Today a new Silk Road is emerging, with China once again a keystone of the new global economy.
In a series of reports Al Jazeera's correspondents report from across China on the impact and implications of this New Silk Road.
Watch their reports below.
In the early 20th century, Shanghai was China's window to the world. Now, it is at the forefront of the country's economic renaissance and home to many who have made enourmous fortunes from China's capitalist push.
Al Jazeera's Melissa Chan reports.
The port city of Dalian in China's northeast is rapidly developing as a centre for the IT industry. Home to a burgeoning number of Chinese software companies, the city is a symbol of a changing China.
Before Beijing became China's capital, Chang'an was the centre of political, cultural and religious life. Chang'an's supremacy declined in the 10th century, but its modern-day incarnation, Xian, has been newly revitalised by a surge in domestic tourism.
Tension between Xinjiang's native Uighur Muslims and migrant Han Chinese is growing as Beijing seeks to exploit the region's potentially lucrative gas and oil fields.
Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng reports.
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