Han envoy sent by 汉武帝 to Central Asia, held captive by the 匈奴 for ten years on the way. His journeys opened China's contact with the West along what became the 丝绸之路.
Zhang Qian's missions to the Western Regions opened up the Silk Road.
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history
司马迁 summed up his achievement in one word, 凿空, 'to bore through', for opening a road where there had been none. He set out with about a hundred men; thirteen years later only he and his Xiongnu guide came home.
