Han dynasty Silk Road diplomacy and trade networks (2nd century BCE–1st century CE)

1. Han–Xiongnu heqin treaty sets early frontier policy

   Jan 1, 198 BCELabels: Heqin treaty, Xiongnu, Han court

   • Heqin paper
   • Britannica

2. Zhang Qian departs for the Western Regions

   Jan 1, 138 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Emperor Wu

   • UNESCO
   • Shaanxi Gov

3. Zhang Qian returns, expanding Han strategic horizon

   Jan 1, 126 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Han court

   • UNESCO
   • Shaanxi Gov

4. Han victories secure the Hexi Corridor gateway

   Jan 1, 121 BCELabels: Hexi Corridor, Huo Qubing

   • Hexi Corridor
   • Britannica

5. Battle of Mobei weakens Xiongnu control of routes

   Jan 1, 119 BCELabels: Battle of, Xiongnu

   • Mobei
   • Britannica

6. Second Zhang Qian mission broadens official contacts

   Jan 1, 119 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Wusun

   • Shaanxi Gov
   • UNESCO

7. Four Hexi commanderies established to hold route

   Jan 1, 111 BCELabels: Hexi commanderies, Dunhuang

   • Jiuquan Cmd
   • Dunhuang Cmd
   • Hexi Corridor

8. Han fights Dayuan for Ferghana “heavenly horses”

   Jan 1, 104 BCELabels: Dayuan, Ferghana

   • Heavenly Horses
   • Britannica

9. Protectorate of the Western Regions formalizes Han control

   Jan 1, 60 BCELabels: Protectorate of, Tarim Basin

   • Western Regions
   • Han Timeline

10. Xin interregnum disrupts Han position in the Tarim

    Jan 1, 9Labels: Xin dynasty, Wang Mang

    • Xinjiang History
    • Kunyang

11. Eastern Han campaigns reopen the Western Regions corridor

    Feb 1, 73Labels: Eastern Han, Hami

    • Yiwulu
    • Britannica

12. Ban Chao appointed Protector-General in restored system

    Jan 1, 91Labels: Ban Chao, Protector-General

    • Britannica
    • Ban Chao

13. Gan Ying’s 97 CE mission tests the far-west connection

    Jan 1, 97Labels: Gan Ying, Daqin

    • Gan Ying
    • Britannica

14. Ban Chao returns; Han western control begins to loosen

    Jan 1, 102Labels: Ban Chao, Luoyang

    • Britannica
    • Xinjiang History