A Silken Touch

Alluring, caressing, deceptively delicate, silk's natural charms have been seducing emperors and commoners alike for more than 5000 years. Silk has shaped history, created dynasties, destroyed empires, spurred innovation, inspired military conquests and left an indelible imprint on political, economic and religious powerhousing across two continents.

In 139 BC, the world's longest road, stretching from Eastern China to the Mediterranean Sea, was opened. In addition to tangible commodities such as gold and jade, new ideas, cultures and religions also passed along this route. This was the historically famous "Silk Road," the world's oldest distribution system, a treacherous route described by the monk, Faxian in the fourth century as one where "the only road-signs are the skeletons of the dead. Wherever they lie, there lies the road to India." (For one of the most memorable short stories of the Silk Road, read Ted Chiang's "Stories of Your Life.")

Endlessly fascinating, the story of silk and the Silk Road is also a story of human journeys, human desires, human longings and ultimately human endeavour. Explore the Silk Road's historical contribution to the diffusion of art and culture through the continuing Silk Road project and be part of the ancient tradition that continues to influence life all over the world.