<P> These artistic influences can be seen in the development of Buddhism where, for instance, Buddha was first depicted as human in the Kushan period . Many scholars have attributed this to Greek influence . The mixture of Greek and Indian elements can be found in later Buddhist art in China and throughout countries on the Silk Road . </P> <P> The production of art consisted of many different items that were traded along the Silk Roads from the East to the West . One common product, the lapis lazuli, was a blue stone with golden specks, which was used as paint after it was ground into powder . </P> <P> On 22 June 2014, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the Silk Road a World Heritage Site at the 2014 Conference on World Heritage . The United Nations World Tourism Organization has been working since 1993 to develop sustainable international tourism along the route with the stated goal of fostering peace and understanding . </P> <P> Bishkek and Almaty each have a major east - west street named after the Silk Road (Kyrgyz: Жибек жолу, Jibek Jolu in Bishkek, and Kazakh: Жібек жолы, Jibek Joly in Almaty). </P>

Who controlled the land trade routes to asia