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The Silk Road In photos: The Silk Road Diary

For five thousand miles the Silk Road ran all the way from China鈥檚 ancient capital, through Central Asia. It passed through mythical cities such as Samarkand or Persepolis until it reached the bazaars of Istanbul; the merchants of Venice. The Venetian writer, trader, and explorer Marco Polo travelled the Silk Road more than seven hundred years ago. Like Marco Polo, Dr Sam Willis wrote about his travels.

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Persian art and architecture reached new heights under the Safavid ruler Shah Abbas.

His capital Esfahan and Bag-e Fin gardens were two of my favourite stops

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  • The Silk Road

    Historian Dr Sam Willis travels the most famous trade route in history, the Silk Road.

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