The ancient trade route that connected China with Europe, facilitating trade and cultural exchange, is known as the Silk Road. Established during the Han Dynasty around the 2nd century BCE, it enabled the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals, as well as cultural, religious, and technological ideas. The route was not a single road but a network of trade paths that spanned thousands of miles, linking various cultures and empires from China to the Mediterranean. It played a crucial role in shaping the civilizations along its route and introducing innovations across continents.