Central Asia

order:
Giovanni DiPlano Carpini's "The Story Of The Mongols Whom We Call The Tartars"
5.8
Mongolia

Giovanni da Pian del Carpine

Was it naive to hope for peace with the Khan?

The Story Of The Mongols Whom We Call The Tartars | 1245 | 2 years | Mongolia | caravan
Philippe Valéry's "On The Silk Road"
5.2
Afghanistan

Philippe Valéry

Is this another author who distances himself from his story?

On The Silk Roads | 1998 | 2 years | China | walking
Guillaume de Rubrouck's "Account of the Mongols"
6.8
Mongolia

William of Rubruck

How is it possible that 750 years don’t seem to leave a trace?

Account Of The Mongols | 1253 | 2 years | China | caravan
Sun Shuyun's "Ten Thousand Miles Without A Cloud"
5.2
China

Sun Shuyun

Is this book more about contemplation or more about adventure?

Ten Thousand Miles Without A Cloud | 1999 | 2 months | India | backpacking
Jehan de Mandeville's "The Travels"
4.2
Iraq

Jean de Mandeville

Why is it so much fun to read Medieval travel stories that are at least partly untrue?

The Travels | 1322 | 34 years | Europe, Africa, Asia | caravan, walking, ship
Sven Hedin's "In The Heart Of Asia"
5
China

Sven Hedin

Are we looking at a career-obsessed explorer or at a blueprint for Indiana Jones?

In The Heart Of Asia | 1893 | 4 years | China | caravan
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta's "The Travels"
4.2
Saudi Arabia

Ibn Battuta

Did conservative ethics turn this great adventure story into such a slow read?

The Travels | 1325 | 29 years | Asia, Africa, Europe | ship, caravan
Johann Schiltberger's "The Bondage and Travels of Johann Schiltberger"
5.8
Turkey

Johann Schiltberger

Is this guy our average Joe from the Middle Ages?

The Bondage And Travels Of Johann Schiltberger, A Native Of Bavaria, In Europe, Asia, And Africa | 1394 | 33 years | Turkey | ship, caravan, walking