The Bezeklik Grottoes in the Flaming MountaingPhoto by Oliver Wild

The time, before the ancient Chinese closed their doors to expansion and trade, was the greatest time for China. Trade was prominent and there was a steady flow of money. One big question that comes to play is where did most of this trade take place? The Silk Road. One might think that the only thing traded on this famous trade route was silk. One might be wrong. Gold, rare animals and glass were also traded. But, mainly silk was traded. It wasnt easy to maneuver around the trade route because bandits and criminals wondered around looking for something valuable to steal. As a result, merchants had to pay to hire army men to protect them. Besides this, the route had a harsh environment. There are many frequent sand storms, and the temperature is unbearably hot by day and cold by night. In winter, temperatures drop below -20 Degrees Fahrenheit. Also, you have the Himalayas to the south. This is a very basic introduction to the Silk Road and by browsing this wonderful site; you will find much more information about the silk route.