How did the two branches of the Silk Road meet at Dunhuang?

In ancient times, the city of Dunhuang served as a vital convergence point for the Silk Road. The two primary branches of the trade route, which ran along the northern and southern edges of the Tarim Basin, met at this location in western Gansu province.1

As the first major trading town encountered by merchants entering Chinese-administered territory from the west, Dunhuang functioned as a critical commercial center and caravan hub. Its strategic importance was further solidified when it was brought under Chinese control during the Han dynasty, leading to the establishment of a commandery in 111 BCE to protect and manage this essential gateway.1