Zhang Qian (Chinese: 張騫; died c. 114 BC) [1] was a Chinese diplomat, explorer, and politician who served as an imperial envoy to the world outside of China in the late 2nd century BC during the Western Han dynasty.

Zhang Qian (born, Chenggu [now in Shaanxi province], China—died 114 bce) was a Chinese explorer, the first man to bring back a reliable account of the lands of Central Asia to the court of China.

Aug 10, 2021 · Zhang Qian (张骞), a Chinese diplomat from the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), is regularly name-dropped as the “founder of the Silk Road,” with President Xi Jinping calling him a “friendly emissary” on a “mission of peace” at the 2017 Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Zhang Qian or Chang Ch'ien (張|張, 騫|騫) was an imperial envoy during the second century B.C.E., during the time of the Han Dynasty ( 漢朝). In 138 B.C.E., he was dispatched by Emperor Wu of Han ( 漢武帝), to negotiate an alliance with Yuexhi against the Xiongnu.

Mar 14, 2023 · Zhang Qian was a famous Chinese explorer from the Han Dynasty. Famous for his part in establishing the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that linked China to the Mediterranean and European powers, his legacy lives on. 164 BCE is the year of Zhang Qian’s birth.

Oct 30, 2024 · Zhang Qian, as China Silk Road pioneer, was an outstanding envoy and explorer in Chinese history, opening up the ancient Silk Road and bringing reliable information about the Western Regions.

Oct 6, 2024 · Zhang Qian’s journey exemplifies the profound impact of individual endeavour on the course of history. Though his mission to secure an alliance failed, his accounts of the Western Regions opened the Han Empire’s eyes to the vast opportunities for trade and cultural exchange.

Zhang Qian, an outstanding diplomat, traveler and explorer in the Han dynasty of China was honored as the "pioneer of the silk road", "the first Chinese to open their eyes to see the world" and "the Columbus of the east".

The expedition of Zhang Qian in 138 BC is considered to be the foundation of the first ‘Silk Road’. On his return to Han China, his most important achievement was to demonstrate the possibility for safe travel far to the west.

Zhang Qian was a prominent diplomat of the Western Han dynasty in ancient China. Under the threat of the powerful nomadic federation called the Xiongnu, Emperor Wu dispatched Zhang Qian to Central Asia to establish military alliances with the Yuezhi and the Wusun.