In ancient China, the Silk Road was a valuable highway system used to transport valuable trade items, knowledge, and ideas throughout Asia. Many valuable goods were shipped and profits were made from trade with Rome, India, and China. With the Silk Road, valuable goods and ideas spread efficiently; the areas were revolutionized and this allowed cultural diffusion. Many valuable items were exchanged along the Silk Road, not only were objects exchanged, but also new ideas. One of the “most valuable articles of trade was silk, but merchants also carried jade, pearls, coral, glass, fine linen and wool along the way” (Cultural Exchange). China received large quantities of goods from the West. They received many fruits and nuts, rare animals, therapeutic materials, spices and jewelry. Chinese porcelain and lacquerware were also traded in the West. In exchange for these goods, China has introduced many advanced technologies to the West. Silkworm raising and spinning, papermaking, printing, and gunpowder were new technologies that the West had never seen. Silkworms provided silk to be spun and sold for profit. This was an item much appreciated by many. Paper production and printing made communications with people easier. Printing made it easier to type the same message over and over more efficiently and quickly. Gunpowder led to the creation of firearms due to its explosiveness when ignited, but was initially used as fireworks for fun. In addition to the exchange of valuable goods, “the Silk Road was more than a conduit for trade” (Paludan). It has pierced the nomadic barrier to the west and gates it to the rest of the domain. China's foreign associates had been with the border populations, mostly nomads whose lifestyle was com... middle of paper... cultural melting pot born because of the warmongers on the Silk Road. About half of the “Silk Road was located in Xinjiang, which was a place where ancient Western and Eastern cultures met and many famous historical figures visited such as Marco Polo” (Historical Silk Road). Many sculptures and caves have been found in Xinjiang, indicating the integration of Chinese, Indian and Persian culture into craftsmanship. The Silk Road was one of the most important highways for trade in ancient China. Many used the road and made huge profits from roadside trading. Countless quantities of ideas and goods have passed through the diffusion of cultural ideas creating cultural convergence. In conclusion, with the help of the Silk Road, Asian nations were able to open their doors to the east and integrate with other nations.