The Northern Silk Road is an ancient trackway in northern China originating in the early capital of Xi’an and extending north of the Taklimakan Desert to reach the ancient kingdoms of Parthia, Bactria and eventually Persia and Rome.

One of the benefits of the Silk Road for the countries the route crossed is that it allowed people in these regions to trade goods, providing a source of money as well as access to goods that were not normally available in their region.

Positioned on the routes between the Roman Empire and the Chinese Han Empire, Parthia was a strategically important area for all trade between east and west, and indeed produced commerce itself to be traded, especially carpets and artisanal textiles.

What was a major benefit of the Silk Road? – It created a unified economy across all of Asia. – It shortened travel time between China and Europe for traders. – It connected the countries to the north of China for travel and trade.

• World Changing Technologies Came from the East.
• The Spread of Western Religions Changed the Culture.
• The Spread of Crops and Animals Eastwards Enabled Population Growth.
• The WWII Silk Road Helped Save China (1937–1945)
• The Potential of the Modern Silk Road.
• The Silk Road Is an Important Tourist Attraction.

There are some things to watch out for, but in general, it is not less safe than anywhere else in the world except Japan, Norway and Switzerland. Most travelers comment on the friendliness and hospitality of the people they meet. It really is exceptional, and goes for every country we discuss.

The Great Wall of China was expanded to provide extra protection. The Tang Dynasty reopened the route in 639 CE, but then lost it to the Tibetans in 678 CE. Control of the Silk Road would shuttle between China and Tibet until 737 CE. This second Pax Sinica helped the Silk Road reach its golden age.

The Silk Road is an almost mythical route in the minds of many travellers. To drive the ancient Silk Route would be many travellers ideal classic roadtrip. Unfortunately, re-creating the Silk Route journey is not an easy feat in modern times.

Travelers exchanged many goods across Asia, from shimmering silks to exotic spices. They also shared their music, art, and religions. These are some of the sounds that a traveler may have heard along the ancient Silk Road . Music was a way for people from different cultures to share ideas and tell stories.

I show that, over the past two millennia, the trade routes of the Silk Road brought almonds, apples, apricots, peaches, pistachios, rice, and a wide variety of other foods to European kitchens.

Animals are an essential part of the story of the Silk Road. While those such as sheep and goats provided many communities the essentials of daily life, horses and camels both supplied local needs and were keys to the development of international relations and trade.

Eventually sea routes connected to other parts of the Silk Road reaching coastal regions. As shipping technology continued to develop, it became easier and faster to transport goods by sea. By the 16th century, the Silk Road had largely fallen out of use (Rodrigue, pars. 1-5).