For the next 17 years, Marco explored the far-flung provinces of the Khan's conquered empire. He went to places that would not be seen by another European for centuries to come. He traveled through a land that had given birth to one of the world's most ancient civilizations, a land with traditions going back for thousands of years.

His travels took him throughout China, north to the Mongol city of Karakorum, and south to Burma (called Myanmar today), India, and Tibet. He sailed the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, and explored the islands of Java and Sri Lanka. Wherever he went, his most important task was to keep his eyes and ears open. Marco was careful to learn everything he could about the cities and provinces he visited, for he knew that Kublai Khan would want to hear every detail during Marco’s return visits to the Emperor's court.

Marco set off on his first mission, excited to be traveling again. He journeyed by horse, stopping at post-houses, which were spaced at regular intervals along the roads. These post-houses were part of the Khan's imperial messenger service, called the Yam. At each post-house, horses were kept for the Khan's couriers. The couriers wore bells so they could be heard approaching from far away. By the time they arrived at the post-house, a horse was already saddled and waiting for them. They leaped on to the new mount and continued on their journey. In this way, the couriers could travel 300 miles a day, and deliver messages quickly to cities all over China.

Travel was pleasant through the green countryside. The tree-lined roads were shady and cool. Marco saw vineyards and orchards of mulberry trees, the leaves of which were used to feed the precious silkworms. He saw fields of ginger, bamboo cane, wheat, and rice. Peasants tilled the fields surrounding their small villages, making crops to sell in the markets of the one

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bustling cities.

The cities! Marco was stunned to find, in province after another, large and prosperous cities that made the cities of Europe look like villages. Transportation and communication systems were efficient and wide-reaching. Goods traveled by barge along canals and by wagon along the wide roads.

On this and all of his journeys, Marco rode long miles and traveled for months at a time. He crossed the wide, rushing Yellow River (the Huang He). In earlier times, a young woman had been thrown into the river every year as a sacrifice to the river god. He crossed the Yangtze River (the Jian): at 3,400 miles long, the longest river in Asia and third-longest in the world. It was so wide that Marco thought it was the sea! He climbed a high mountain range and came to a wild region that had once been inhabited but was now empty of people. Its towns were in ruins, victims of Mongol attacks. Tigers, bears, and other wild animals roamed the streets.

Tibet

After weeks of travel south from the Khan's palace, Marco reached the border of Tibet (once an independent country, now it is a province of China). In this country of grasslands, forests, and steep, snow-covered mountains, the people wore thick furs against the frigid air. Men