Cathay
Poetic Far East
Cathay is an archaic or poetic name for China, derived from the name of a medieval kingdom.
The term survives mainly in literary contexts and brand names: Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong's major airline.
Marco Polo's accounts helped popularize the name in medieval Europe, where it evoked exotic Eastern wealth and mystery.
Lagoon city, northeastern Italy
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- travelogueAccount of journeys abroad
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- caravanTraveling group with goods
Kublai Khan · merchant · trade · cultural exchange · exploration · chronicle · navigation · ethnography
Successive family rulers
- emperorMale ruler of empire
- TangMedieval Chinese empire
- YuanKhan-founded Chinese dynasty
- MingChinese imperial era, 1368–1644
Han · Forbidden City · Great Wall · Terracotta Army · Confucius · Laozi · calligraphy · pagoda
Groups traveling together
- merchantsThose who conduct commerce
- spicesAromatic food flavorings
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
tea · camels · trade routes · bazaars · trading posts · commerce · incense · jade
Venice
Lagoon city, northeastern Italy
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- travelogueAccount of journeys abroad
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
Kublai Khan · caravan · merchant · trade · cultural exchange · exploration · chronicle · navigation · ethnography · diplomacy
dynasty
Successive family rulers
Ming · Han · Forbidden City · Great Wall · Terracotta Army · Confucius · Laozi · calligraphy · pagoda · mandarins
caravans
Groups traveling together
porcelain · tea · camels · trade routes · bazaars · trading posts · commerce · incense · jade · caravaneers
China
East Asian superpower
- OrientEastern regions collectively
- Far EastEastern Asian region
- Middle KingdomChina's traditional self-designation
mystique · exotic · alluring · faraway · romanticized · literary · archaic · evocative · legendary · fabled
Persia
Iran's former name
Abyssinia · Nippon · Hindustan · Albion · Gaul · obsolete · antiquated
CathayPeople's Republic of China
East Asian communist state
modern China · China · PRC · mainland China