Jiuquan China, Silk Road

Fulu, later known as Suzhou and now called Jiuquan, was founded on the edge of the Gobi Desert in 111 BCE. Nestled within the Hexi Corridor, Jiuquan served as a military outpost and a bustling hub for trade, exploration, and cultural exchange.

The city's name, meaning "Wine Spring", is said to come from a legend during the Han Dynasty when General Huo Qubing's soldiers were rewarded with wine that flowed into a nearby spring after a victorious campaign.

A key aspect of Jiuquan's prominence was its proximity to the Jade Gate (aka Yumen Pass) to the northwest. The pass was an important Silk Road checkpoint that safeguarded merchants and travellers. It was named for the coveted jade transported from Khotan, a region in modern-day Xinjiang renowned for its high-quality nephrite. Prized for its durability, smooth texture, and symbolic associations with purity and immortality, jade was used for tools, ornaments, and ceremonial objects. Its reputation as the finest jade made it a significant trade item on the Silk Road, passing through the Jade Gate on its journey to the heart of the Chinese empire.

Just to the west of the city stands Jiayu Pass, the western terminus of the Great Wall of China, a massive series of fortifications built to protect the empire's northern borders. Stretching over 13,000mi (21,000km), the Great Wall marked the northern boundary between China and the nomadic tribes. It served both as a defensive barrier and a symbol of imperial power. On this western frontier, the Great Wall and the Jade Gate, along with other nearby passes, formed a meeting point where military power and trade came together, ensuring the safety and success of the Silk Road.