For centuries Westerners have been intrigued by the Silk Road, which was the first connection between the East and the West, conveying goods, knowledge, and messages of peace and war across Eurasia. Traders’ camel caravans – laden with silk, tea, porcelain, and other goods from China and other parts of Asia – made their way westwards to the Middle East. From there, goods were taken on by sea and other forms of transport to Europe and beyond. Crossing vast open plains, mysterious deserts, high mountain passes, and foreign – sometimes hostile – territories, these traders put their lives in the hands of the gods, hoping to bring prosperity to their families. We shall explore these ancient trade routes the old way – overland. Starting from Xi’an, the then Chinese capital, we travel all the way to Kashgar in the far west near the borders with central Asian republics, meeting different cultures and religions, and exploring the diversified landscapes of this remote region.