Marco Polo first introduced Kublai Khan and his empire to the West in the 13th century, while more recently a British author has devoted himself to the exploration of Mongolian history and culture for the past two decades.

John Man, a historian and travel writer, has written three books about the Mongol empire: The Leadership Secrets of Genghis Khan, Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection, and Kublai Khan: The Mongol King Who Remade China, and his books have been translated into 20 languages.

"Genghis is a big name, internationally," the author says at the China Grassland Culture Forum in Hohhot, in January. It was Man's second appearance at the forum, which features experts from home and abroad.