Here's a bit of trivia pursuit: not a lot of people know that among ancient trade routes through China was another "Silk Road." The Jiangnan Silk Road is the fourth trade route known to exist in ancient China, and now it too is being advanced by authorities for standing on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

The importance of the Jiangnan Silk Road, might well match the other three, including the most famous trade route of all linking Asia and Europe.

Jiangnan Silk Road commenced in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. It ran southward through Suzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou and Hangzhou, until it came to Shaoxin city in today's Zhejiang Province.

As early as the Qin Dynasty some 2200 years ago, the region at the lower reaches of the Yangtze river took shape as one of China's major silk production centers. For enerations, residents were masters at cultivating mulberry, raising silkworms and weaving silk and brocade.

Archeological discoveries along the route testify to the existence of the Jiangnan Silk Road. Spinning wheels fashioned from wood and pottery dating back 7000 years ago were excavated in a Neolithic site in Yuyao. More ancient relics came to light in Shenzhou, shedding even more light on the development of the trade route.

Circumspect protection for sites along the route already is in place. Local governments now are moving behind efforts to have the route and its major sites listed with UNESCO, in the near future.

Source :- cctv