By: Oleanna Talia, Mahnoor Shah, Kevin Palion, and Rafi Sabhan. Marco Polo By: Oleanna Talia, Mahnoor Shah, Kevin Palion, and Rafi Sabhan.

About Marco Polo An Italian Merchant who visited China during the Yuan Dynasty. Polo left Venice with his father and uncle. To reach China he crossed Persia and Central Asia. He reached Cathay; the northern China.

His Writings He was the Interpreter of Kublai Khan to the Europeans. Polo described the mail system and wealth of China. He reported that Hangzhou was nearly 10-12 times the size of Venice.

His Tales Marco Polo traveled for 28 years which were spent serving Kublai Khan for 17. In 1295 he had returned home. Three years later, he was held captive during the war with Genoa. In 1298, he published The Travels of Marco Polo. Marco Polo describes the Kublai Khan slave experience in his book.

From The Travels of Marco Polo Description of Kublai Khan’s Palace in Cathay: The walls surrounding the palace were thick, high up, and consisted of painting as did the ceilings. The main reception room could seat more than 6,000 people. Lastly, he describes the outside filled with parks, trees, and animals habitats Marco Polo says “no architect in the world could have designed the place better.”

Conclusion Marco Polo traveled with his father and uncle only to be a slave for 17 years. Through his 28 years of traveling he experienced Kublai Khan, and the life of China. Fortunately, a book came out of his experience and tales. In the end his reports had Europeans interested in Asia riches.