Why has China and the Orient been so prized in the past by traders?

Question

I know they had silk and spices, but was this the only reasons?
You think that the traders could figure out how to make them without having to travel on the other side of the world to get them dont you? What were other reasons? what were the real reasons?

Answer 1

I tend to think that perhaps it was a two way thing, you know take some thing out there and bring something back .The silk thing you asked why didnt they (the traders) figure out how to do it over here rather then travel so far, maybe they tried, but then the silk worms only eat one sort of leaf which isn't ,or wasn't found over here at the time,and would of been a long and costly thing to do, where as perhaps the traders could take some thing that,that place needed really badly and so it was worth it to do a trade.In London the cost of silk was like buying a gold very pricey,and the traders got a very good return for what most likely didnt cost them to much.Remember the chinese had the makings of the first gun powder,do try going into google as i am sure you well find your answer.

Answer 2

Because, China is the only suplier for silk, herbs, spices, tea leaves for Europe, especially when the Vereenidge-Oost-Indische Compagnie (British EastIndia Company) monopolizes the trade route between Europe and China, mainly the Indian Ocean, Straits of Malacca, Malacca, Penang, Singapore.

Answer 3

Well when you look back at the history of Chinese civilisation, they invented almost everything. Not only that, the Chinese also had many valuable materials and resources which traders couldn't find anywhere else. Therefore, China was (and still is now) a big trading hotspot.

Answer 4

They had lots of nice opium, which sold better than silk and spices

Answer 5

Fridges didn't exist so they REALLY needed spices to conserv food. It's difficult to understand, but it was vital for them.

Answer 6

Tea

Answer 7

all the goods they had.