Where was Marco Polo filmed? Explore the stunning Kazakh steppes, Venetian canals, and Slovak mountains behind Kublai Khan’s legendary court.
It’s 2014. Netflix is still figuring out original series. Then someone says, “Let’s spend $90 million on Marco Polo.” Cue record scratch.
The result is two seasons of historical fan fiction. Lorenzo Richelmy plays Marco. Benedict Wong plays Kublai Khan. Michelle Yeoh kicks butt as Hundred Eyes, a blind kung fu master.
The plot? Marco gets separated from his father. He becomes Kublai’s “guest” – a political hostage. He spends two seasons navigating Mongol politics, romance, and backstabbing.
But here’s the kicker: They barely filmed the series in China. Or Mongolia. So, where was Marco Polo filmed? All over Eurasia, none of it was where it was supposed to be, and that’s kind of the magic.
Table of Contents
🗺️ Where Was Marco Polo Filmed?
Ready to chase a Venetian across three continents? Grab your yak butter tea and saddle up. Here’s exactly where the Marco Polo Netflix series filmed its scenes set in the Mongol Empire.
🐎 Kazakhstan – The Real Mongolian Steppes
Filming in actual Mongolia meant negotiating with… well, Mongolia. Kazakhstan had similar landscapes, experienced horse wranglers, and much simpler permits.
Plus, those steppe vistas? Chef’s kiss.
What was filmed here:
- Cavalry battle sequences: Epic Season 1 finale – real Kazakh horsemen and armies clash.
- Mongol encampments: Every time you saw a sea of yurts (gers) stretching to the horizon.
- Horse-archer training: Marco learning to shoot while riding.
- Army march sequences: Long shots of Mongol columns winding through valleys.
Trivia:
- The production set up temporary camps that became small villages.
- The crew had to drive 4-6 hours from Almaty daily to reach these remote spots. That’s a 12-hour round trip before anyone yelled “action.”
- They brought in so many horses that local Kazakh herders thought an actual invasion was happening. One asked if China was attacking again.
🍝 Venice, Italy – Where Marco’s Daddy Issues Began
Venice hasn’t changed its basic layout in 800 years. Minimal set dressing required. Plus, you can’t fake those canals. The production spent several days capturing establishing shots and canal scenes.
What was filmed here:
- Opening Venice sequences: Young Marco waving goodbye, the merchant ships, the bustling Rialto.
- St. Mark’s Square (recreated): Some square scenes were partially dressed because modern tourists ruin the 13th-century vibe.
- Polo family home interiors: These were actually Malaysian studio sets designed to look Venetian.
Historical irony: The real Marco Polo probably never imagined his hometown would become a tourist trap where people pay €8 for a thimble of gelato. The showrunners wisely avoided modern elements, though one crew member admitted they had to CGI-out a guy wearing a “Kiss Me I’m Venetian” t-shirt.
🏔️ Slovakia – Mountains in Season 2
Season 2 needed a colder, harsher wilderness for the “Silk Road gets dangerous” plot. Slovakia has dramatic alpine scenery and film-friendly permits.
What was filmed here:
- High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry): Marco and company crossing treacherous alpine routes.
- Slovak Paradise National Park: The ambush scenes where our heroes fight bandits on narrow forest trails.
- Súľov Rocks: Weirdly beautiful rock formations in hunting scenes.
- “Siberian taiga” sequences: Cold, snowy wilderness pretending to be Siberia.
Trivia:
- The crew had to carry equipment on foot because no roads reach these spots.
- The actors wore multiple layers under their costumes and still complained. A lot.
- The Slovak crew reportedly taught the international cast several local curses. By week two, everyone could insult each other’s livestock in perfect Slovak.
🎬 Studio Locations – Movie Magic & Air Conditioning
Building a 13th-century Yuan dynasty palace in Malaysia cost about 1/3 of what China would’ve charged. Pinewood Iskandar had just opened a brand-new facility begging for a big-budget tenant, and Netflix happily obliged.
Meanwhile, Hungary’s Korda Studios served as the European branch office – cheaper crews, excellent facilities, and Budapest looks vaguely like half a dozen historical cities if you squint.
Travel tip:
- Budapest is a Hollywood favorite. Visit Korda Filmpark for an interactive tour – you can even shoot and act in a short film. It’s a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how blockbusters are made.
What was filmed here:
- Kublai Khan’s Imperial Palace: 50+ sets across five Malaysian stages. Korda provided backup throne rooms.
- Khanbalik court chambers: Conspiracies between Empress Chabi and Prince Jingim.
- Silk Road trading hubs: Marco buying stuff and getting into trouble.
