The Glory of Iranian Culture and Civilization in China

The relation between Iran and China goes back elements the time of Arsacids. This historical relationship was the result of two practical ways: a) the Silk Road, which was as a major road between eastern and western Asia passing through the north of Iran and b) the Persian Gulf located in the south of Iran. The Silk Road was a well-known commercial and religious connection between west and east for the Parthians and especially the Sogdians. Thus, it is not surprising to read or hear new findings revealing the extension of ancient cultural heritage of Iran in China (and even Japan). The archaeologists have recently shown some new aspects of ancient Iranian culture in China including a stone bas-relief of Sag-did, famous Zoroastrian funeral and a new bilingual Sogdian-Chinese inscription. This article investigates these two Iranian cultural artifacts encountered in China.