In Xanadu

In Xanadu follows British travel writer Colin Thubron as he retraces Marco Polo's 13th-century journey from Jerusalem to Kubla Khan's legendary palace of Xanadu in Inner Mongolia. The book chronicles Thubron's 1980s expedition across 150 days and 11,000 miles through Israel, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and China. During his travels, Thubron encounters both ancient historical sites and modern geopolitical realities in regions rarely visited by Westerners. He moves through landscapes that have changed dramatically since Polo's time while uncovering elements that remain unchanged after seven centuries. Thubron combines historical research about Marco Polo's original journey with direct observations of the places and people he meets along his route. His narrative alternates between examining Polo's accounts and documenting his own experiences navigating through politically complex territories. The book explores themes of historical truth versus myth, the evolution of civilizations over time, and how stories shape our understanding of places. Through parallel journeys separated by centuries, it raises questions about what motivates humans to undertake ambitious explorations into unknown territories.

Readers appreciate Thubron's poetic writing style and his ability to blend historical details with modern travelogue. Many note his skill at describing landscapes and local characters encountered along Marco Polo's route. Reviews highlight the author's persistence in completing the journey despite numerous obstacles. Common criticisms include the book's slow pacing in certain sections and occasional dense historical passages that interrupt the narrative flow. Some readers found Thubron's scholarly tone creates emotional distance. Review quotes: "Beautiful prose but sometimes gets lost in historical minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures both the romance and harsh realities of the Silk Road" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) The book receives particular praise from history enthusiasts and travel literature fans, though casual readers sometimes report difficulty maintaining interest through the more academic sections.

Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron This travelogue follows the ancient trade routes from China to Turkey, exploring the same historical paths and cultural intersections that fascinated Marco Polo.

The Lost Heart of Asia by Colin Thubron A journey through Central Asia in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse reveals the transformation of ancient cities and landscapes that Marco Polo once traversed.

Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger The account chronicles a crossing of the Empty Quarter of Arabia, documenting vanishing Bedouin cultures and unexplored territories in the tradition of great expedition narratives.

Over the High Passes by Christina Noble This narrative tracks a solo journey through the Himalayan kingdoms, tracing ancient trading routes and documenting remote Buddhist communities.

The Way of the World by Nicolas Bouvier The chronicle follows a 1950s expedition from Geneva to the Khyber Pass, detailing encounters along the historical trade routes connecting Europe and Asia.

🌟 The book traces Marco Polo's 13th-century journey from Jerusalem to Xanadu, with author Colin Thubron following the exact 7-month route in 1985 🏰 Xanadu (Shangdu) was the legendary summer palace of Kublai Khan, located in Inner Mongolia, and was completely abandoned by the 14th century ✒️ Colin Thubron completed this ambitious journey despite not speaking any of the local languages along the route, relying on interpreters and sign language 🐪 The author traveled through eleven countries including Israel, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, often using local transportation like buses and horses 🎭 The book's title was inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem "Kubla Khan," which begins "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan / A stately pleasure-dome decree"