Marco Polo was very impressed with trade on the Yangtze. The Mongols used the Grand Canal to transport grain to the capital. Kublai Khan improved the communication system within his empire. At first ...

An illustration from a medieval French manuscript depicts the Polo brothers’ meeting with Kublai Khan. Credit: Bibliothèque nationale de France. This year marks the 700th anniversary of Marco ...

This leader wasn't just a warrior but a statesman, a visionary, and an empire builder. His name? Kublai Khan, the man who cemented Mongol rule over China and established the Yuan Dynasty.

How did the Mongols gain power? The Mongols gained their power by war. It was by conquering the Chinese empire and not letting their people rise and become too powerful that the Mongols gained power.