The Chinese Buddhist monk Faxian travelled overland through Central Asia into northern India in search of authoritative monastic texts, studied at major Buddhist centres, and returned to China by merchant ships through Sri Lanka and Java.
Sources and further reading
A Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms by Faxian, University of Washington Silk Road Seattle. English translation of Faxian’s primary travel account, supporting the broad route, religious purpose, Indian study, Sri Lankan stay, maritime return through Java, and dangers of travel.