People built, maintained and travelled along the Silk Roads, exchanging goods and knowledge.  This was done by forging relationships with one another, beyond their territorial and generational boundaries.  During these interactions, the faces and attire of individuals or groups of people have been constant. This has helped us understand one another's diverse cultures, identities, expressions, and feelings that lead to more profound interpersonal exchanges.

The portraits of diverse faces and attire of the Silk Roads exist within a context of shared joy, celebration, collaboration, learning, teaching, aspiration and solitude that we experience every day.  These instances are often overlooked in hidden moments.

In 2018 for its first edition, the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest encouraged participants to showcase the distinctive beauty reflected by individual faces or groups of people; each revealing a unique story about the Silk Roads.