The Silk Road: Past Present Future

The journey begins in Hangzhou and Xi'an, where the history of the silk industry to a new multi-billion dollar Internet search engine are explored.

Sumnima Udas travels to the China-Kazakhstan border to visit a new dry port and train station at Khorgos.

Continuing an 8,000-kilometer journey across the ancient silk and spice routes; traveling south from Central Asia, across remote snow-topped mountains, to explore one of Asia's most important corridors of commerce, India.

Oman has an epic history of maritime trade and thought to be the birthplace of fabled Sinbad the Sailor.

A nine-month journey along the old caravan routes between China and Italy, exploring modern innovation and commerce in the United Arab Emirates.

Exploring Georgia and Armenia through the Caucasus Mountains.

Often misrepresented in the modern era, the Vikings were the international tradesmen of their time.

Turkey is a vital point of passage for trading goods between Asia and Europe; the modern silk road has been forged, creating a new global market for Turkish products.

The final voyage begins in the birthplace of Marco Polo, Venice; engineers who keep the floating city from flooding explain the technology used; the large silk business of Lake Como; Italy's business capital, Milan.