Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c4.s2.11

v1.c4.s2.11

In southwestern China, the "Dian-Mian Road" (Yunnan-Burma) had existed for long as a route to India through which private trade activities had been carried out. Moreover, in the 2^nd century BCE, there was also a sea route between China and India, which was referred to as "South Sea Road". In the section on *Geography* in *Han Shu* (*Book of Han Dynasty*), a clear sea route from Guangdong to Kanci (now Kanchipuram in south India) as well as a specific shipping schedule was recorded. At that time, goods shipped to India mainly included gold and silk fabrics and those brought from India mainly consisted of gem, crystal and glassware.