Zhang Qian was born in Chenggu (the present Chenggu County of Shaanxi Province) of Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD). He was an outstanding envoy and explorer in Chinese history, opening up the ancient Silk Road and bringing reliable information about the Western Regions. 
Zhang Qian
During the reign of the Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), the Huns (Xiongnu) often intruded into the northern borders of the Han Empire, so the emperor was making preparations to fight against the Huns. When he knew Da Yuezhi (an ancient state in Amu Darya) had a feud with the Huns, because its king was killed by the Huns' Chanyu (the headman of Hunnish tribes) and the head made into a goblet, he decided to unite with this state to combat their common enemy. Therefore, Zhang Qian was sent as a diplomatic envoy to the Western Regions.
In 139 BC, with about 100 people, Zhang Qian departed from Longxi (in Gansu Province). Unfortunately, Zhang Qian and the delegation were captured by the Huns when they reached the Hexi Corridor and detained for ten years as hostage. Finally, they found a chance to flee. They crossed deserts and the Gobi, and went over the snow-covered Pamirs. After about ten days, they arrived in Dawan (in Fergana Basin). Under the help of a Dawan's guide, they went through Kangju (between Balkhash Lake and the Aral Sea) and reached Da Yuezhi.
To Zhang Qian's surprise, satisfied with their life, the Da Yuezhi people refused to make an alliance against the Huns. Besides, they thought it was impossible to resist the Huns together because they were far away from the Han Dynasty. Zhang Qian made an on-the-spot investigation in Daxia (Balkh) and other countries for more than one year. In 128 BC, Zhang Qian decided to return to Chang'an (the ancient name of Xian). On their return journey, they were captured by the Huns again and detained for more than one year. In 126 BC, Zhang Qian seized the opportunity provided by internal disorder among the Huns. He escaped and reached Chang'an. Although he failed to finish the mission to make a military alliance with Da Yuezhi, he obtained a great deal of knowledge about the people, geography, culture and customs of 36 states in the Western Regions.
In 119 BC, Zhang Qian set off on his second journey to the Western Regions, in order to ally with Wusun (in Ili) Valley) against the Huns. At that time, the Huns had been expelled from the Hexi Corridor, so Zhang Qian reached Wusun easily. Then he sent other envoys to Dawan, Kangju, Da Yuezhi, Anxi (Parthia, in now Iran), Juandu (present India), Yutian (Hetian) and other countries. In 115 BC, the king of Wusun put an interpreter and a guide at Zhan Qian's disposal. Moreover, Wusun's ten envoys convoyed Zhang Qian to Chang'an. He died there in 114 BC. Then the diplomatic envoys he sent came back in droves. Finally, the Han Dynasty was able to build good relationships with states of the Western Regions.
Related link: Silk Road in Western Han Dynasty
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Travelers' Voices on Zhang Qian
1.
Nov. 19,2009 14:06 Reply
Ms.Savannah(USA) said:
I need suggestions on an idea for a project for the silk road. I have to dress up as somebody who went on the silk road. I want to be a woman. I have to know what tribe or culture, I have to live between the 3rd bc and 14th ad century. I have to know what was happening in my lifetime. Why did I embark on this very dangerous journey. What did I contribute to the culture of the silk road. Do you have any suggestions who I can be?
2.
Oct. 9,2009 02:36 Reply
Ms.Girl(USA) said:
I need help. I am writing a paper on Zhang Qian. i need to know about his early life.
Oct. 9,2009 04:45
Mr.Simpson replied:
There is no such a detailed record about his early life. Historic record begins when he was an outstanding envoy. He was a great man.
3.
Jun. 1,2009 22:41 Reply
Mr.Kelvin said:
Where is Zhang Qian buried? is it possible to visit his tomb, if it is still around?
Jun. 2,2009 02:14
Mr.Zhen replied:
Zhangqian is buried in Zhangqian Memorial Hall which is located in Raojiaying Village about 2.3km to the west of Chenggu County in Hanzhong in Shaanxi Province. It is a place in memory of Zhangqian. The ticket costs CNY 6.
Jul. 6,2009 11:39
Mr.nicolas(greece) replied:
Most grateful to you Mr Kelvin! I'll check it out immediately.
