When I first saw this, I had the same thought Element did, but I just did a report on the original for my humanities class, so... No to that one. Yes to the dark one. I think I heard about it maybe a decade ago, so I poked around out of curiosity.
I have been on parts of it over the years. I have never traveled the whole length, I do not feel like spending time in an Iranian prison or some of the ones in the "Stans" There are still routes you can travel on it through Iraq and Afghanistan. If you try remember to wear your Kevlar etc. The caravansaries in Jordon, Lebanon, Turkey and India are unique
The starting point in Xian (China) is an excellent trip. The Grey Goose Pagoda and the Tombs with the Terra Cotta Warriors are worth the trip. Besides the airport is new.
China is building a new transport line to Pakistan along portions of the Silk Road. This is being doen to bypass possible Indian interference with their trade routs through the Straights of Malacca.
Here is a Caravansaries on the Jordanian and Syrian border, 3 km inside Jordon. Dates from around 848. The hills in the background are Syria. The second snap is 15 km further into Jordon. This is where TH Lawrence mustered his forces with the house of Faud to frustrate the Crown and set the stage for the rise of Saudi Arabia
Element 99 