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

Zhang Qian returned to Chang'an (now Xian).

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

Wei Qing and Huo Qubing (famed generals in Han Dynasty) severely defeated the Huns; the Hexi Corridor was brought under the Han Dynastys 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.

In 60 BC

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.

73-94

Ban Chao suppressed rebellions of some states in the Western Regions, which consolidated the dominion of the Han Dynasty and protected the Silk Road.

In 97

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.

123-126

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

In 618

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

In 629

The great monk, Xuanzang departed from Chang'an to India along the Silk Road to study Indian sutras.

In 630

The Tang Dynasty conquered the Eastern Turks.

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

Xuanzang returned to Chang'an with many Indian sutras.

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.

In 1206

Genghis Khan built the Mongol Empire.

1206-1227

Genghis Khan successively subdued Liao (Qidan), Jin and Xixia and other states in the Western Regions and West Asia. The Silk Road became prosperous again.

In 1271

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.

1271-1275

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

1275-1292

Marco Polo stayed in the court of Kublai Khan for 17 years; he became well acquainted with information about China, Central Asia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.

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.

1368-1404

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.

Eastern Han

Western Han

Tang Dynasty

Memorabilia along the Silk Road

Ban Chao

Ban Yong

Fu Jiezi

Marco Polo

Xuanzang

Zhang Qian