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Silk Road Caravan Trade System

Type Object Region Eurasia Time c. -200–1500

The Silk Road caravan trade system was a camel- and horse-based overland commercial network linking East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, and the Medit…

Timeline

  1. c. -200–-100Hexi Corridor · Hexi CorridorAfter Zhang Qian's missions to the Western Regions, caravan traffic in silk, jade, and horses developed between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, with the Hexi Corridor becoming the key corridor for caravan assembly and resupply.
  2. 618–907Chang'an · ShaanxiTang Chang'an was the eastern hub of the Silk Road; Sogdian, Persian, and Arab merchants formed transnational caravans, and relay stations, maritime trade offices, and market customs systems institutionalized caravan trade and radiated to Central Asian cities.
  3. 1206–1294Eurasian trade routes · Mongol Empire trade routesAfter the Mongols unified the Eurasian steppe in the early 13th century, the relay system (zhanchi) and customs protection allowed caravans to cross safely from Dadu to Persia; caravan trade was extremely active between CE 1201 and 1210.
  4. 1500–1800Mediterranean-Indian Ocean routes · Maritime Silk RoadAfter new sea routes opened, bulk goods such as spices and porcelain shifted to maritime transport; traditional overland caravans shrank sharply, oasis towns' commercial functions declined, and the caravan system gradually gave way to modern transport.

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