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.
The monk and scholar Xuanzang left Tang China for Central and South Asia, crossed the Tian Shan and Hindu Kush, studied for years at Nalanda and other Buddhist centres, and returned with manuscripts that transformed Buddhist scholarship in East Asia.
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.
The Great Tang Dynasty Record of the Western Regions, University of Washington Silk Road Seattle. English translation excerpts from Xuanzang’s primary travel record, supporting major Central Asian and Indian places and observations.