The exhibition The Perfect Path: Marco Polo's 'City of Heaven' recently opened at the China Academy of Art of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province of China, commemorating the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. Open to the public from November 11, 2024, to January 10, 2025, the event highlights the legacy of the famed Venetian explorer and cultural ambassador.

Organized by the China Academy of Art in collaboration with the Venice Biennale, this marks the first time that exhibitions from the Venice Biennale are being held outside Italy.  

With 43 sets of works on display, the participating artists are recognized for their unconventional approaches across various artistic genres, blending traditional influences with the latest technological advancements. The exhibition features contemporary works by 18 Chinese artists and artistic groups, showcasing innovative visual language rooted in China’s rich cultural traditions.

Marco Polo visited Hangzhou nearly eight centuries ago, famously describing it as ‘beyond dispute the finest and the noblest in the world.’ His writings in The Travels of Marco Polo introduced China's remarkable culture to the Western world for the first time. This year not only marks the 700th anniversary of Polo's death but also the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, further underscoring the exhibition's significance.