Interaction between the Xiang River Basin and the Maritime Silk Road from the Qin–Han to the Sui–Tang Periods and Its Impacts

LI Jianmao* and YANG Huahua

Previous research on the Silk Road has predominantly focused on the transportation routes connecting origins, ports, and destinations. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to the interactions between these origin or port regions and inland areas. This research examines the relationship between the Xiang River basin and the Maritime Silk Road from the Qin–Han to the Sui–Tang periods, focusing on interactions between inland regions and the maritime trade networks associated with it. The study investigates transportation routes and modes of travel, the inflow of imported goods, the export of local commodities, types of commercial exchange, and patterns of cultural interaction. Through these aspects, it elucidates the evolving modes of interaction between the Xiang River basin and the Maritime Silk Road across various historical periods. Furthermore, this research also considers the impacts of these interactions on the economy and culture of the Hunan region from both material and ideological viewpoints.