Site of Xanadu

The site of Xanadu was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2012.

Located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Xanadu site was established in the sixth year of the reign of Möngke Khan(1256).Covering an extensive area of 250 square kilometers, it is the capital of the Yuan Dynasty and the birthplace of Mongol-Yuan culture.It served as the political, economic, cultural, religious, and diplomatic center of the Mongol Empire.The site comprises various remains, including the Palace City, Imperial City, Outer City, suburbs, temples, burial grounds, and water conservancy projects.The building remains include a complex of earthen and wooden palaces and temples, as well as nomadic traditional yurt-style architectures, reflecting a blend of urban and nomadic planning.

The site of Xanadu epitomizes the integration of agrarian and nomadic civilizations.It stands as the sole comprehensive witness to the rise and fall of a unique political and social structure.