The Silk Road: a Wondrous Journey

Oh yes, what a journey this is! Following the main ancient route, along which silk and other goods were transported to Europe from China. Starting at Xi'an, (formerly Chang'an), through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Iraq (little detours to Isfahan and Samarra), then Syria- from where ships departed across the Mediterranean-, and on into Turkey. I would have stopped at Istanbul but fancied an extension to Edirne in European Turkey.

Silk Road: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road

Silk: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk

History of Silk: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_silk

Mulberry Silkworm: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyx_mori