Did India trade with China before Columbus?

Both civilizations knew about each other:

• China first mentions India in the Shiji (史記).
• India first mentions China in the Mahabharata.

However, it was exceptionally difficult and time consuming to travel between China and India before air travel. Over land, the Himalaya mountains are a deadly obstacle. Over sea, it is a long voyage that takes you around the Malay peninsula and through the Strait of Malacca. 

So there may have been contact between China and Indian polities, but no meaningful economic relations. China saw India and the west as "heaven". China received Buddhism from India. We even have an epic fantasy story about it: Journey to the West. Dragonball's main character is based on the main character from this novel: 孫悟空

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About Chinese not from China

Chinese not from China is an overseas Chinese educated on Chinese history, fluent in two Chinese languages, and raised in Chinese culture. Learn more about me.