Backpacking the Silk Road
From Marco Polo and ancient Buddhists to modern day travelers, the Silk Road has been traveled by millions, possibly even billions of people at this point. People have been crossing what is actually a series of roads for thousands of years. The collection of roads passes from China all the way to Europe by way of Greece. Thousands of years ago silk was transported from China to Italy, or what was known as the Roman Empire back then, through the Silk Road. These pathways have seen a lot of people, ideas, wars, and times. The Silk Road has passed through generations and even the birth of Christ right up to present day where many people now come to see it as a tourist attraction. The road or actually roads spans many miles and cannot just be traveled on by foot. Maybe renting a car and then choosing a path to take through a specific country would be the answer. But the truth is it is nearly impossible to travel the entire Silk Road, at least not if you are going to backpack through it. Choosing one area to focus on and exploring all there is to see along that given path is the best way to truly enjoy your backpacking adventure. Grab a map, choose a route, and head into the sunset….or something like that.
Silk Road Pictures
Places to go on the Silk Road
You can either start from Europe around Greece or Asia in China. This is the best option because you can start your backpacking trip from the beginning of one end and head straight across to the other end without missing anything. A shorter alternative to this trip is to go from Xi’an to Dunhuang. Start in Chang An or the great city of Xi’an. Head west to Lanzhou. You will eventually end at the great wall of China. If you want to experience the whole trip start at Hangzhou, head to Xi’an, then travel through Pataliputra, Mathura, Taxila, Merv, Antakya, and Constantinople, where you will end. However this is only one option for a trip across the Silk Road. Another good idea if you have no idea where to begin is to hop onto one of the tour groups that head across the Silk Road. This allows you to travel with a group, if you are not already planning to backpack with friends. And you will have a knowledgeable guide to take you through. A backpacking trip through the Silk Road can take anywhere from two weeks to a month.
What to see on the Silk Road
Pataliputra, built in 490 BC, was originally a fort. An easy get-to city is Mathura. You can get there by train heading from either Delhi or Agra in a few hours. Taxila is the ancient city in Pakistan. There are ancient ruins here, gardens, and a museum. The city also has an airport in case you choose to start or end your travels here. Antakya has some wonderful natural sites and ancient ruins to explore. With friends you can take a tour through the ruins and various sites. Head over to Constantinople next. This Istanbul magnificent city is the largest in the country. See Hagia Sofia, Sultanahmet or the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Sultanahmet, the Old City. Constantinople is one of the most exciting cities to visit on the Silk Road. Plus there is a lot of great ancient ruins and artifacts to see. When you get to the end right after this city you will have the option of going back through another route to your beginning to head home or you can head home from there. Other areas that are nice to visit if you feel like taking a side excursion are Persia and Egypt. Known now as Iran, Persia has some really nice cities and view of the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf. In Egypt explore the ancient ruins The pyramids of Giza, temples of Luxor, Valley of Kings, and Sinai are all worth seeing.
How to get there
Booking a tour would be a good idea for the backpackers or travelers who are not used to western Asia. There are a lot of places and areas that are not very friendly to American tourists and having a professional guide to take you through the right places is the best way to get around. It also takes the hassle out of planning your hostels, trains, and activities. Guides can also direct their groups to the historic and ancient monument sights, museums, galleries, and natural settings.
Silk Road travel tips
- Travel with a touring company to make your trip easier.
- Keep your passport and important documents on your body at all times.
- Don’t wear any clothing that represents political preference or has USA embroidered in.
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