Li's mention of the Silk Road is a reference to the real Silk Road in Ancient Chinese History, which was a trading route in operation from the second century BC to the end of the fourteenth century AD. It originated from Chang'an in the east and ended at the Mediterranean in the west, linking China with the Roman Empire, and was given the name "Silk" because silk was the primary product traded on the road.
The writers and everyone involved on Kung Fu Panda had fallen in love with Mr. Ping's relationship with "cart." So while his cart "died" in the previous episode, we knew we had to bring him back, and in a big way.
Li's reference to "xing-sum tongue powder" is based on an actual ancient Chinese technique, where poisons would be blended into powder so as to go undetected in food or beverage.
The inspiration for the giant elephant villain "Laoshu," as well as the voice inspiration given to voice actress Grey Griffin by voice director Charlie Adler was the female villain, Xenia Onatopp, played by Famke Janssen in James Bond's Goldeneye.
The pronunciation behind "Tuoluo" became a running joke in this episode because every time anyone read the script, from voice actors Mick Wingert and Chris Swindle to voice director Charlie Adler, everyone would ask the writers "How do you pronounce this word? Two-oh-looo....?"