ZhangQian (164BC -- 114BC), born in Chenggu County, Shaanxi Province, was an outstanding explorer, traveler and diplomat in the Han Dynasty, who made significant contributions to the development of the Silk Road . In the HanDynasty (204BC-220AD) he opened up the silk road to the Western Regions. A lot of things were introduced from the western regions to China, such as horses,grapes, alfalfa, pomegranates, sesame, sesame and ostrich eggs, etc. So Zhangqian was called the pioneer of the silk road and the Columbus in the east as well.

At the time Zhang Qian set out from Chang 'an, the east and west of the world were still isolated from each other. Zhang Qian's arrival in central Asia was 1,100 years earlier than Marco Polo, an Italian traveler, setting foot on the land of China and 1300 years earlier than Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus setting sail. At beginning as the Emperor Wudi decided to open the path to the west, the original idea was to conquer Xiongnu(Huns) and expand the territory of Han dynasty. But  after the war was over, the China silk by Zhangqian took to the western regions was going continuously towards the western world, the western treasures and gold were poured into the capital chang 'an along the beaming silk road in the western Han dynasty. The ancient China and the distant western world were connected by the Silk Road, a long journey led by pioneer ,Zhang Qian.

The scene and story of Zhangqian going to west regions were also painted on the wall of cave No. 323 of Mogao grottos.

On September15, 1992, China Post issued the fourth set of Dunhuang Fresco stamps which included the mural of Zhangqian going to west regions as well.