G6: Silk Road: Chang'An (Xi'An)

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Evidence shows that trade linkages with Europe began over 2,000 years ago: making Xi’an the oldest and arguably most important Silk Roads related site in China.

Emperor Wu sent a mission in 138 BC, originally to form a diplomatic alliance, but ended up planting the seed for further travels that would establish the Silk Road.

"At the height of its glory in the mid-eighth century, Chang'an was the most populous, cosmopolitan, and civilized city in the world"

Meticulously planned, Chang'an, as is typical of most Chinese cities, was laid out like a chessboard and aligned on the cardinal points of the compass.