Lanzhou China, Silk Road

Lanzhou's history stretches back more than 15,000 years, beginning when people first settled along the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Around 5,000 years ago, the Majiayao Culture emerged, renowned for its intricately coloured pottery. Over time, Lanzhou evolved from a small settlement into a thriving administrative region. 

During the Western Han period (206 BCE – 9 CE), the city was known as Jincheng, or "Gold City", because gold was found there. As a critical passage into the heart of China, Lanzhou was an important military and trade outpost. The city's walls and fortifications were strengthened to protect it from nomadic tribes like the Xiongnu, who posed a constant threat. As a key military stronghold, it helped secure the Silk Road routes and control access to China. 

This was further strengthened by the strong currents of the Yellow River and the mountainous terrain surrounding the city, creating a natural protective barrier that provided an additional defensive advantage. The river was also the cornerstone of Lanzhou's prosperity. Known as China's "Mother River", the Yellow River (the second longest in China) sustained Lanzhou's communities and farmland, enabling the region to flourish. Its waters fed crops and provided a natural route for transporting goods. For travellers along the Silk Road, Lanzhou was a vital crossing point where merchants from as far away as Persia, India, and Central Asia stopped to trade goods. Silk, ceramics, and paper from China were exchanged for spices, gemstones, and textiles from the West. Among these treasures, tea became one of the most sought-after commodities.

Tea was prized for its delicate flavour and health benefits, making it a favourite among traders and nobles. Tea was often compressed into bricks or cakes to withstand the long journeys. These compact forms preserved its freshness and made it easy to transport. 

The tea trade brought together a variety of cultures. For example, in Tibet, brick tea was mixed with yak butter and salt to make po cha, a strong and smoky tea. Its high-fat content provided essential energy and warmth to those travelling in cold mountainous regions. In the Middle East, tea was infused with clove, cinnamon or cardamon, crafting aromatic blends.

In Central Asia, tea was more than just a drink—it became a currency of sorts, often traded for goods or used to create bonds between people from different places. This helped shape the cultures along the Silk Road, fostering deeper connections between distant lands. Tea became more than a commodity; it was a cultural connector that brought people of different backgrounds together, whether for trade, conversation, or ritual.