Ancient China was an isolated land because of the numerous mountains, dangerous deserts, and vast seas. In fact, thousands of years passed before overland and sea routes to the West gradually connected China to Central Asia, India, and Europe. The Pacific Ocean to the east of China also prevented foreigners from reaching China.
The Gobi Desert in ancient China is one of the driest deserts in the world. The Taklamankan Desert, which means "enter and you shall never return", is in the northwest.
China also has some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. …