- Combat scenes: Hundred Eyes training Marco, palace coup attempts, and smaller fights.
- Renaissance Rome: In a 13th-century show? Yeah, timeline gets fuzzy.
- Monastery interiors: Any stone-walled religious building? Probably Korda.
- Johor tropical forests: Exterior “southern China” scenes.
- Dialogue-heavy interiors: Because Kazakhstan means wind, dust, and a crying sound guy.
- Intimate moments: Romances, betrayals, “I’m secretly poisoning your tea.”
- Fire & practical effects: No accidental steppe fires.
- Pickup shots & reshoots: Cheaper than flying back to Kazakhstan.
Trivia:
- The production occupied all 5 Malaysian soundstages simultaneously. Crew members reportedly got lost so often they started leaving breadcrumbs.
- Korda‘s main soundstage is so massive that crew members used bicycles to get around during construction.
- The Malaysian tropical heat made it hard for actors in heavy Mongol armor to endure. A lot. The air conditioning bill alone could fund a small film.
❓ Facts About Marco Polo
Nerdy, historical, and practical facts about Marco Polo.
Where was Marco Polo from?
Marco Polo was from the Republic of Venice, a powerhouse of Mediterranean trade. His wealthy merchant family basically owned the silk business.
When and where was Marco Polo born?
1254 in Venice – maybe. Some say Korčula, Croatia (then Venetian territory). Both Venice and Croatia claim him. You can visit Casa di Marco Polo, his home in Venice near the Rialto Bridge.
What are some interesting facts about Marco Polo?
- He wasn’t the first European in China (his dad and uncle got there first).
- His book was written in prison (dictated to a romance writer named Rustichello).
- He probably never actually saw some of the things he described (rhinoceroses as unicorns? Come on, Marco).
How did Marco Polo die?
In 1324, in Venice, likely from illness. He was about 70 – impressively old for the 14th century. He was buried at the San Lorenzo church in the sestiere of Castello (Venice). His last words? “I didn’t tell half of what I saw.”
Was Venice Marco Polo Airport named after him?
Yes! VCE airport code. The real Marco Polo would be horrified by the security lines and the fact that you can’t smoke indoors anymore.
Is the Marco Polo series accurate?
Short answer: No. Long answer: HELL no. The show is “historical fan fiction” according to its own creators.
- Real Marco was a merchant, not a kung fu warrior.
- Kublai Khan was a literate statesman and poet, not a grunting barbarian.
- The Hundred Eyes character is loosely based on a general named Bayan who was neither blind nor a monk.
- The Siege of Xiangyang happened before Marco arrived.
- And Prester John? A medieval hoax letter from 1165 that Europeans believed for centuries.
Where did Marco Polo travel?
China, Mongolia, Persia (Iran), India, and Southeast Asia. His route took about 24 years round-trip. The show compresses this timeline dramatically because watching someone travel for two decades is boring television.
Where were Marco Polo’s palace scenes filmed?
Almost entirely at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios. The throne room, council chambers, and private quarters were constructed sets, not historical locations.
Who was in the Marco Polo series cast?
- Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo
- Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan
- Joan Chen as Empress Chabi
- Remy Hii as Prince Jingim
- Michelle Yeoh as Hundred Eyes
- Tom Wu as Hundred Eyes’ stunt double
How many episodes are in the Marco Polo Series 1?
Marco Polo Season 1 had 10 glorious, over-budget episodes. Season 2 had 10 as well. That’s it. 20 episodes total before cancellation.
Why was the Marco Polo series cancelled?
Because it cost $200 million over two seasons and didn’t get Game of Thrones ratings. Netflix took a $200 million bath, critics were mixed, and the algorithm said “nope.” It was Netflix’s first big-budget cancellation, marking their shift toward data-driven content decisions.
Was Marco Polo worth $90 million?
Not really – Netflix took a $200 million loss. But it’s gorgeous, ambitious, and Benedict Wong is magnetic as Kublai Khan. The locations stun, the production design is insane, and that cancellation cliffhanger will make you throw a pillow at your TV.
Is the 2007 Marco Polo miniseries more historically accurate?
Yes. The 2007 Marco Polo miniseries starring Ian Somerhalder and BD Wong follows Marco’s real travels. It’s still a TV drama, not a documentary. But no kung fu monks, blind martial arts masters, action hero nonsense.
🍿 Where to Watch Marco Polo Series
Because binge-watching beats rewatching the cancellation cliffhanger on repeat.
- Netflix: Despite Netflix producing and cancelling it.
- DVD/Blu-ray: Behind-the-scenes docs and deleted scenes.
- Other platforms: iTunes/Apple TV, YouTube.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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