Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World December 6, 2009

This intriguing exhibition brings to life one of the greatest trading routes in human history, showcasing the goods, cultures, and technologies from four representative cities: Xi'an, China's Tang Dynasty capital; Turfan, a verdant oasis and trading outpost; Samarkand, home of prosperous merchants who thrived on the caravan trade; and Baghdad, a fertile hub of commerce and scholarship that became the intellectual center of the era. Visitors will embark on an unparalleled journey, exploring commerce, communication, and cultural exchange from the far reaches of China through the cities and empires of Central and West Asia from A.D. 600 to 1200. Children will become world travelers as well, collecting special stamps in Silk Road "passports" issued to them at the exhibition entrance, smelling real spices in the spice market, observing live silkworms, and enjoying live musical performances.