Mint Mocha Musings

The hotelier's wife: an expat affair around the globe

  • Home
  • About Mint Mocha Musings
    • Contact Nicole
  • Blog Posts
    • Asian Adventures
    • Pacific Playgrounds
    • Expat Encounters
    • Repatriation Realities
    • Hotel Confessions
    • Motherhood Moments
    • Media Matters
    • China Culture
  • Work With Me
  • My Books!
    • My BOOKS
  • You’ll Find Me At….
    • Reviews/Interviews
    • Sunday Life
    • Sydney Morning Herald
    • Australian Hotelier Magazine
    • Mamamia
    • Kidspot
    • Essential Baby/Essential Kids
    • Huffington Post
    • FairPlanet.Org
    • Hong Kong Moms
    • JumpStart Magazine Hong Kong
    • AsiaSpa Magazine
    • W Hotel Hong Kong
    • Women With Words Hong Kong
    • The HK Hub
    • Expat Focus
    • SASSYmama/SASSYHongKong
    • Playtimes Magazine
    • Expats blog: an experience shared
    • expat blog
  • Snap of the Day in China
  • Word of the Week
  • Sponsored Posts/Reviews & Partnerships
  • Free Updates, Tips & Giveaways!
  • Travel Asia
    • China
      • Xi’an
      • Shanghai
      • Beijing
      • Guilin
      • Shenzhen
      • Hangzhou
      • Chengdu
      • Luoyang
      • Sanya
      • Guangzhou
    • Tibet
    • Hong Kong
    • Macau
    • Thailand
    • Singapore
  • Travel Pacific
    • New Caledonia
    • Fiji
  • Expats Transferring $$ Home
You are here: Home / Asian Adventures / Travelling the Famous ‘Silk Road’ in the 21st Century: Will You Take the Journey?

Travelling the Famous ‘Silk Road’ in the 21st Century: Will You Take the Journey?

by Nicole Webb

Silk Road China

Amongst the plethora of news that permeates our daily lives from the tele, the radio, the internet, our inbox, social media….there’s a small chance you may have heard (or read) a brief snippet about the re-emergence of the historic SILK ROAD?

You may or may not have given it a fleeting thought….perhaps a brief ‘What is that?’ ‘Where is that, again?’

Let me enlighten you!

In the broadest sense, it is the oldest overland trade route linking the ancient world from the East to the West. 

Silk Road goods

2000 years ago, everything from exquisite cottons, exotic spices to metals and ceramics, scrolls of paintings, even gunpowder and of course piles and piles of cascading silk in every vivid color conceivable was carried along on the backs of camels, ferried from one side of the world to the other.  

By default, the Silk Road has come to my attention with a little more vigor of late because ‘Xi’an’ was once the eastern most point on this now renowned ancient trading route. 

You may have heard me mention before that Xi’an has been a city of great significance. (And of course as every local will tell you, it still is!) 😉

The capital of 13 dynasties over 1200 years, Xi’an is by no means to be underestimated.

And now, it looks like it may return to its former glory with a pledge from Chinese President Xi Jinping to rebuild the Silk Road – in his ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative. 

Xi'an Airport

Xi’an Airport

So perhaps you’re wondering why this city, seemingly in the middle of nowhere became such a significant hub for trade in the first place?

At the risk of turning this into a history lesson and boring both of us senseless, I’ll be as short and sweet as possible with the details. 

It formerly began in the Han Dynasty (around 206 BC to 220 AD) when emperors got word there was a rich and strong state in the West, (namely India). The Han Emperor ‘Wu Di’ sent his men to investigate but they were captured along the way (for ten years no less). Managing to escape a decade later, amazingly they set off continuing the mammoth journey to India.

Emperors soon realized the huge potential for trade and commerce and the travelers were sent back along the vast and arduous stretch with an abundance of items in their load, including China’s famed silk, which quickly became a hit and reached as far as Rome, where it became a valued commodity.

Ferrying Silk along the Silk Road

(Until this time, silk in China was precious and protected. Reserved exclusively for the Chinese ruler and his wife, inside the palace they wore robes of pure white silk, outside yellow was the colour of the season.)

Yellow Silk Robes Han Dynasty

Gradually though, it became more acceptable for all classes of society to wear tunics made from the prized silk.

Then it became used for industrial goods like musical instruments and fishing lines, even paper…

At one point it was as valuable as gold and farmers even paid their taxes in silk. 

Thus, the Silk Road began in Xi’an (which was then known as Chang’an) and wove through the Hexi Corridor (West of the Yellow River) to Dunhuang, where it divided into three routes, the southern, the central and Northern. All wound through unmarked and treacherous pathways along the edges of deserts and over mountain roads, through the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region as far as Pakistan, India and Rome. 

