This research utilizes Gaihōzu (外邦図) maps, comprehensive geographic and surveillance maps created by the Japanese Empire in the early 20th century, to trace the Great Mongolian Road, one of the world's great camel caravan routes and an underexamined segment of Mongolia's historical trade network. Through georeferencing and field verification, the study delineates the route, providing new insight into historical trade infrastructure and human adaptation to arid environments in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. The Gaihōzu maps' precise locational data on landmarks, wells, and geographical features highlight their value as important historical sources for understanding Mongolia's landscape and trade history. Positioning the Great Mongolian Road within the broader context of the Silk Roads and Eurasian trade routes, the research explores the logistical realities and challenges of historical trade corridors across the Gobi Desert. This study advocates for the broader use of Gaihōzu maps in historical and geographical scholarship, providing new perspectives on the interplay between natural landscapes and human activity in shaping the region's trade and interaction pathways. Furthermore, this research contributes to conservation efforts in the Gobi Desert by identifying historically and environmentally significant sites, which can inform sustainable land management practices and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage in the face of modern development pressures.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Khasbaatar Khandmaa for his invaluable help with logistics and conducting local interviews. Our thanks also go to the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) for providing the funding that made t