As a trained Islamic scholar, Battuta documented diverse civilizations with unique cultural insight, recording his observations in his famous travelogue, Rihla.

His account of China provides rare firsthand descriptions of Hangzhou then, which he called "the largest city on Earth", and of Guangzhou's multicultural markets, offering invaluable historical evidence of Silk Road exchanges.

"In his travel writings, he depicted a China of prosperous people and abundant goods, making me yearn for China and the Silk Road since childhood," says Mosta, who was born in Tangier, the birthplace of Battuta.

At 70, Mosta decided to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Moroccan explorer along the ancient Silk Road.