The growth of Buddhism to Central Asia and China corresponded with the development of the silk routes as channels for intercultural exchanges.

After a Buddhist community was established in the Chinese capital at Loyang by the second century,Buddhist monasteries started to emerge near irrigated oases at Khotan, Kucha, Turfan, and Dunhuang on the northern and southern branches of the silk routes.

This series of pictures on the southern side of the ancient silk road illustrate how the Buddhist population is still extensively present on this area.

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