Dayuan supplied the famous “heavenly horses” sought by Han China along the Silk Road. Dayuan was an ancient kingdom in the Ferghana Valley of Central Asia, known to Chinese sources for its powerful horses and prosperous agriculture.
Han Emperor Wu wanted these horses because they were believed to be stronger and better suited for cavalry than many Chinese breeds. Chinese interest intensified after the envoy Zhang Qian reported information about Central Asian states and their resources.
The Han–Dayuan War, fought from 104 to 102 BCE, was launched partly to obtain access to the horses. Han forces eventually captured the Dayuan capital and secured an agreement for tribute horses. The conflict helped strengthen Han connections with Central Asia and expanded the network later called the Silk Road.
Dayuan is sometimes confused with Sogdiana, a broader region and cultural zone associated with Sogdian merchants. Khotan and Kucha were instead oasis kingdoms in the Tarim Basin, farther east.