Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.32

v2.c13.32

According to the *Xin Tangshu* (new Tang history), the maritime route between India and China during those times started out from Guangzhou (Canton). The port of Guangzhou in the later Tang period had already emerged as a large international port with great importance for India-China cultural contacts. From Guangzhou, the maritime route passed through the coastal regions of the island of Hainan and Vietnam, then crossed the Straits of Malacca and passed through regions like Sumendala (Sumatra) before arriving at Sri Lanka. From Sri Lanka, the route proceeded northward to the southeastern coast of India. Another route moved northwards touching various points on the western coast of India before entering the Persian Gulf and reaching present-day Iran and the Arabian peninsula. From the Arabian peninsula, the route then connected various countries located on the eastern coast of the African continent. This was one of the most convenient maritime routes, with which the Indians, the Chinese and the Arabs were most familiar.