!

Marco Polo was born in 1254, probably in Venice but possibly in Croatia. Here is a description of his travels, written as a diary.

1260
My mother died this year. Im very sad. I will go and live with my aunt and uncle. My father, Niccolo, is a businessman. He lives in Constantinople. He left Venice before I was born so I have never seen him. My uncle , Maffeo, is with my father.

1278
I am travelling around Asia for the Kublai Khan. I have been to Tibet, Burma and India. I see many wonderful things. People even use money made from paper!

1288
We want to go home now, but the Khan wants us to stay in China.

1262
My father and uncle went to China. They met the king of China. The king of China is called the Kublai Khan.

1292
The Kublai Khans daughter is going to get married to the king of Persia. The Kublai Khan has asked me to take her there. We will sail on 14 ships with 600 people.

1269
My father has come to Venice! Its the first time I have seen him. He had a letter from the Kublai Khan with him. In the letter, the Kublai Khan asked for 100 people to go to China and teach his people about life in Europe.

1294
I went to Persia for the wedding of the princess. On the way, I visited Singapore and India. It was a difficult journey and there were many storms.

1271
My father and uncle are going back to China. And I am going with him! With us are two other men. Dad couldnt find 100 people!

1295
I have returned to Venice. But Venice is at war with Genoa. I will join the army of Venice.

1273
We are walking across the Gobi Desert. It is a very big desert. It is full of mountains and sand. There is nothing to eat.

September 1298
I am a prisoner. Soldiers from Genoa put me in prison. But I met another prisoner here. He is a writer. He is writing about my travels.

1274
We finally arrived in China! The two other men went home because they were scared. We went to the Kublai Khans palace . It is called Xanadu. I met the Kublai Khan. He seems to like me. Now I am learning Chinese.

August 1299
I am free!

1307
The book is finished! Lots of people are reading it. Marco Polo died in January 1324 in Venice. He was 74 years old.

1275
The Kublai Khan wants me to travel around China.

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