The History of Silk (2/5)

For a long time, China was the only country in the world capable of producing silk. Because of its elegant luster, lightweight feel, and durable quality, silk quickly became a luxury favored by royalty and nobility, and it gradually developed into a key item of foreign trade. Beginning in the Han Dynasty, silk was transported through the Silk Road to Central Asia, India, Persia, and even as far as Europe, becoming a vital link in the cultural exchange between East and West.