Han mission to the West

Zhang Qian · 138 BCE – 126 BCE · Earth

Han mission to the West — Zhang Qian · 138 BCE – 126 BCE · Earth — Recorded expedition route · schematic map

Seek an alliance against the Xiongnu and report on the western kingdoms.

Historical context

The Han court sought allies against the Xiongnu and knowledge of the kingdoms beyond the deserts. Zhang Qian's reports opened the trade routes later called the Silk Road.

The voyage, step by step

  1. Departure from Chang'an

    138 BCE

    Emperor Wu sends Zhang Qian west to seek allies against the Xiongnu.

  2. Captured by the Xiongnu

    133 BCE

    Zhang Qian is seized and held for years before escaping to continue west.

  3. Ferghana and its horses

    128 BCE

    He reaches the kingdom of Dayuan and reports its fabled horses.

  4. Bactria and the road home

    126 BCE

    Zhang Qian reaches Bactria, then returns with detailed reports of the western kingdoms.

Outcome

Reached Ferghana and Bactria and returned with detailed intelligence.

Zhang Qian

Han dynasty envoy whose missions to Central Asia opened the Silk Road and gave China its first reliable knowledge of the West.

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Sources

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