The network of the Silk Road was soon flourished during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). However, later in 12th century, the entire communities and active oasis towns along the Silk Road were disappearing in the space, as the glacier-fed streams ran try. As well, of course, the downfall of Tang Dynasty led to political chaos and an unstable economy less able to support foreign imports. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) shut China off from the outside world, ending the centuries-old exchange of culture and religion in East and West.