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Ban Chao suppressed rebellions of some states in the Western Regions, which consolidated the dominion of the Han Dynasty and protected the Silk Road. 73
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Using clever diplomacy and military talent, Ban Yong stabilized the Western Regions and reopened the Silk Road in this remote area.
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The Tang Dynasty conquered the Eastern Turks.
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To strengthen its military management and to protect the Silk Road, the Protectorate General to Pacify the West was installed with four garrisons: Qiuci (Kuqa), Yanqi (Qarashar), Yutian (Hetian or Khotan) and Shule (Kashgar)
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Xuanzang returned to Chang'an with many Indian sutras.
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The method for making paper was transmitted to the West.
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Anshi Rebellion broke out and lasted for seven years. After the rebellion, the Silk Road began to decline.
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Genghis Khan built the Mongol Empire.
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Genghis Khan successively subdued Liao (Qidan), Jin and Xixia and other states in the Western Regions and West Asia. The Silk Road became prosperous again. 1206-1227
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Marco Polo traveled along the ancient Silk Road to China with his father and uncle. 1271-1275
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Marco Polo stayed in the court of Kublai Khan for 17 years; he became well acquainted with information about China, Central Asia, West Asia and Southeast Asia. 1275-1292
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The Travels of Marco Polo came out, which became the most influential travelogue and paved the way for the arrivals of many Westerners.
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Tiemuer, a descendant of Genghis Khan, established a powerful empire in Samarkand with the vast territory from New Delhi in the south to Damascus in the north, from the Aral Sea to the Persian Gulf. Samarkand became an important international trade centre of the Silk Road. As the Tiemuer Empire collapsed, the road gradually fell into disuse.
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The Tang Dynasty was established with its capital at Chang'an (now Xian).
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The great monk, Xuanzang departed from Chang'an to India along the Silk Road to study Indian sutras.