Zhang Qian's Central Asian expeditions (c. 138–126 BCE)

1. Xiongnu pressure pushes Yuezhi westward

   Jan 1, 174 BCELabels: Yuezhi, Xiongnu

   • Britannica
   • Britannica Xiongnu

2. Emperor Wu sends Zhang Qian to the Yuezhi

   Jan 1, 138 BCELabels: Emperor Wu, Zhang Qian

   • World of Chinese
   • Zhang Qian

3. Zhang Qian is captured and held by the Xiongnu

   Jun 1, 138 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Xiongnu

   • Zhang Qian
   • Emperor Wu

4. Zhang Qian reaches Dayuan and learns of western states

   Jan 1, 129 BCELabels: Dayuan, Ferghana

   • Emperor Wu
   • Zhang Qian

5. Yuezhi decline the anti-Xiongnu alliance proposal

   Jan 1, 128 BCELabels: Yuezhi

   • Zhang Qian
   • Britannica

6. Zhang Qian returns to Chang’an with a major report

   Jan 1, 126 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Chang'an

   • Emperor Wu
   • World of Chinese

7. Zhang Qian’s expeditions shape the Silk Road era

   Dec 1, 126 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Silk Road

   • World of Chinese
   • Shaanxi Gov

8. Han secures the Hexi Corridor from the Xiongnu

   Jan 1, 121 BCELabels: Hexi Corridor, Han dynasty

   • Hexi Corridor
   • Emperor Wu

9. Battle of Mobei weakens the Xiongnu’s position

   Jan 1, 119 BCELabels: Battle of, Xiongnu

   • Mobei
   • Emperor Wu

10. Zhang Qian leads a second mission to the Western Regions

    Jun 1, 119 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Wusun

    • Shaanxi Gov
    • Emperor Wu

11. Four Hexi commanderies established to hold the corridor

    Jan 1, 111 BCELabels: Hexi commanderies, Wuwei

    • Dunhuang Cmd
    • Wuwei Cmd
    • Zhangye Cmd

12. Han fights Dayuan to obtain Ferghana horses

    Jan 1, 104 BCELabels: Dayuan, Ferghana horses

    • Heavenly Horses
    • Zhang Qian