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A Chinese explorer of the Han Dynasty, the first
man to bring back reliable information of the lands in central Asia
to China.
In 138 BC, with a task of creating relations with
the Da Yuezhi people against Hun, Zhang Qian was dispatched to the
Western Regions by the emperor of the Han Dynasty Wudi.
Unfortunately, on the way to the Western regions, he was captured
by the Huns as hostage. Detained by Huns for about ten years, Zhang
Qian finally found a chance to flee. After escaping and continuing
the journey, Zhang Qian eventually found the Da Yuezhi in Northern
India. However, satisfied with their life, the Da Yuezhi refused
to form an alliance against the Hun. On the return journey, Zhang
Qian and his delegation were captured by another tribe, and it was
not until 125 B.C. that they returned to China. Though he failed
to achieve a military alliance with the Da Yuezhi, he was well acquainted
with the geography, people, customs and cultures of the 36 kingdoms
of the Western Regions. The Han emperor was interested in what they
had seen and sent more expeditions to west.
In 119 B.C., with 300 men, 10,000 sheep, extra
mounts and quantities of gold and silk, Zhang Qian set off on his
second trip. Attempted to seek alliance with Wu-sun people, Zhang
Qian traveled Dunhuang, Loulan, Kuqa, then the capital of Wu-sun
kingdom in the Ili River. His missions to the west led to the formalization
of trade, especially the silk trade, between China and Persia. Zhang
Qian died in 113 B.C.
More travellers:
Ban Chao

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