A Chinese explorer of the Han dynasty, the first man to bring back reliable information of the lands in central Asia to China.

In 138 BC, with a task of creating relations with the Yue-chi people against Xiongnu, Zhang Qian was dispatched to the Western Regions by the emperor of the Han dynasty Wudi. Unfortunately, on the way to the Western regions, he was captured by the Xiongnus as hostage. Detained by Xiongnus for about ten years, Zhang Qian finally found a chance to flee. After escaping and continuing the journey, Zhang Qian eventually found the Yue-chi in Northern India. However, satisfied with their life, the Yue-chi refused to form an alliance against the Xiongnu. On the return journey, Zhang Qian and his delegation were captured by another tribe, and it was not until 125 B.C. that they returned to China. Though he failed to achieve a military alliance with the Yue-chi, he was well acquainted with the geography, people, customs and cultures of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions. The Han emperor was interested in what they had seen and sent more expeditions to west.

In 119 B.C., with 300 men, 10,000 sheep, extra mounts and quantities of gold and silk, Zhang Qian set off on his second trip. Attempted to seek alliance with Wu-sun people, Zhang Qian traveled Dunhuang, Loulan, Kucha, then the capital of Wu-sun kingdom in the Ili River. His missions to the west led to the formalization of trade, especially the silk trade, between China and Persia. Zhang Qian died in 113 B.C.

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