Zhang Qian (张骞, Zhāng Qiān, around 164BC-114BC ) was an imperial envoy of Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BC. At that time the Xiongnu (central Asian tribe) controlled modern Inner Mongolia and dominated much of modern Xiyu (Western Regions).

The Han court sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions in 138 BC with a delegation of over 100 members. Zhang's first mission was to seek a military alliance with the Yuezhi (月氏, Yuèzhī) in modern Tajikistan. On route he was captured by the Xiongnu and detained for ten years. Zhang finally made it to Yuezhi and spent about one year there and the Bactrian territory, documenting their cultures, lifestyles and economy, before returning to China.

He was the first official diplomat to bring back reliable information about Central Asia to China. Under Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (汉武帝, Hàn Wǔdì, 157BC-87BC), he also played an important pioneering role in the Chinese colonization and conquest of the region now known as Xinjiang.