Marco Polo described a way of life so different from that of the Europeans that they couldn’t believe his stories.

In the year 1298, Marco Polo was taken prisoner during a war between the Italian cities of Venice and Genoa. While in prison, Polo met another captive who was a writer. Polo began to relate a fabulous story.

The story that Marco Polo dictated seemed almost impossible to believe. He described his journey across Asia to the court of the emperor Kublai Khan. Polo claimed to have spent 25 years traveling through China and neighboring countries with his father and uncle.

Among other things, Polo reported that the Chinese used paper money and burned black stones for fuel. He said he had eaten nuts as big as a man’s head. Europeans, who used only coins and didn’t know about coal or coconuts, thought that the stories must have been made up.

Marco Polo departed on his epic journey to the court of Kublai Khan in 1272, when he was 17 years old. After a journey of three years, Polo arrived at Kublai’s summer palace at Shangdu. Polo quickly learned the Mongol language, and Kublai Khan took a liking to him. In the winter, when the court moved to Khanbalik (which is now Beijing), Polo went along. He described Kublai Khan’s palace as “the most extensive that has ever yet been known.” It covered an area of four square miles.

Kublai Khan was often bored by the details of governing. Among his amusements was hunting. Polo said he used lions to capture game. Polo learned how Kublai Khan was able to keep informed of matters within his vast empire. “From the city of Khanbalik there are many roads leading to the different provinces,” he reported. Every 25 to 30 miles along these roads was a yamb. The yambs were large and splendidly furnished. “Even kings may be lodged at these stations in a becoming manner,” Polo said.

The Wonders of China

Polo filled notebooks with wonders he saw and the places he traveled. He marveled at the water clocks that were more accurate than the sundials he knew at home. He appreciated the beauty of the silken kites flown for pleasure by the ladies of the court. Kublai Khan gave Polo a job that let him travel through the empire. Polo visited Hangzhou, a magnificent city. Polo said that “its abundant delights… might lead an inhabitant to imagine himself in paradise.”

Polo was overwhelmed by the variety of goods on sale in Hangzhou. He said that the quantity of pepper on sale was a good indication of how much food was available. Each day, 43 loads of pepper were carried into the city. Each load weighed 243 pounds. “In other streets,” Polo said, “are the dwellings of the physicians and the astrologers, who also give instructions in reading and writing, as well as in many other arts.” Polo noticed that the streets of Hangzhou were paved with stone and bricks, as were all the major roads of the province. However, because the royal messengers used horses, which disliked traveling on brick roads, part of each road was left unpaved.

The Khan’s Rules and Regulations

Kublai Khan’s soldiers patrolled the streets of Hangzhou day and night. As a certain time of night, all fires and lights were supposed to be put out. If a patroller saw a light, he would put a mark on the door of the house. In the morning the owner would be brought before a judge for punishment.

The people of Hangzhou resented such treatment, for it was a reminder that the Chinese had lost control of their country to the Mongols. Polo reported that the Mongol government kept careful track of each citizen.

Polo’s story Lives on

Slowly, Europeans began to realize that Polo had told the truth. A 1375 atlas of the world used some of his information about Asia. Christopher Columbus read Polo’s book before trying to reach China by sailing west.

The wonders of Kublai Khan’s court have inspired poets and story tellers ever since. Today, historians regard Polo’s book as one of the best sources of information on China 700 years ago. The story remains as fascinating as it seemed to Polo’s prison companion.

Photo Credits:  Google

Related article: Chinese: An Inventive People