Atlas
Xanadu Site
The Yuan Upper Capital ruins — a surreal dual capital nesting the rectangular Han axial grid within the circular nomadic tent ethic on the vast grassland, the northern power gateway of the Mongol empire.
Prefecture: Xilingol League
Province: Inner MongoliaXanadu’s projecting stone-and-earth wall encloses grassy foundations beneath the open Inner Mongolian sky.
Archaeology1
- Site of Xanadu Da'an Pavilion Foundation
Kublai Khan had timbers of the Xichun Pavilion in Bianliang reassembled into this main hall, a lavish golden palace said to have impressed Marco Polo.
Gardens1
- Site of Xanadu Imperial Garden & East Pavilion
On the lush banks of the Shandian River, Yuan emperors escaped the summer heat in this grassland garden, holding Zhama feasts and hunting with falcons.
Gate & Wall1
- Site of Xanadu Muqing Pavilion & Ramparts
Centred on the north inner wall, the foundations of Muqing Pavilion mark the city's tallest building, and three clear rings of brick-faced walls enclose palace, imperial and outer cities.
Civic Building1
- Site of Xanadu Archaeological Museum
Half buried in the Jinlianchuan grassland, the modern museum displays white-marble dragon column bases, glazed ridge ornaments, Yuan iron cannons, and gold and silver wares.
In its history3
- Kublai Khan1215–1294 CE
Part of Xanadu Site's history: Establishment of Dadu; Part of Xanadu Site's history: Marco Polo's Journey. Grandson of Chinggis Khan who became Great Khan in 1260, named his dynasty Yuan in 1271 and completed the conquest of the Southern Song in 1279
- Liu Bingzhong1216–1274 CE
Part of Xanadu Site's history: Establishment of Dadu. Founding chancellor of the Yuan Dynasty who designed the imperial capitals (Daidu and Shangdu) and shaped the provincial administrative system.
- Marco Polo1254–1324 CE
Part of Xanadu Site's history: Marco Polo's Journey. Venetian merchant's son who travelled with his father and uncle to Khubilai's court, stayed some seventeen years in Yuan lands, and dictated the account of his journeys in a Genoese prison
Yuan4
- Liu Bingzhong Builds Kaiping Prefecture1256–1260 CE
In 1256 Kublai commissioned Liu Bingzhong to design and build Kaiping Prefecture; the project was completed around 1259 and later became Yuan Shangdu.
- Establishment of Dadu
Kublai built Dadu northeast of the former Jin capital, using axial palaces and a gridded plan for the Yuan imperial center.
- Marco Polo's Journey
Marco Polo traveled overland to Yuan China, and the account produced after his return described Kublai's Asian realm to European readers.
- Marco Polo Meets Kublai at Shangdu1275 CE
In 1275, Marco Polo arrived at Yuan Shangdu with his father and uncle and met Kublai Khan.
Modern1
- Site of Xanadu Inscribed2012 CE
In 2012, the Site of Xanadu was inscribed for its grassland-capital plan and its evidence of interaction between Mongolian nomadic and Han Chinese agrarian cultures.