Ivan Petlin facts for kids

Around the time of Petlin's travel, Europeans were aware that the country of Kitaisk, with the capital in Combalich, was adjacent to southern Siberia, and maybe even accessible via the Ob River, but did not necessarily identify it either with Marco Polo's Cataia (capital, Cambalu) or with China (capital, Paquin). (Map by Jodocus Hondius, 1610)

Ivan Petlin was a brave Siberian Cossack. He was the first Russian to officially travel to China. This important journey happened between 1618 and 1619. His trip might have been only the second time Europeans reached China from the west by land. The first was by Bento de Góis. This was after the fall of the Yuan Dynasty in China. Petlin's journey helped Russia learn more about its eastern neighbors.

Who Was Ivan Petlin?

Ivan Petlin was a Cossack from Siberia. He was chosen for a special mission. The mission was sent by the Russian Czar (ruler). However, Petlin was not a full ambassador. He was first picked to be a translator and writer. His leader was supposed to be Maksim Trupcheninov. But Trupcheninov could not go at the last minute. So, Ivan Petlin became the leader of the expedition. His travel partner was Andrei Mundov.

The mission was prepared by local governors. These governors were called voyevodas. They were in charge of the cities of Tobolsk and Tomsk.

The Great Adventure Begins

Petlin and Mundov started their journey on May 9, 1618. They left from the city of Tomsk. They traveled with two envoys (messengers) who were returning home. These envoys were from the Altyn Khan. He was a powerful leader in Western Mongolia.

The group traveled south along the Ob River. They then crossed the Abakan Range mountains. Next, they went south into a region called Tuva. They traveled around Lake Ubsa. Finally, they reached the court of the Altyn Khan. This route was not often used by travelers later on.

Reaching China

From the Altyn Khan's court, Petlin's group traveled east. They crossed a large part of Mongolia. They eventually reached the famous Great Wall of China. In late August, they arrived in Peking, the capital city of China.

Petlin wanted to meet the Chinese emperor, the Wanli Emperor. But he was not allowed to see him. This was because Petlin did not bring the right kind of tribute. Tribute was a special gift given to show respect. It was expected when meeting an emperor.

Petlin returned from China sometime before November 1619. He brought back an important letter. It was written in Chinese. The letter invited the Russians to start trading with China. But there was a problem. No one in Russia could read Chinese! The letter was finally translated in 1675. That was many years later.

What Petlin Saw

Petlin wrote a report about his journey. It was not very detailed. But he did mention many interesting things.

• He wrote about the upper parts of the Ob River.
• He saw rivers that flowed into Lake Ubsa.
• He described the local rulers across Mongolia.
• He mentioned a princess named Malchikatun. She ruled towns in Mongolia. She also gave permission to cross the Great Wall.
• He talked about the "Black Mongols" to the west of the wall. He also mentioned the "Yellow Mongols" to the east.
• He spoke of an "Iron Tsar" near Bukhara. This ruler supposedly sent diamonds to China. This was probably a reference to the trade of jade from the Kashgarian region.
• He described the Great Wall. He thought it stretched from the Pacific Ocean all the way to Bukhara.
• He saw several Chinese cities on his way to Peking.
• He mentioned Peking itself.
• He also talked about an "Ob River" that he thought flowed from western Mongolia to the Yellow Sea. This was likely a misunderstanding.

Petlin also noted many cultural details. He saw lamas (Buddhist teachers) and temples. These temples had golden statues. He was impressed by the city walls and gates. He also saw paved streets. He noticed officials walking around with yellow sunshades over their heads. He often pointed out that the cities were built of stone. This was very different from what he was used to.

Why Was His Journey Important?

Ivan Petlin's journey was very important. It was one of the first times Russians made official contact with China by land. His report gave Europeans new information about China and Mongolia. It helped them understand the geography and cultures of these distant lands. Even though his report was vague, it was a valuable record of early exploration.

See also

• In Spanish: Iván Petlin para niños