Question

According to Ma Twan-lin, what guided Silk Road travelers through the Gobi Desert? What caused many travelers to get lost there?

Answer 1

Silk Road travelers were guided through the Gobi Desert by a network of caravansaries, which provided essential shelter and supplies. The lack of water and challenging terrain in the desert often caused travelers to get lost.

Step-by-step explanation:

In their travels through the Gobi Desert, Silk Road travelers were guided by a network of caravansaries. These were resting places and waypoints along the road, usually established about a day apart from each other. Caravansaries provided crucial shelter, water, and supplies for the travelers and their camels.

The Gobi Desert presented several challenges to travelers, which often caused them to get lost. One of the main difficulties was the lack of water in the desert. The scarcity of water made it necessary for travelers to navigate carefully and plan their journeys accordingly. Additionally, the Gobi Desert's terrain was compacted and rocky, making it easy to lose one's way if proper navigation techniques were not followed.

Answer 2

Bandits were a common threat along the Silk Road. The bandits learned that not only silk was being traveled through those roads, but also gold, precious stones, glass, and other materials from China.