Ancient Tea Horse Road was the longest ancient trade road in the world with a network of caravan trade routes spanning over 10,000 km . It developed in Southwest China from the trading of tea from Han Chinese and horses from Tibetians. There are two main routes originating from Chengdu and Kunming towards Lhasa. Both routes have their network of secondary routes. From Lhasa the trade route extends to South Asia including Nepal and India.
This 2,250 km section starts fron Ya’an towards Lhasa. It passes thru Kangding, Luding in Sichuan and Chamdo in Tibet.
Ya'an
Ya'an was the historical starting point, main processing center, and economic core of the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea Horse Road.
Ya'an Tea Horse Office (茶马司) Mingshan District, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province
This is the only surviving state-run tea-horse exchange office in China. It regulates the official "tea-for-horse" trade between the Chinese central government and ethnic groups in Tibet and western China
This route started during the Tang Dynasty. It originates fronm Simao District of Puer City and ends in Lhasa. It passes thru Dali, Lijiang and Shari-La City in Yunnan.
Puer City
Puer City is the southern starting point and primary collection hub for the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road.
Lijiang City
Tea Horse road along Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tea Horse road along Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tea Horse Route Statues, Diqing Prefecture shangri-La City
Diqing was a key stop in the Ancient Tea Horse trade route.
Dukezong Ancient Town, Diqing Prefecture shangri-La City
The 1300 years old town is one of the largest and best preserved Tibetan building group in China. It is a key stop in the Ancient Tea Horse trade route.
Silk Road Northern Route
The Shaanxi-Kang-Tibet Tea Horse Road connected northwestern commercial hubs in Shaanxi province through Sichuan (Kangding/Dartsedo) to Tibet
Ankang/Ziyang Northern Five-Province Guildhall, Ankang City Shaanxi Province
Wafangdian Guildhall Complex, Ankang City Shaanxi Province
(瓦房店会馆群) in Ziyang County