Marco's journey was influenced by his family’s mercantile background. His father and uncles, Niccolò and Maffeo Polo, were established traders who had ventured into Asia, meeting the powerful Mongol leader, Kublai Khan. In 1269, after returning to Venice, they reunited with Marco and set off again for Asia. Along the Silk Road, they encountered various cultures and challenges before reaching Cathay, modern-day China, where they were welcomed by Kublai Khan’s court. The Khan was impressed with Marco’s intelligence and demeanor, appointing him as his foreign emissary. This role allowed Marco to undertake diplomatic missions across the Mongol Empire and beyond, traveling to places such as Burma, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.