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In 1275, Kublai Khan warmly greeted Marco, Niccolo, and Maffeo Polo at his summer palace. It was called Shangdu (or “Xanadu”).
Marco’s book says that Kublai really liked him. Over the next 17 years, Kublai sent Marco on many missions all over the Mongol empire. Kublai said the emissaries he sent out usually didn’t tell him enough about the places they visited. Marco wanted to do a better job, so that’s probably why there are so many details in his book. He wanted to be a good observer for Kublai.
In the painting below, Kublai Khan welcomes Marco Polo.
