SIlk Road

One of the first main long distance trade routes started in China and central Asia around the 2nd century BCE. It was later named the Silk Road because silk was the main trade product that traveled throughout Eurasia. It was started by a man named Zhang Qian. This system of trade was very helpful to the economy and society, and lasted for a long time.
There were many different routes one could take and still be apart of the silk road. One would be the sea route, where they would start going South and travel along the water. Another would be starting on land in China and going West, until you hit the Taklimakan desert, which literelly means “who goes in does not come out” (..I would avoid that route as much as possible). At this point, it would break off into two routes to go around the Taklimakan desert and then would meet back up and continue West. (http://www.travelchinaguide.com/silk-road/culture.htm)
Silk was not the only thing being traded. From China, the would also be spices such as netmeg, pepper, giner and cinnamon. Also, they would send pearls and porcelain. The the West side, Rome would send a lot of jewlery, perfume, glassware wool, wine, olive oil and gold. (from lecture)