This work is a history of one of the oldest trading route written by Oliver Wild in 1992. Article is also illustrated with some pictures. This article is a story of one of the oldest and most historically important trade routes in the world and its influences on the culture of China, Central Asia and the West.
Article features 9 topics from early history to modern restoration and tourism issues on Silk Road.
Article starts with description of the region, which unites China and West:
The region separating China from Europe and Western Asia is not the most hospitable in the world. Much of it is taken up by the Taklimakan desert, one of the most hostile environments on our planet. There is very little vegetation, and almost no rainfall; sandstorms are very common, and have claimed the lives of countless people. | 
