c. 138 BCE

Zhang Qian travels west for the Han

Emperor Wu sends Zhang Qian west c. 138 BCE to find the Yuezhi, enemies of the Xiongnu. Held by the Xiongnu about thirteen years, he reaches Dayuan (Ferghana) and Bactria and returns c. 125 BCE with one companion, reporting too on Parthia and India from hearsay.