History of Silk Road in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2025

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes spanning over 6,400 km (4,000 mi), active from the 2nd century BCE to the mid-15th century. It facilitated economic, cultural, political, and religious exchange between the Eastern and Western worlds, connecting Central, East, South, Southeast, and West Asia with East Africa and Southern Europe. The name "Silk Road" was coined in the late 19th century; however, some historians prefer the term "Silk Routes" to reflect the complex network of land and sea paths involved.

1938: Publication of "The Silk Road" by Sven Hedin

In 1938, Swedish geographer Sven Hedin published the first book entitled "The Silk Road."

The Silk Road: Ten Thousand Miles through Central Asia (Tauris Parke Paperbacks)

Check it on Amazon

1993: United Nations World Tourism Organization's Initiative

Since 1993, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has been working to develop sustainable international tourism along the Silk Road, with the stated goal of fostering peace and understanding.

2009: Edward Luttwak's presumption about Nieh-ku-lun

In 2009, Edward Luttwak presumed that Nieh-ku-lun was Nicolaus de Bentra.

June 2014: UNESCO named the Silk Road a World Heritage Site

On June 22, 2014, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the Silk Road a World Heritage Site at the 2014 Conference on World Heritage.

2014: UNESCO designated the Chang'an-Tianshan corridor of the Silk Road as a World Heritage Site

In 2014, UNESCO designated the Chang'an-Tianshan corridor of the Silk Road as a World Heritage Site.

June 2020: China National Silk Museum Announces "Silk Road Week"

In June 2020, the China National Silk Museum announced a "Silk Road Week" to take place 19–25 June, to commemorate the Silk Road becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.