东西贸易集散地

　　骆驼结队望北斗，商贾负绝举兕觥。
　　宛马锦囊藏碧玉，青霜大路踏三更。
　　——王伯敏《高昌有怀》
　　东西贸易集散地
　　公元4世纪时，高昌民间以绢、练或毯做交易媒介；后来的高昌国及西州，为适应频繁的外贸，既可用练、绢交易，又流通中原铜钱、高昌仿东罗马金币和波斯银币等，使西州成为东西物资交流的集散地。这里汇聚来自中原和西方各地的产品，种类众多，百物具陈。为适应各路商贾之需，西来东往或东来西去的过境商人、运输驼队，均在西州停留，相互贸易，体现了西州在丝路商贸上的枢纽地位。
　　Major Trading Center between West and East
　　During the 4th century,silk or blankets were used as the medium of exchange for trade among the people of Qocho.In order to adapt to frequent foreign trade,commerce was carried out either by the means of trading silk or by the circulation of coins from Central China,locally minted Eastern Roman coins,and Persian silver coins.Xizhou has thus been transformed into a center of trade that linked East and West.It brought together a variety of products from various regions such as Central China and the West.In order to meet the need of merchants from various regions,traders and caravans crossing borders stayed in Xizhou,which reflects the pivotal position of Xizhou in commerce along the Silk Roads.