The Silk Road was the main artery of transportation and cultural transmission from the east of China to the centre of the then economic capital of the world, Constantinople. Through the autonomous region of Xinjiang and the Uyghur people to the Persians, Somalis, Greeks, Syrians, Romans, Armenians and Indians. In its time, the Silk Road was a bustling network coursed by many a weary merchants and logistical-minded people trying to bring prosperity to the land and its people through these exchanges.

Discovery has always been an intrinsic ingredient in adventure, and that goes hand in hand with skateboarding. Patrik Wallner had this idea to travel the ancient trading highway from the east, all the way to the west. Hours on top of hours of train rides across the large country.

A band of unlikely characters coming from all over the world joined up for the excursion. From Europe, Australia and America Daniel Pannemann, Taylor Nawrocki, Barney Page, Vladik Scholz, James Capps, Tim McMeel, Patrik Wallner, Tommy Zhao and Mike O’Meally.

For some it was the first time travelling Asia, setting foot first in Shanghai. Undoubtedly the financial heart of China and Asia and perhaps the undeclared skating capital of the East. They all met up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to traipse west and follow trade’s infamous forgotten network.