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| China and Hong Kong Home » China Tourism » Major Attractions in China » Historical Relics In China » Silk Road
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Silk Road |
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One of the important historical trading routes has been given the name Silk Road by one of the German scholars, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen. This east west trade road was first used by Zhang Qian. He was sent for a diplomatic mission during the rule of the Han dynasty. The Silk Road was not made with the purpose of trade was made in order to carry military expeditions as well as political motives.
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Zhang Qian traveled through Central Asia and informed the people living there about China and when he returned to China he did the same thing. Thus he made people of both the region know each other. He also told the people of both the parts about the various kinds of goods available in Central Asia and China. As the Persians and Romans were attracted to the Chinese silk and thus started the Silk trade.
Though known as the Silk Road , but still silk was not the only item or the major item of trade here. Only thirty percent of the trade constituted silk. Romans used to love silk so that they often used to exchange gold for Chinese silks. This road developed not only as a trading path but was also related to the political developments of the places. The trade on the silk road reached its zenith during the 8 th century during the rule of the Tang dynasty. The decline of the Tang dynasty during the 10 th century gave a serious blow to the trade. In the 13 th century, the trade through the Silk Road has completely declined. The discovery of a sea route between Europe and Asia was also responsible for the decline of this trade route.
The various routes of the silk road ran through the deserts, mountain ranges, as well as oasis. The Silk Road is mostly preserved but there are various difficulties while passing through this road. But these difficulties make the trip more fascinating as well. Moreover some parts of the road have disappeared in the sands as well. Still after all this, the Silk Road is considered to be an important tourist destination in China.
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