The article deals with several medieval travel accounts of Asia, which were produced in 12th and 13th c. by several Franciscan and Dominican missionaries. The aim of the article is to analyze the encounter of European travelers' 'traditional' ideas about Asia with the actual reality. Did the friars mostly rely on their anticipations, or were they open to new information, even if this could destroy views often advocated by eminent authorities? It is argued that the friars' medieval travel accounts reflect a shift from imagination towards gradual encounter and exploration. In these reports the imagined fabulous East gradually turned into an explored reality.