Across
1. Third largest country in the world and setting for The Silk Road
2. Large area of very dry land
3. Silk producing grub
4. Nomads use these as makeshift portable homes
5. Traditional story, largely made up but sometimes based on fact
6. A person belonging to a wandering tribe
7. Staple crop of South East Asia
8. People who make their living from buying and selling
9. The largest continent in the world
10. Large grassy plant found all over Asia
11. Cute and cuddly bear-like animal native to China
12. A device which helps travellers to find their way
13. Much valued animal, thought in ancient China to be related to the dragon
14. Point on the compass
15. Supernatural creatures, often evil and also known as genies
16. Fierce but beautiful wild animal found in Asia
17. made up story about gods and spirits, often thousands of years old

Down
1. Point on the compass
2. Fire-breathing monster
3. These can be seen scattered around the desert areas of the Silk Road
4. Very fine material, worth more than gold in ancient times
5. The fascinating study of the past
6. Beast of burden in desert landscapes
7. The most treacherous desert in the world, along the Silk Road route
8. This is what desert areas largely consist of
9. The highest mountain peak in the world
10. Continent situated NW of Asia
11. Merchants travelled huge distances to bring these to Europe
12. A great holy teacher from India and founder of the Buddhist religion
13. Point on the compass
14. Point on the compass