Memorabilia along the Silk Road

In 141 BC

Han Wudi succeeded to the throne.

In 139 BC

Zhang Qian was dispatched by Wudi to the Western Regions in order to make a military alliance with Da Yuezhi against the Huns.

In 126 BC

In 119 BC

Zhang Qian set out on his second journey to the Western Regions to unite Wusun against the Hun. The Silk Road originated at this time.

129 BC-119 BC

Generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing defeated the Huns; the Hexi Corridor was brought under the Han Dynasty's control.

In 77 BC

Fu Jiezi worked out a clever way to kill the king of Loulan, which overawed other states in the Western Regions and ensured peace on the road.

During the reign of the Han Xuandi (74 BC-49 BC)

Feng Liao, a great women diplomat, actively mediated the disputes of Wusun and other states in the Western Regions, which made the road flow freely. 

Han Dynasty established the Protectorate of Western Regions with its administration centre in Wulei (near now Luntai), overseeing the 36 states in this vast northwest area.

In order to establish trade with Rome directly, Gan Ying was sent by Ban Chao to Daqin (now Rome); however, he only reached the Persian Gulf.

Using clever diplomacy and military talent, Ban Yong stabilized the Western Regions and reopened the Silk Road in this remote area.

The Tang Dynasty was established with its capital at Chang'an (now Xi'an)

In 630

In 640

To strengthen its military management and to protect the Silk Road, the Protectorate General to Pacify the West was installed with four garrisons: Qiuci (Kuqa), Yanqi (Qarashar), Yutian (Hetian or Khotan) and Shule (Kashgar)

In 645

In 658

The Western Turks was completely subdued by the Tang Dynasty.

In 702

Tang Dynasty set up the Protectorate General of Beiting with the military center in Tingzhou (now Jimsar) in order to manage the Northern Route of the Silk Road.

In 751

The method for making paper was transmitted to the West.

In 755

Anshi Rebellion broke out and lasted for seven years. After the rebellion, the Silk Road began to decline.

The Mongolian ruler Kublai Khan established a Chinese dynasty at Dadu (the present Beijing) with the largest territory in Chinese history including the Central Asia and Russia. As a result, the road reinstated its vigor and became busy again. 

Marco Polo traveled along the ancient Silk Road to China with his father and uncle.

1275-1292

In 1298

The Travels of Marco Polo came out, which became the most influential travelogue and paved the way for the arrivals of many Westerners.

Tiemuer, a descendant of Genghis Khan, established a powerful empire in Samarkand with the vast territory from New Delhi in the south to Damascus in the north, from the Aral Sea to the Persian Gulf. Samarkand became an important international trade centre of the Silk Road. As the Tiemuer Empire collapsed, the road gradually fell into disuse.