Xinjiang home to silk road 

cctv.com 10-20-2005 15:45

The Silk Road of ancient China served as a conduit not only for goods, but also for the exchange of ideas between the East and West. With the passage of time, most of the ancient road has been buried, but some traces can still be found. The Lake Aibi Nature Reserve in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region boasts the best-preserved section of the Silk Road.

On this rugged, zigzagging road, only shallow ruts of the road, and rows of reeds are in sight. It's hard to connect this route with the ancient Silk Road, where legions of traders had left their footprints.

The road remains unspoiled, because the nature reserve is blessed with a unique geographical position and historic significance. The source of water and grasslands are the two factors that made the area one of the sections of the ancient Silk Road.

Abuduwaili, Director of Lake Aibi Nature Reserve, Xinjiang, said, "The ancient Silk Road was built here because of the river and its clean water. When camels and horses carrying heavy loads of goods were tired, they could rest and drink here. Besides, there are a vast number of grasslands around this area, which were easy for camels and horses to maneuver."

The Lake Aibi Nature Reserve is the biggest saltwater lake in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It lies within a typical inland desert ecosystem and is of high conservation value. Occasionally, traces of animals are detected. And the number of inhabitants here is small. In this primitive area, you can feel for yourself how our ancestors went through the ancient Silk Road.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com