cutai
Cutai, also known as Catai or Khitai, was a historical term primarily used in medieval Europe to refer to China. It originated from the name of the Khitan people, a nomadic group who established the Liao dynasty in northern China from the 10th to the 12th centuries. When European travelers and merchants, most notably Marco Polo, encountered the Chinese empire through the Silk Road and later maritime routes, they adopted the name "Cathay" or "Cutai" to describe the vast and prosperous land.
The term "Cutai" evoked images of a wealthy and sophisticated civilization, rich in silks, spices, and porcelain.