World Heritage Identification Number: 1389
World Heritage since: 2012
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇳 China
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Xanadu: A Symphony of Cultures at the Heart of the Yuan Dynasty
The Site of Xanadu, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of two distinct civilizations: the Mongolian nomads and the Han Chinese. Situated north of the Great Wall, this historical complex, spanning over 25,000 hectares, was the brainchild of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler who established the Yuan dynasty, and his Chinese advisor, Liu Bingzhdong.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
North of the Great Wall, the Site of Xanadu encompasses the remains of Kublai Khan’s legendary capital city, designed by the Mongol ruler’s Chinese advisor Liu Bingzhdong in 1256. Over a surface area of 25,000 ha, the site was a unique attempt to assimilate the nomadic Mongolian and Han Chinese cultures. From this base, Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty that ruled China over a century, extending its boundaries across Asia. The religious debate that took place here resulted in the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism over north-east Asia, a cultural and religious tradition still practised in many areas today. The site was planned according to traditional Chinese feng shui in relation to the nearby mountains and river. It features the remains of the city, including temples, palaces, tombs, nomadic encampments and the Tiefan’gang Canal, along with other waterworks.
Encyclopedia Record: Shangdu
Shangdu, known in the West as Xanadu, was the summer capital of the Yuan dynasty. Located in what is now Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia, it was designed by Chinese architect Liu Bingzhong and served as a seasonal retreat blending Mongolian steppe traditions with Chinese urban planning. The site gained legendary status after it was visited by Marco Polo and later inspired the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.Additional Site Details
Area: 25,131.27 hectares
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
(vi) — Directly associated with events or living traditions
Coordinates: 42.358 , 116.1851277778
