what was the silk route 
the silk route was a historic trade route that was used from the second century b c until the 14th century a d it stretched from asia to the mediterranean traversing china india persia arabia greece and italy it was called the silk route because of the silk trading that took place during that period this luxurious fabric originated in china which had a monopoly on its production until the secrets of its creation spread in addition to silk the route facilitated the trade of other fabrics spices grains fruits and vegetables animal hides wood and metalwork precious stones and other items of value in 2013 china announced plans to revive the silk route connecting it with more than 60 countries in asia europe africa and the middle east understanding the silk routethe silk route was not a single road but a network of land and sea paths that connected china and the far east with countries in europe and the middle east a series of trading posts and markets sprouted up along the route to enable the storage transport and exchange of goods it was also known as the silk road travelers used camel or horse caravans and stayed in guest houses or inns spaced one day s travel apart travelers along the silk route s maritime routes could stop at ports for fresh drinking water and trade opportunities archaeologists and geographers pursuing research have been the silk route s most modern travelers the opening of the silk route brought many products that would have a big impact on western history commodities that had their roots in china included gunpowder and paper these became some of the most traded goods between china and its western trading partners paper was especially important as it was key to the use of the printing press enabling the mass circulation of newspapers and books history of the silk routethe original silk route was established during the han dynasty by zhang quian a chinese official and diplomat during a diplomatic mission quian was captured and detained for 13 years on his first expedition before escaping and pursuing other routes from china to central asia the silk route was popular during the tang dynasty from 618 to 907 a d travelers could choose among a number of land and sea paths to reach their destination the routes evolved along with territorial boundaries and changes in national leadership the silk route was a means to exchange goods and share innovations it had a role in the development of science technology literature and the arts the silk route was traveled by buddhist and european monks and was instrumental in spreading buddhism christianity islam and hinduism across borders reviving the silk routein 2013 china began to officially restore the historic silk route under president xi jinping with a 900 billion strategy called one belt one road obor the project is intended to improve china s interconnectivity with more than 60 other countries in asia europe and east africa also known as the belt and road initiative bri it traverses numerous land and sea routes the silk road economic belt is primarily land based connecting china with central asia eastern europe and western europe while the 21st century maritime silk road is sea based connecting china s southern coast to the mediterranean africa southeast asia and central asia china views the venture as an important way to improve its domestic growth it also serves as a way to open up new trade markets for chinese goods giving the country the cheapest and easiest way to export materials and goods critics including malaysian prime minister mahathir mohamad say china is using the bri to lend to countries who may default as a way of getting economic or political concessions china has passed several milestones related to the obor including the signing of hundreds of deals since 2016 in january 2017 a new rail service using the east wind freight train was introduced from beijing to london along the historic route passing beneath the english channel to reach london the 16 to 18 day journey travels nearly 7 500 miles and allows freight shippers an alternative to slower water routes and expensive air routes other key obor routes go from china to 14 major european cities 1