Silk Road Outposts

The city and capitol of the Mughals, a vast empire stretching across South Asia at the end of the Middle Ages. Architectural masterpieces of Agra still bring travelers from near and far, particularly the India’s most famous building - the Taj Mahal.

First a Christian city established in the 9th Century and then later an Islamic fortress under the Ottomans. Akhaltsikhe has a complicated history which is representative of the diversity of this region.

A millenium ago, 100,000 residents lived side by side in this plateau, relishing as the capitol of Armenia and the heartbeat of trade for the highlands.

Rising from a small town at the turn of the twentieth century to the capitol of the Republic of Turkey, Ankara has transformed into a global city as expected. Its ancient secrets, however, may surprise the wanderer.

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Mount Olympus, as the ancient Greeks named it, shadows a settlement turned capital city east of the Sea of Marmara, not far from Istanbul.

Situated in the heart of ancient Anatolia, in modern Turkey, Cappadocia's history begins thousands and thousands of years ago.

A steamy lowland jungle before the long and cold ascent up through the Himalayas, bearing many dangers both seen and hiding in the foliage.

For hundreds of years, all roads, east to west and north to south, led and came forth from Constantinople. The worlds greatest, and most dangerous, journey had its deepest roots at the heart of this city.

Below the mountainous extremes to the north lay a wide and fertile plain with a history of thousands of years. Delhi, ancient Indraprastha, lies in this region and has served as a crossroads, even to this very day.

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From the Tigris River that flows through, to the intact Roman walls, to the Silk Road inn that still welcomes travelers to the Kurdish people that live here, Diyarbakir is a city in the fertile crescent of many layers.

An ancient outpost in the shadow of Mount Ararat. This is a region as old as time itself, evidenced by crumbling ruins surrounding an ornate palace atop a hilltop.

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Marco Polo, upon finally reaching Hangzhou in the far east, described it as "the City of Heaven, the most beautiful and magnificent in the world." Welcome to the Pearl of China.

An oasis in the midst of extreme environments, kept relevant for thousands of years due to a precious resource that is found in abundance here.

Jiangyou lies in the center of the Sichuan Basin, a region of fertile soil, unique cuisine, and an abundance of silk - a beautiful respite from the extremes of the Silk Roads to the west.

The beginning or end of China - whether journeying east or west - Jiayuguan stands as the mighty starting point of the Great Wall of China. Here is a formidable barrier to enemies or a welcome respite to citizens.

Kangding stands at a crossroads for the descent into the Sichuan Basin, the endless Tibetan Plateau to the west, and the Tea Horse Road to the south. It was at this intersection that Kangding became the largest trading post of the region.

If Istanbul and Xi'an are the terminals, then Kashgar can be considered the thriving center of the Silk Roads - a place of the grandest bazaars and outstanding workmanship.

At the foothills of the Himalayas lies a valley filled with ancient wonders and living traditions such as palace squares, towering temples, and utmost devotion.

A beautiful and rugged mountain range running east to west, from the Caspian to the Black Sea and the boundary of Europe and Asia, the Caucasus Mountains have been a formidable barrier throughout history.

On the northern outskirts of the engulfing Taklamakan Desert, Kuqa lies at a crucial outpost between the Kashgar and further east towards China.

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The Karakoram Highway, consistently regarded as one of earth's most spectacular and dangerous journeys, is equal parts both. Around every turn a new angle emerges of an immense and daunting mountain.

A town stood still in time. Glass blowing, saffron selling, metal works, and Turkish baking are just a few of the crafts the locals live by. Walking the meandering cobbled streets, a glimpse of Ottoman Turkey beckons.

The “Pearl of the Silk Road” as passerby’s called it years back. A glistening star of blue water amidst a green and white expanse.

From majestic snow-capped peaks extending in all directions to seemingly endless grasslands where nomads tents and sheep number in the hundreds, Taxkurgan is at a land stood still in time.

Tbilisi can’t seem to decide where it lies. European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences seamlessly blend into the environment in and around Tbilisi, creating a uniqueness found seldom elsewhere.

The mighty peaks of old, Earth's roof, and simply the greatest mountain range on this planet. Words cannot do these granitic masterpieces justice. But it still proves a formidable barrier into the Middle Kingdom.

Drawing inspiration for countless poets and artists over the centuries, these ancient mountains rise as pillars into the clouds.

The Heavenly Mountains, stretching from Uzbekistan to Western China, hasn't changed for thousands of years. Nomads still wander the endless grasslands, and modernity has only crept in as what is necessary.

Situated in a blazing environment 154 meters (505 feet) below sea level with mountains of fire extended around its perimeter, Turpan nevertheless remained relevant in its two-thousand year history.

Situated between the legendary Tigris and Euphrates River, in the heart of the Fertile Crescent, lies ancient Urfa, the supposed birthplace of Abraham.

On the eastern slope of Mount Ararat, a pink-hued city emerges among the green fields. The ancient and modern crossroads of Armenia - all Armenian roads lead to and come forth from Yerevan.

An oasis in the Hexi Corridor bearing many tales and holding endless treasures, most notably the Rainbow Mountains of China.