Xian Shanghai More Silk Road Tours Tips: It is necessary for tourists be aware of some travel essentials when they are on the road, such as weather, food, drink, accommodation, transportation and customs of minorities. Here provides detailed information about them. Pictures: The pictures show the stunning scenery of this time-honored trade route.