Historic Map China - Han Dynasty Empire & Trade Routes 2nd Century BC

This Historic Map Image depicts China at the Time of the Second Century and the unifying Reign of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD).

Navigate the Map to find the Main Cities of the Han Empire marked in Red ( ), with the Capital City located at Chang'An (Xi'an, Shaanxi Province).

Where possible the current name is given for each Han City or Garrison.

Tributary States of the Han Empire are marked in Green ( ). These are mainly Oasis Cities

located along the emerging Silk Road which was opened up by Han Expeditions and Military Campaigns.

Current day visitable Great Wall of China Sites marked in Blue ( ) are matched with the first Great Wall of China as constructed during the Han Dynasty Reign Era, which is marked by a dotted line on the below Map.

Starting in the Far West one can visit the Han Dynasty Great Wall remnants at YuMen or Jade Gate, North-West out of Dunhuang Oasis in Gansu Province, China. Among the other Sites are Yulin Fortress Great Wall on the Ordos Desert edge in Shaanxi Province and the PianGuan Pass Great Wall, the crossing point of the Great Wall and the Yellow River on the border between Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces. The little known Outer Most Layer of The Great Wall of China in the East, protecting Liaoning Province and Peninsula, was also first constructed during the Han Dynasty Period.

Follow the Links to more information on each individual section of the Great Wall !!

The Great Wall of China was built in support of the Han Dynasties Defensive Network of Military Garrisons, which are marked in Yellow ( ). Find the Yumen Strongpoint and Yang Guan Strongpoint and Beacon Tower west of Dunhuang in Gansu at the very eastern edge of the Lop Nor Desert. East of Dunhuang inside the Hexi Corridor lies another identified Han Dynasty Stronghold, the Qiaowan Garrison Fortress, currently located right adjacent the new Lanzhou-Xinjiang expressway between Dunhuang and JiayuGuan in Gansu Province.

Follow the Links to more Han Garrisons & Strongholds !!