Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c13.s1.14

v2.c13.s1.14

From the late 9th century to the 11th century, due to the shift of China’s political, economic and cultural centre to the southeast coastal areas and the rise of Arab world, maritime intercourse between the East and West gradually became more important. At the same time, political turbulence in northwestern China affected the safety of the Silk Road and so the importance of this overland channel was reduced. During the Yuan dynasty, the Mongols controlled China as well as many areas in Central Asia and West Asia. This opened up east-west communication along the overland route and many European envoys, missionaries and merchants such as Marco Polo, came to China along this route. Therefore, the Silk Road recovered its prosperity at that time.