A Research On Economy And Culture Of The Ancient South Silk Road

Much attention has been paid to the Silk Road and relevant issue earlier as it considered as the ancient overland commercial trading route connecting Asia and Europe. However, studies on the South Silk Road are still relatively weak, especially on its trading activities and the cultural and economic ideology compared to the North Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road.This paper consists of the following 6 parts:The introduction part includes the background of the emergence of the economic and cultural issue, history, significance, theoretical framework and research method regarding to the South Silk Road. The first Chapter reviews the rise and fall of the South Silk Road:it dated from Pre-Qin Period, experienced the emergence and development of Sui and Tang Dynasties and the prosperity of Ming Dynasty, weathered the ups and downs of Qing Dynasty with the changes of regional political landscape, and thrived during the Jia-Dao period. The second chapter analyzes the economic and cultural development of the South Silk Road which embodies a rich history. It connects the trade exchange with routes, results in a growing number of commercial districts, establishes and develops the trading routes in the south over land and sea which enables ancient Chinese culture to spread around adjacent or even further countries and areas. Meanwhile, the development of the South Silk Road which are inevitably affected and limited by the natural environment and social economy over time embodies the developmental history of China and relevant areas. The third chapter generalizes all sorts of basic states of economy and culture of the South Silk Road. Adopting typology-based approach, this part investigates the emergence, development and characteristics of all sorts of economic and cultural states. The forth chapter discusses the integration and coexistence between the economy and culture of the Southern Silk Road and multi-culture. Moreover it explores the commerce, society, economy and religion of ethic groups’ along the trade route. The fifth part explains the revival of the South Silk Road’s economy and culture, and examines the opportunities and challenges now facing the South Silk Road in a new period from the perspective of historical materialism. Furthermore, it analyzes the status and functions of Yunnan as the transfer center of "the Belt and Road" initiative. Lastly, it provides strategies and suggestions of constructing the economic region of the Southern Silk Road as to expand open borders for Yunnan Province, for instance, to reconstruct the South Silk Road by establishing Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor.Incorporating relevant resources comprehensively and systematically, this paper reviews the emergence and development history of the Ancient South Silk Road, discusses the economy and culture that it manifests, and analyzes the role it plays in ancient China and transnational economic activities from an interdisciplinary perspective. To emphasize on the opportunities and challenges now facing the South Silk Road against the backdrop of China’s Belt and Road Initiative during the new historical period, This paper aims at providing a fresh view on identifying and understanding the pathway for trade and cultural exchange comprehensively and deeply, as well as offering valuable references to analyze, study,understand trans-regional economic and cultural exchange.