The Silk Road

Season 1

1980 · 12 episodes · 10h 0m in all

Past and Present of the World's Greatest "Road" Take the voyage of a lifetime as you trace the Silk Road, the name given ancient trade routes which provided some of the earliest contacts between Western and Eastern cultures. Not only will you be treated to a view of breathtaking scenery and artistic treasures, you'll also learn about the lifestyles of the people living along the route today. This historical production was made as a joint effort between NHK and CCTV, China Central Television Network.

Episodes

1. 1

   1. Glories of Ancient Chang-An

   7 Apr 1980 · 50 min

   In "The Glories of Ancient Chang-An," you'll visit the starting point of the Silk Road. Chang-An, the world's largest city in the seventh century, you'll see the incredibe clay army. Buried for almost 2,000 years, the discovery of these 6,000 statues is an archaeological triumph, and The Silk Road crew were the first foreigners allowed to photograph it. Thrill at the sculptures buried in the world's largest tomb. And then, enter China's most hallowed Buddhist temple, and examine the hidden underground murals of a legendary princess, and walk the only man-made object visible from outer space, The Great Wall of China.

2. 2

   2. A Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River

   5 May 1980 · 50 min

   In "A Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River," you'll cross the Yellow River in a goat skin raft. Gaze in awe at the same giant Buddha that Marco Polo saw 700 years ago. Look with amazement at the giant water wheels that irrigate miles of Chinese croplands, and visit the secret caves of Bing Lui Si, never before photographed by a television crew. Then, transverse the Forbidden Corridor between the mountains and the Gobi Desert, where the Huns battled the Chinese for control over the most prized horses in the world.

3. 3

   3. The Art Gallery in the Desert

   2 Jun 1980 · 50 min

4. 4

   4. The Dark Castle

   7 Jun 1980 · 50 min

5. 5

   5. In Search of the Kingdom of Lou-Lan

   4 Aug 1980 · 50 min

6. 6

   6. Across the Taklamakan Desert

   1 Sept 1980 · 50 min

7. 7

   7. Khotan-Oasis of Silk and Jade

   6 Oct 1980 · 50 min

8. 8

   8. A Heat Wave Called Turfan

   3 Nov 1980 · 50 min

9. 9

   9. Through the Tian Shan Mountains by Rail

   1 Dec 1980 · 50 min

10. 10

    10. Journey into Music-South Through the Tian Shan Mountains

    5 Jan 1981 · 50 min

11. 11

    11. Where Horses Fly Like the Wind

    2 Feb 1981 · 50 min

12. 12

    12. Two Roads to the Pamirs

    2 Mar 1981 · 50 min