- By Anshika Verma
- Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ancient Trade Routes That Still Exists: There are several ancient trade routes that still exist in the world, from the Silk Road to theSpice Route, remain vital today. These ancient trade routes have transformed into modern highways and shipping lanes. The routes that were used for transporting and exchanging goods, continue to serve as crucial corridors for maintaining global connectivity.
These ancient trade routes were pathways, both over land and sea, that were used by societies and people to exchange goods, ideas, technology, skills and culture between two distant regions. Here, we bring to you the list of the top ancient trading routes that still exist in the world. Check the full list here:
List Of Ancient Majore Trade Routes:
Trade Route | Current Region/Country | Primary Ancient Goods | Modern Usage/Legacy |
Silk Road | China, Central Asia, Europe | Spices, silk, ideas | Highways, Belt and Road trades |
Spice Route | Asia, Africa, Europe | Pepper, cinnamon, cloves | Shipping lanes, Suez Canal |
Incense Route | Arabia, Levant | Myrrh, Frankincense | Highways, Tourism |
The Amber Road | Baltic to Mediterranean | Amber | Highways and amber trade |
Tea Horse Road | India, China, Tibet | Horses and Teas | Heritage Roads and trekking |
Grand Trunk Road | South Asia | Grains, textiles, spices | Railway system, Highways |
Kalinga Coast Route | East India | Ivory, Textiles, Spices | Coastal ports and trade routes |
Via Maris | Middle East | Spices and trade goods | Regional Highways |
Salt Road | Kerala, India | Salt, spices | Heritage trekking and Roads |
Dakshinapatha | South India | Diamonds and cotton | Highways, regional connections |
1.Silk Road: Silk Road is known as the best ancient trade route that still exists. The new highways and railways, its trade route goes through Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
2. Spice Route: The Spice Route considered as an ancient network of land and trading routes that connected the East with the West. It trades spices such as pepper and cinnamon.
3. Incense Route: The Incense Route developed the transport for the Myrrh and Frankincense, they were the most valuable goods. The modern use of incense routes in tourism and highways.
4. Amber Road: The Amber Route was a famous network of the trade routes that focused and facilitated the transportation of the Baltic amber southwards to ancient civilisations.
5. Tea Horse Road: The Tea Horse Road is considered as a successful ancient trade route and network that focused on connecting China, Tivet as well as the Indian subcontinent for good exchange.
6. Grand Trunk Road: The Grand Trunk (GT) Road is one of the most historic and Asia's longest and major roads. It connected South Asia from modern Bangladesh through Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab.
7. Kalinga Coast Route: The Kalinga Coast Route was considered as a vital network of maritime and trade routes that connected India with Southeast Asia and other ancient civilizations for good exchange.
8. Via Maris: This ancient and historic trading route ran through Egypt, along the Mediterranean coast through the Levant, considered as a regional road.
9. Salt Road: This trading route refers to the ancient trading routes that were used in Kerala to transport salt and other goods like spices, herbs and rice.
10. Dakshinapatha: The Dakshinapatha is an ancient trading route that connects cities throughout Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
