Even in the oldest times there were links between China and Europe. They resorted to trading merchandise, facilitating diplomatic contacts, and contributing to the knowledge of other cultures.
For the West, silk was the most important merchandise that went through Silk Road. The entire route was
named on this product.
A major problem was the safety of trade routes. From China to Egypt, robbers attacked caravans at the most difficult places of the road, taking away their goods. That is why the Han Empire granted the caravan a special military escort.
As the land route was developed, the sea route was also developed.
this is how caravans looked like on land
A European ship that marco Polo used on his silk road travels.
And this is eastern ship on the silk road
These trips lasted for quite a long time and up to several years.
Of course there were traders who have acquired great wealth but also those less fortunate who have lost all and some men their lives, this was a very difficult journey physically and mentally.
In modern times a merchant ship carried in one tour a whole of cargo that old fleet carried in a year.
The Silk Road today has only a romantic, adventurous meaning. Travels "Trail of Marco Polo" more and more tourists in these remote areas. China quickly realized the great tourist potential of these areas.
The most interesting on the silk route is the population and their way of life that has remained the same until today.
