Who was the first European to explore China? This question has intrigued historians and scholars for centuries. The answer, surprisingly, is not as straightforward as one might think. The exploration of China by Europeans was a gradual process, involving multiple voyages and encounters over several decades. The credit for being the first European to explore China often goes to the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, but there were others who preceded him.
Marcos Polo, born in 1254 in Venice, is perhaps the most famous of the early European explorers to reach China. His journey, which began in 1271, lasted 24 years and took him through Asia to the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol emperor of China. Polo’s detailed accounts of his travels, written in his book “The Travels of Marco Polo,” provided Europeans with a wealth of information about the Far East. However, Polo was not the first European to set foot in China.
Before Polo, there were other European explorers who had made their way to China. One of the earliest was the Venetian merchant Niccolò de’ Conti, who arrived in China in 1324. Conti’s travels were documented in his book “The Travels of Niccolò de’ Conti,” which described his experiences in the Mongol Empire and China. Although Conti’s journey was shorter than Polo’s, he was one of the first Europeans to reach the region.
Another European explorer who ventured into China was the Venetian merchant and traveler William of Rubruquis, who traveled to the Mongol Empire in the late 13th century. His account of his journey, “The Journey of William of Rubruquis,” provided valuable insights into the Mongol Empire and its relationship with China. Although he did not enter China proper, his experiences were significant in the context of European exploration of the region.
While Marco Polo is often credited with being the first European to explore China, it is important to recognize the contributions of other explorers who preceded him. Their journeys and writings laid the groundwork for future European exploration and trade with China. The story of the first European to explore China is a testament to the adventurous spirit of European explorers and the interconnectedness of the world.
