Exploring the Silk Roads: 10 stunning sites in 10 countries from Turkey to China

There are extraordinary places to see and adventures to be had along the strands of the ancient Asian trade route
On the Silk Roads in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Whether or not the term Silk Roads is a myth or a handy catch-all for a dauntingly wide geographical network spanning mountain chains, deserts, cities and seas, the idea of it still entices travellers. There are countless extraordinary places to explore along its various strands from Asia to Europe, and these 10 choices represent only a handful of highlights.

There were as many Silk Road threads passing through war-torn lands centuries ago as there are today. Some of these destinations are currently off the traveller’s map for ethical or safety reasons, but given their historical importance it would be wrong to leave them off the list.