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How did Mongol rule affect trade between Kashgar and Central Asia?

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Mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, with a large dome and four tall minarets decorated with colorful green, blue, and yellow tiles. — Kashgar A mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China.

The Mongol rule significantly boosted trade between Kashgar and Central Asia. Under the Mongols, the Silk Road network was revitalized, making travel safer and more efficient for merchants across Eurasia. This period, known as the Pax Mongolica, saw standardized taxes and tolls, along with the issuance of official passports (paiza). The Mongols also expanded the yam system, a network of postal relay stations that improved communication and long-distance travel.1

Kashgar, historically a crucial trading center at the crossroads of caravan routes, benefited greatly from these developments. The overland traffic between China and Central Asia flourished as never before under Mongol rule. This facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between East Asia and Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries.23