Under the sponsorship of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), a desert route expedition of the Silk Road consisting of 33 scholars (see the name list in appendix) from different countries set out from Xi’an on July 20, 1990, passing through Baoji, Tianshui, Lanzhou, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Hami, Turpan , Korla, Yanqi, Kuqa, Aksu, Kashgar, and finally arriving in Urumqi. During August 19—21, 1990, an international seminar was held inUrumqi. Fifty—one scholars from different countries, in addition to the members of the expedition team, were invited to attend the meeting.