As travel becomes more and more advanced, cheap, and accessible, lesser-known cities are becoming discovered and therefore flush with modern conveniences. Those of you who await a Pyongyang McDonalds may still live to see the day. That being said, there’s something romantic and adventure-worthy about long-form overland travel. In the age where a metal tube can take you from one hemisphere to the other in a few hours, the overland journey is becoming more and more convoluted. For those who would prefer to reduce their carbon footprint and take the ease out of flying, here are a few routes in which the modern vagabond can follow in the footsteps of legends such as Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, and Ibn Battuta. Strap on your pack, tie your boot laces, and ready your voices to complain about the endless bribes and unforgiving border crossings to endure on these majestic adventures.
Our first stop is that not of recent internet infamy, but rather an ancient gateway to goods and knowledge – the Silk Road. Though unfortunately not one defined path, the legendary Silk Road was a series of trade routes that stretched from Xi’an in China all the way to Istanbul, nearly 8,000 kilometers. Brought into popularity by a certain Marco Polo, this path trafficked through Central Asia, the Middle East, and the South Caucasus, traversed by caravans and camels. Caravanserai, or inns, served as means for rest, conversation, commerce, and eating.These Caravanserai were positioned within a day transit of each other, around 30-40 kilometers in distance. Camels aren’t exactly know for their agility. As a result, trade flourished and diverse products from both East and West swapped places to populate their newfound homes.
Every aspect of civilization was dispersed throughout this road. Technology, science, philosophy, language, and architectural influences were swapped amongst travelers. Spices, gunpowder, and paper came later Its flexibility and usefulness adapted trade demands to local needs and up throughout the 19th century, was still functioning as a commercial route. Perhaps Amazon will build a warehouse there next.
Art and religion spread as well. This can be seen in the (rest in peace) former Bamiyan Buddhas, which were destroyed during the Taliban rule over Afghanistan. In addition, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Islam found roots in various locales along the route, such as Western China and the entirety of Central Asia. To this day, Central Asian nations are predominately Muslim (East) and save Tajikistan, speak Turkic languages. Travelers and merchants alike would absorb products and religions, carrying each back to their homeland, and creating footholds for each to flourish. Entire cities were developed as trading posts and rest stops, many of which still hold significance today.
In the present day, the main route would look something akin to this. Afghanistan is currently off-limits, as are certain areas within the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan. Unless of course, you possess a small army.
Quickest: China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran – Turkey
Scenic: China – Pakistan – Tajikstan (via the Wakhan Corridor) – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Iran – Armenia – Georgia – Turkey
With three to six months, an intrepid explorer should be able to cover the route in detail and leave room for excursions, getting lost, transport breakdowns, extended questioning, and low quality roads that make bumper-to-bumper traffic look fast.
Naturally, there are plenty of divergences. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) takes one into the Hunza Valley and through untold mountain passes and crystal clear lakes. This area is completely secure, due to isolated villages and heavy police protection. These villages were historically mountain kingdoms and ruled by local mir. Nowadays, one would see a more agrarian scene, with shepherds and other nomads tending their flocks. However, this is only one pass of the KKH. The KKH connects Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab Province, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, home to Kashgar and its famed night market. The Khyber Pass is unaccessible without special permissions and a likely military escort, so forget about transiting to Kabul.
Sadly, transit through Iran is not possible for all passports. For Americans, Canadians, and British Nationals who don’t want to pay for a guided tour (the only way to get into Iran these days), there is a ferry across the Caspian Sea from Turkmenbashi to Baku. The only problem is, the ferry may not run at all. Poor luck for those sprinting across Turkmenistan – a transit visa is the only work-around for avoiding stuffing government coiffeurs, which lasts anywhere from 24 hours to 5 days. This is at the discretion of customs officials, so be sure have a deep “gift” basket. As Central Asia is composed of former Soviet-block countries, their bureaucratic standards reflect quite literally an iron grip. Visas are expensive and numerous, and due to communist-era salaries, checkpoint guards and police will need to be curried favor with. Bring cigarettes. Lots of cigarettes. And booze.
All in all, this route is difficult, but can be accomplished with money, time, and mental fortitude. Crossing East to West will bring forth a melding of languages, customs, cultures, cuisines, landscapes, bribes, shoddy roads, scenery, and more. Highlights include the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang, trekking the KKR and the Pamir Mountains in Pakistan and Tajikistan, visiting the ancient scholarly Uzbek cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, the wonders of Eshafan and Persepolis in Iran, the Gateway to Hell in Darvaza, Turkmenistan, Ushguli and Mestia in Georgia, and the literal continental fusion in Istanbul. Note: many cultures are conservative in nature and learning norms will go a long way in preventing offenses and potential injury.
Before disembarking, it’s crucial to have some knowledge of Chinese, Persian, and Russian. Bonus points for Urdu and other Turkic languages. English will not be as widespread and learning basic conversation will ensure a more enjoyable journey. For those with an adventurous spirit, boundless patience and a desire to retrace the footsteps of ancient merchants, the Silk Road is one for the ages.
Recommended reading: The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo and The New Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. The former describes the explorer’s journey in depth while the later goes into the history of the various kingdoms and empires that existed along the route.
Dispatches by Alec 