Silk Road Map

Trivial Fact: The Silk Road is actually a collective name given to three ancient trade routes…the Silk Road in the North west of China, the Southern Silk Road and the Silk Road on the Sea.

Three routes of silk road

Caravans of camels stretching as far as the eye could see, one behind the other, wound their way through rugged terrains day and night carrying important cargo. According to history the two humped camels (bred specifically for the Silk Road) were the most capable of managing the diverse landscape.

Travelling the Silk Road

Few people traveled the 6,500 kilometre Silk Road stretch from one end to the other as great explorer Marco Polo did in 1271. His detailed descriptions of China’s culture, politics and economy encouraged and inspired other Westerners to travel to this vast land in the East. 

For China, the effects of the Silk Road on industry were felt immediately and as you might imagine, the birth of the Silk Road brought all sorts of strange and wonderful ideas to China — politics, family relationships, philosophy and religion were forever exposed to new concepts.

This was the original information super-highway…carrying everything from goods to philosophy (even disease)!

Silk Road travel camels

In 652, a Chinese Monk returned from India after spending 18 years studying Buddhism..with him he brought manuscripts and Buddhist texts to be transcribed into Chinese. These were housed in the temple which ironically stands tall directly across the road from the Westin Hotel…The Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Pagoda Silk Road

Meantime, Xi’an was a hustle and bustle of activity. Outside Xi’an’s majestic city wall, traders camped in colorful tents; clusters of camels were tied up outside the wall….while merchants offloaded and stocked up on supplies.

Xi'an Silk Road Camels

The frenzied trade from Arab merchants saw the emergence of the colorful, vibrant hub that is today one of Xi’an’s most famous tourist destinations, the Muslim Quarter.

Merchants and Silk Road traders locals called the ‘Hui’ people settled here and many married Han Chinese women. Today many of their descendants still remain here.

A tight knit community, the Muslim Quarter covers several blocks and houses 20,000 people, including ten mosques.

China Muslim Street

A buzzing hive of activity, a unique blend of Muslim culture and Chinese tradition is on display in the maze of narrow lane ways, branding a multitude of traditional food and souvenir stalls. 

Muslim Street Stall  Xi'an

Food Stall Muslim Quarter Xian

Muslim Quarter Life

Veer off the main stretch and you’ll see fascinating sights as the locals busily go about their day. Wooden bird cages sit at the feet of retailers, rickety bikes lean up against small shops, and heavy cauldron-like pots bubble away out the front, wafting delicious smells from traditional dumplings to baked bread, tasty meat skewers and crisp toffee, even fresh pomegranate juice, pressed on the pavement.

Behind the Scenes Muslim Quarter China

Muslim Quarter retailers

So while it’s clear the Muslim Quarter is alive and well today, what happened to the good old Silk Road?

Eventually, overland trade just became increasingly dangerous and travel by sea was naturally more popular; trade along the Silk Road declined and by the end of the 14th Century it was almost non-existent.

You can still see the ruins of the once flourishing capitals that dotted the Silk Route.

Jiaohe Silk road ruins

Jioahe Ruins, Silk Road Xinjiang

Five centuries later, and the current President of China has flagged the idea of a rebirth of the Silk Road, an  Economic Belt if you like (which is of course being hotly pursued by the world’s global powers, eager to solidify their influence in the East and West.)

It was 2103, when President Xi Jinping first made the announcement, but ironically it barely got a mention in the global media.

Two years later it’s a different story. As the centerpiece of of the President’s foreign policy and an international economic strategy, it’s all systems go.

Goodbye camels and hello trains that will be capable of transporting goods 12,000 kilometres from China to the Mediterranean, much master than by sea. 

Rail in China Silk Road

China’s challenge — to design this new super highway while reducing prohibitive import and export tariffs so business between the East and West can thrive.

It has the potential to channel 150-million tourists to those countries along the new Silk Road.

China also plans to attract 85 million tourists on home soil.

The estimated cost: $21-trillion.

Currently there are 200 projects underway, including $80 billion dollars to upgrade connectivity with at least 15 new regional air hubs in places like Xi’an, Xiamen and Kunming.

21 years ago, 19 countries gathered in Uzbekistan to discuss the rebirth of this legendary route…today the reality is closer than ever.

So the next time you hear or see a snippet on the news about the mystical Silk Road….you’ll understand the significance in reinventing this historic trade route, particularly for Xi’an.

Currently the biggest city in the country’s north west, in the next couple of decades it will supposedly double its urban population to become a mega-city! 

Stay tuned.

This is China! 

