Routes of the Silk Road
The Silk Road was first pioneered by Zhang Qian during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) and gradually developed into a vast network of overland trade routes linking East Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
During the Han Dynasty, the route began in Chang’an, today’s Xi’an, one of the most important capitals in ancient China. From there, it extended westward across Gansu Province, passing through key cities such as Tianshui, Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Jiayuguan before reaching Dunhuang at the edge of the Hexi Corridor.
Dunhuang served as a crucial hub where the Silk Road branched into three major routes: the Southern Route, the Central Route, and the Northern Route. These routes spread across what is now the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and beyond.
The Southern Route
The Southern Route followed the northern foothills of the Kunlun Mountains. It passed through important oasis towns including Ruoqiang, Qiemo, Hotan, Yecheng, Shache, and finally reached Kashgar, the westernmost city of the Silk Road within China. Beyond Kashgar, merchants crossed the Pamir Plateau and continued toward South Asia via Kashmir, or further west through Central and West Asia toward Europe.
The Central Route
Running along the southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, the Central Route connected Loulan, Turpan, Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, and Kashgar. After crossing the Pamirs, it extended into Central Asia through the Fergana Valley, Samarkand, and Bukhara, eventually merging with the Southern Route.
The Northern Route
The Northern Route traveled along the northern side of the Tianshan Mountains. From eastern Xinjiang, it led through Hami, Urumqi, and Yining, and continued westward toward the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean region.
According to historians, the total length of the Silk Road reached approximately 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles), with about 3,000 kilometers located within China. Today, its legacy stretches across Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang, symbolizing centuries of exchange between China and the civilizations of Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Europe.
Although the Silk Road is no longer a trade artery, it remains a powerful cultural corridor. With improved transportation and preserved historical sites, modern travelers can now retrace this legendary route and experience the landscapes, cities, and cultures that once connected the ancient world.