The early trade in silk was carried on against incredible odds by great caravans of merchants and animals traveling over some of the most inhospitable territory on the face of the earth, including searing, waterless deserts and snowbound mountain passes. Beginning at the magnificent ancient Chinese city of Chang'an (Xi'an), the route took traders westward along the Hexi Corridor to the giant barrier of the Great Wall, then either north or south of the Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar before continuing on to India and Iran, or to the great cities of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. For today's traveler, it is not only the weight of history that makes the Silk Road intriguing, but the incredible diversity of scenery and ethnic people along the way. This beautifully photographed and intelligent book is the authoritative guide to travel in the region. <UL> <LI> Uniquely focused guidebook for travelers to western China <LI> Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Shaanxi <LI> By rail to Central Asia <LI> Fauna and flora of the Altun Mountain Nature Reserve <LI> Practical information including border crossings to Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian republics <LI> General overview of the Silk Road's history <LI> Details of the region's ethnic peoples, arts, crafts, history and culture <LI> Comprehensive list of recommended websites for further research and reading <LI> 93 color photographs <LI> 15 fully revised, easy-to-follow maps </UL>