The Silk Road takes its name from the valuable silk trade that began during China’s Han dynasty (207 BCE–220 CE). Around 114 BCE, the Han dynasty expanded the Central Asian trade routes through the explorations of imperial envoy Zhang Qian. Beyond silk, the Silk Road became a vast network connecting Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, the Horn of Africa, and Arabia — exchanging not only goods but also religions, philosophies, sciences, and technologies such as paper and gunpowder. It was as much a cultural highway as a trade route.

In modern times, China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative echoes this legacy, aiming to connect nearly 70 countries through infrastructure and economic collaboration.

In June 2019, I embarked on a journey tracing the ancient Silk Road’s path. From the historic crossroads of Samarkand in Uzbekistan to Istanbul — bridging Asia and Europe — I ventured through Piraeus, Greece, home to China’s first overseas-owned port, and concluded my expedition in Rome, Italy. This journey was a personal exploration of history, culture, and connection woven along this timeless road.