From
200 BC into the beginning of the 3rd century, the early trade in Chinese
silk was carried across the country by caravans of merchants battling
against incredible odds. Heading towards the rich Roman Empire, traders
travelled with their goods on camels and horses, and would take many
months to cross the vast and inhospitable terrain. The demand for the
luxuries of silk, as well as gem stones, textiles and furs laid down
well-established trade routes that would continue for centuries as the
link from Eastern to Western society.
The
Silk Route of China began in the ancient city of Xi’an. The route
took traders westwards into the Gansu Province along the Hexi Corridor
towards Jiayuguan, the city at the giant barrier of the Great Wall.
Traders then continued to Dunhuang, at the western-most point of the
Hexi Corridor. Dunhuang is still one of the most well-known Chinese
historical and cultural cities, which initially was built and thrived
on the historic trade route for Chinese luxuries. The Hexi Corridor
finally ends at the city of Xinjiang, and the Silk Route then broke
into three main passes. These routes ran perilously across mountain
ranges and over vast plains, reaching scoring temperatures by day and
plummeting to freezing conditions at night.
The
Silk Route then passed north-west through the province of Xinjiang,
traversing desolate wind-swept deserts, winding over miles of snow-capped
peaks and high mountain ranges. There were numerous difficulties and
obstacles in crossing the region, yet its treacherous and varied landscape
made it more visually fascinating and breath-taking than earlier sections
of the route.
Today
the Silk Route commands the same mystery and diversity as it did in
the 2nd century. The rugged landscape and wild open spaces, combined
with bustling cities and their inhabitants make the Silk Route as culturally
vibrant and distinctive as ever.
These
photographs were taken in November 2005, when travelling the northern
section of the route, visiting the cities of Xi’an, Jiayuguan,
Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Kashgar and the Karakul Lake.
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