Kublai Khan was a grandson
of Chinggis Khan and the
emperor of China.
Kublai Khan adopted the Chinese
name “Yuan” for his dynasty.
Kublai Khan encouraged his
Mongol soldiers to adopt
Chinese ways.
However,
Chinese men
were
not allowed
to serve in
the
Mongol
government.
Kublai Khan built a new capital
city in Beijing, China.
During the reign of Kublai Khan,
a period of peace in the Mongol
Empire known as the
Pax Mongolia began.
Trade and travel greatly
increased during this
time of peace.
The Mongols built roads and
highways and protected
travelers.
During this period of peace,
Marco Polo, the Italian merchant,
visited Kublai Khan’s court.
Astounded by the technological
superiority of the Chinese,
Marco Polo shared his stories
of China’s fabulous wealth.
A book was written about the
travels of Marco Polo. It
was very popular in Western
Europe.
Marco Polo’s travels increased
European interest in China.