Statue of Zhang Qian, a 2nd century BC imperial envoy and explorer from China during the reign of Han Emperor Wu. He was the first official diplomat to bring back reliable information about the world outside of China and his missions played a key role in opening up the Empire to commercial trade.

His pioneering travels and explorations are associated with the Silk Road and his statue stands in Xi'an (fig.), the starting point of the overland northern trade route and in the past known as Chang'an.