Interesting Facts About China

The Origins of Silk

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that not only connected the East and West, but was also central to the establishment of cultural, political, and economic ties between numerous countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Silk Road got its name from silk- the material that encouraged the establishment of this trade network. During this time, China was the sole supplier of silk.

This was because the Chinese were the only people who knew exactly how silk was made. This process remained a closely guarded secret that was maintained for thousands of years. While there are rumors that the secret was lost due because of a Chinese princess who travelled to India with silkworm eggs in her head dress, it remains unclear as to how or when the secret was revealed to the world.