The early trade in silk was carried on against incredible odds by great caravans of merchants and animals traveling over some of the most inhospitable territory on the face of the earth--searing, waterless deserts and snowbound mountain passes. Beginning at the magnificent ancient city of Chang'an (Xi'an), the route took traders westward along the Hexi Corridor to the giant barrier of the Great Wall, then either north or south of the Takiamakan Desert to Kashgar before continuing on to India, to Iran or to the great cities of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. For today's traveler it is not only the weight of history that makes the Silk Road intriguing, but the incredible diversity of scenery and ethnic people along the way. This book is the authoritative guide to travel in the region. * The established companion guidebook for the Chinese section of the ancient route * Written and revised by authors who have more than 20 years' residence in China * Brief history of the development of the Silk Road * Impressions of places, people and peculiarities told through a selection of literary extracts * Includes William Dalrymple on a Uygur movie outing * Now in its fifth edition * Concise language sections in both Mandarin and Uygur * An essential aid to travel-planning back home and convenient to use on the road Read Less