Silk Road ruins Taxkorgan Xinjiang

Stone City, Silk Road, Taxkorgan

Related Posts

  • Ground Hog Day: This is what life in China’s Coronavirus lockdown is really like.Ground Hog Day: This is what life in China’s Coronavirus lockdown is really like.
  • Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors: The Largest Jigsaw in the World Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors: The Largest Jigsaw in the World
  • Living in China: Week One –            One Foot in Front of the OtherLiving in China: Week One – One Foot in Front of the Other
  • Stop the Press: We’re Moving to China!Stop the Press: We’re Moving to China!
  • CHINA BLONDE: How a  newsreader’s search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance….and peroxide pandemonium in China.CHINA BLONDE: How a newsreader’s search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance….and peroxide pandemonium in China.
  • China’s Coronavirus ComebackChina’s Coronavirus Comeback

Enjoyed that post? If so, why not sign up to Mint Mocha Musings so you don't miss a thing! Updates, Tips and Freebies

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profile

Nicole Webb

Nicole is a journalist and writer (former News Reader with Sky News Australia) who, back in 2010, took a leap of faith and embarked on a journey to the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong! Fast forward four years, and Nicole, her hotelier husband and toddler stepped things up a notch and moved to Central China, where they lived in Xi'an for 2.5 years. Back in Sydney after a whirlwind adventure, Nicole continues her musings! Check out Mint Mocha Musings for plenty of intriguing, humorous and uplifting tales from her expat life in Asia so far. You can also find her on Twitter: @nicoledwebb. and Instagram at Mint Mocha Musings.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profile

Latest posts by Nicole Webb (see all)

  • Back to School: Helping Children to Adjust During the Coronavirus Pandemic -
  • China Blonde Musings -
  • CHINA BLONDE: How a newsreader’s search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance….and peroxide pandemonium in China. -

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Asian Adventures, Expat Encounters Tagged With: China, One Belt, One Road, Rebirth of the Silk Road, Silk Road, Silk Road Ruins, Xi'an

Search here …

Order China Blonde here!

http://www.nicolewebbonline.com

Expats – Need to Transfer Money Home?

sending money home

NordVPN

Need a VPN

ClearFx Currency Converter Add this to your site
Australians living in Hong Kong
Support for repatriation!
Paperblog
Australian Women Bloggers Directory by Blog Chicks
Tripoto
Expat Interview
iCompareFX.com Expat Blog Awards 2017
Follow
Top 20 Expats Blogs 2017

VOTE NOW

Banners for Asian Expat Blogs Award 2018

Follow Me on Twitter!

  • Congratulations on your new book Animal Liberation Now @PeterSinger ! And a great, thought provoking podcast with… https://t.co/HJugr7UZDX 06:29:12 PM June 13, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • A thoughtful interview by @SarahGrynberg on #ALifeofGreatness. Sarah's known for her in depth podcast, chatting wi… https://t.co/xDw9QMBSS3 03:42:13 PM June 13, 2023 from Twitter Web App ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • @mazymixer Hilarious isn’t it!!! 09:41:30 AM June 13, 2023 from Twitter for iPhone in reply to mazymixer ReplyRetweetFavorite
@nicoledwebb

Instagram

Follow Me!

Like Our Adventures on Facebook!

Top Posts & Pages

  • Contact Nicole
    Contact Nicole
  • About Mint Mocha Musings
    About Mint Mocha Musings
  • Eight Cultural Taboos in China You Really Ought to Know....
    Eight Cultural Taboos in China You Really Ought to Know....
  • China's Paradise on Earth - Hangzhou!  Is it Worth a Visit?
    China's Paradise on Earth - Hangzhou! Is it Worth a Visit?
  • Bridesmaids for Hire: This is China, Where it's More Than Just Holding the Bouquet!
    Bridesmaids for Hire: This is China, Where it's More Than Just Holding the Bouquet!
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine: That Time I Tried Acupuncture in China....Alone!
    Traditional Chinese Medicine: That Time I Tried Acupuncture in China....Alone!
  • Leaving Las Vegas! There's a New(ish) Kid on the Block - Viva Macau!
    Leaving Las Vegas! There's a New(ish) Kid on the Block - Viva Macau!
  • Shenzhen! There's more to China's fastest growing city than shopping...
    Shenzhen! There's more to China's fastest growing city than shopping...
  • Beyond the Five Star Gates, Poverty Knocks!
    Beyond the Five Star Gates, Poverty Knocks!
  • Four Good Reasons You Need to Travel to China
    Four Good Reasons You Need to Travel to China

© Copyright 2014 Mint Mocha Musings · All Rights Reserved · Graphics by Miss Pickles · Design by Project Prettify ·

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d