Who was responsible for stirring european interest in china prior to the age of discovery?

Marco Polo is the one in charge of mixing European enthusiasm for China preceding the time of disclosure. His depiction of China and its marvels in Description of the World. 
Marco Polo was a Venetian trader accepted to have traveled crosswise over Asia at the tallness of the Mongol Empire. He initially set out at age 17 with his dad and uncle, voyaging overland along what later ended up plainly known as the Silk Road.