the explorer marco polo left his home in 1271. after many years of traveling, his party reached the summer palace of kublai knan in what is now China . polo remained at the court for 17 years. he marveled at things not yet seen in Europe. for example,common people bathed daily.roads and bridges were paved.people used paper money as currency.they also burned coal as a fuel.when polo finally returned to Europe,it took a while before people believed the stories he told or the book he wrote about his travels