The Silk Road has been a popular subject over the past few years for authors of children’s books. Already at Heritage Key, we have reviewed Stranger on the Silk Road, written by Jessica Gunderson, as well as We’re Riding on a Caravan by Laurie Krebs and Helen Cann, part of a series of country- and culture-based books from Barefoot Books. From the same publisher, then, comes Stories From the Silk Road, a beautifully illustrated collection of folk tales taken from and inspired by the ancient trading route.
We’re Riding on a Caravan: An Adventure on the Silk Road follows one family as it journeys from the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an, west along the famous trading routes of the Silk Road. It's a journey of discovery and colour and culture for new readers aged from three or four.
With their camels heavily laden with their wares, it takes them three months to reach Lanzhou, and they arrive just as the first leaves of autumn are falling. Here, they trade silk for wool, and also buy a supply of fruit and vegetables to eat, and a second stash to sell later on.
Six months into the journey they arrive in Dunhuang, with towns and villages giving way to a desert oasis amid the sand dunes. More silk is sold, and rice is traded for bread.
After a harsh month in the desert, they make it to Hami, though they are sick and cold from winter’s bitter winds. They rest in Hami, feeding on goat-head soup for several days while they muster the energy to continue.
Submitted by Michael Kan on Fri, 09/18/2009 - 19:04
Come to Xi’an, and you’ll no doubt head straight to see the city’s famous Terracotta Warriors exhibit, or the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. You might make the trip out to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Maoling Mausoleum, and check out a couple of the museums, such as the Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an Banpo Museum and the Xi’an Museum.
But there’s a lot more to Xi’an than these, admittedly stunning, sites. The ancient capital also has a stash of hidden treasures. Here’s a handful of my favourites.
Epang Palace may have been real, or simply a myth that's lasted for thousands of years.
Archaeological digs have attempted to answer this question, with the findings suggesting that the palace was never completed.
Historical records have said the palace was so large that it spanned different climate zones and contained numerous treasures and beautiful women. 13km west of Xi'an are the ruins of palace, which is slated to become a tourist attraction in 2010. A replica of what the palace might have looked like was created in 2000 and is nearby the ruins.
Da Xing Shan Temple is located in Xi'an, China and has been considered a birthplace for Buddhism in the country.
The temple has a history that spans more than 1,600 years, dating back to its construction in the Western Jin Dynasty. Later, during the Tang Dynasty, many Buddhist texts from India were translated at the temple and then promulgated throughout the country.
Much of the temple was desecrated during the later Tang Dynasty when Buddhism was persecuted by the emperor Wuzong. But repairs and expansions have been made since then.
Many of the buildings currently on the site were constructed during the Qing Dynasty. There are numerous statues devoted to Buddhism on the site, with figures of giant elephants and Bodhisattvas scattered throughout. Believers can pay their respects at the various temple buildings.
Come to Xi’an, and you’ll no doubt head straight to see the city’s famous 
