Marco Polo was "by no means a solitary traveler," Chu Xiaobo, director of Shanghai Museum said at the opening on Nov 22. "In his time, there was an endless stream of merchants, envoys, pilgrims and artists moving back and forth on the ancient Silk Road. Many travelers left records of political culture, social beliefs, and economic life. From these historical texts, it is not difficult to see that each civilization has its own strengths. They learn from each other and together contribute to the progress of world history."

The exhibition is divided into five parts: City of Commerce, Bilateral Exchange, Capital of Splendor, The Bustling World, and The Traveler.