(Chapter 3) From ancient Silk Road to Prosperity of Suvarnabhumi in China


(Chapter 3) From ancient Silk Road to Prosperity of Suvarnabhumi in China

Connection of ancient silk road in China (Xi’an to Dunhuang)

Frontiers on Silk Road

Evidences show that there are a lot of frontiers to pass cities, 2 key stations are Jiāyù Guān and Dunhuang. Jiāyù Guān is the fort on west side of Great Wall of China, built in 1368. This is the main ancient frontier on China’s Silk Road, one of the oldest commercial routes in the world. Connecting Great Wall of China, Jiāyù Guān frontier is located in mountain plain of Gobi Desert where travelers pass through Silk Road. Another ancient frontier of China is Dunhuang, western area of Gansu County where main area is desert.

Lasting for 3,000 years, Mingsashan Sand Dune has played important role as origin of commercial route to Europe, with picturesque crescent moon lake that attracts merchant caravans as rest spot. Dunhuang also connects northern and southern routes of Xinjiang to Xi’an.

Presently, Chinese government has renovated this place to be cultural tourism destination to attract tourists by integrating knowledge about history in tourism activities and promote uniqueness of its landscape. Ancient building is created to simulate rest spot of merchant nearby crescent moon lake, the only lake in Mingsashan Sand Dune. This place also exhibits evidences found in surrounded area of the lake such as old tile, coin, and journal.