4.
Jul. 5,2009 14:43 Reply
Mr.nicolas(Greece) said:
PLEAAAASE,can anybody give me the DETAILED route of Zhang Qian,with the modern Chinese placenames? I can't find it anywhere! The one in Wikipedia is very rough,and no other English site has the route.We are doing the Silk Roads and want to follow part of his route,so we need exact modern names to connect the dots.
Thanx a lot,
Nicolas
Jul. 5,2009 20:15
Mr.Leo replied:
The route of Zhang Qian is said to follow in this way: Changan(长安)-Dunhuang(敦煌)-Loulan(楼兰)-Qiuci(龟兹)-Shule(疏勒)-Dayuan(大宛)-Dayuezhi(大月氏)-Daxia(大夏)-Shache(莎车)-Yutian(于阗)-Shanshan(鄯善)
Hope it helps!
5.
May. 31,2009 21:25 Reply
Mr.kelvin said:
Where is the present country this ancient state of da yuezhi and daxia located?
Besides these 2 states what others countries by modern names Zhang Qian visited?
And why he did not continue exploring further west after that? After all Silk route didnt end at da yuezhi.
Jun. 1,2009 04:13
Mr.Jim replied:
The ancient state of da yuezhi was once located between Qilian Mountain and Tianshan Mountain, that is about the present eastern Gansu and western Xinjiang. He did not explore further west by himself, but he sent envoys to continue the journey.
6.
May. 28,2009 01:07 Reply
Mr.lim(malaysia) said:
How did Zhang Qian communicate with local people of various countries then?
I'm sure he knew only mandarin or is it something else in ancient China.The
people he met along the silk route surely had their own languages. And unlike
modern times, translators were non existent then, almost.
May. 30,2009 20:47
Mr.Knowitall replied:
The record said the emperor sent some translators to go with Zhang Qian.
7.
May. 28,2009 01:26 Reply
Mr.Wong(Malaysia) said:
So how they travelled then? Walking or riding horses or cow? Were there guest
houses along the silk route to provide temporary shelter, changing currencies, etc? or just depend on local people generousity for food n shelter?
May. 30,2009 20:44
Mr.Sam replied:
They rided horses while travel such a long distance. Horses are fast. There are guest houeses along the silk road and the relics can be seen today. When the ancient people traveled, they would bring food by themsevles and also depended on local people's generousity for food and shelter.
8.
May. 21,2009 03:41 Reply
Mr. WONG(mALAYSIA) said:
.HOW ON EARTH THIS ANCIENT PEOPLE KNEW THE DIRECTION TO THESE WEIRD COUNTRIES WHEN COMPASS OR
HIGHWAY OR MODERN TRANSPORT ARE NOT INVENTED YET? THE SILK ROUTE SOMETIMES DISAPEARED UNDER SAND IN THE DESERT.
May. 21,2009 04:44
Mr.Su replied:
They have many ways to know the direction, of course the compass would help. But before the compass was invented, the travelers would hire a local people to guide the way, or they had maps, or they asked people the directions when they traveled. Now the silk road route is indeed disappeared under sand in the desert, but in ancient times, it was beautiful oasis instead of desert, the environment was better at that times.
Hope it helps!
9.
May. 12,2009 21:12 Reply
Mr.anonymous(caa\) said:
on the second journey what were the things that he brought back to china?
May. 13,2009 02:57
Mr.WANG replied:
He brought the fine horses, western fruits and spices from west to China.
May. 15,2009 18:43
Mr.anonymous(ca) replied:
well mr.wang, isnt't what he brought back glasswares instead of spices? i wonder
May. 17,2009 20:17
Mr.Jeremy(China) replied:
Mr.anonymous, he brought back both spices and glasswares and other curiosities from the west.
10.
Dec. 11,2008 14:14 Reply
Ms.Jackson(Mont.) said:
Was Zhang Qian ever took over a King of his country?
Mar. 23,2009 16:42
Ms.Foltz(Indyana)(U.S.A.) replied:
Zhang Qian is just a famous explorer in Chinese history, as well one of the first hundred to travel on the Silk Road