The famous Italian explorer who traveled to China was Marco Polo. He embarked on his journey along the Silk Road in the late 13th century, reaching China around 1275. Serving at the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler, Polo immersed himself in the culture and politics of the region. His travels are documented in “The Travels of Marco Polo,” which provided Europeans with detailed accounts of Asian civilization, geography, and wealth. His writings sparked interest and curiosity about the East, influencing explorers and traders in the years to come and contributing to the Age of Exploration.