Chang’an is the ancient Chinese capital commonly identified as the eastern starting point of the overland Silk Road.
Located in present-day Xi’an, Chang’an served as the capital of several Chinese dynasties, most famously the Han and Tang. Its position in the Wei River valley connected the imperial heartland with roads leading toward the Hexi Corridor, Central Asia, and lands beyond.
During the Han dynasty, Emperor Wu’s expansion and diplomatic contacts with Central Asia helped strengthen westward connections. Under the Tang dynasty, Chang’an became one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities, attracting merchants, diplomats, monks, and artisans from many regions.
Calling Chang’an the “starting point” is a useful convention, not a claim that every journey began there. Silk Road commerce used numerous branches, and goods could enter or leave the network at many cities. Xi’an’s modern name reflects its location, while Chang’an is the historical name most associated with the route’s eastern end.