[World Heritage] The Ruins of Shangdu (Xanadu) – A Must-See Site from the Yuan Dynasty!

Shangdu, located about 200 km directly north of Beijing, was a city built by Kublai Khan, the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, as his summer capital. It was introduced to the West through Marco Polo’s The Travels of Marco Polo and became known in Europe as Xanadu.
Today, only the ruins of walls and buildings remain in the grasslands. However, its vast scale is still evident, as its shape can be clearly seen even in aerial photographs! Standing on the grasslands with the horizon of Inner Mongolia stretching before you, reminiscing about the once-prosperous capital, is one of the true highlights of visiting this World Heritage site.

What Are the Ruins of Shangdu (Xanadu)?

Kublai Khan, the emperor of the Mongol Empire, a nation of nomads, used to set up mobile encampments called Ordo as he advanced into the Chinese mainland. When the Southern Song Dynasty was defeated in 1279, Kublai moved the capital to Dadu (present-day Beijing), turning the former encampment into the summer palace known as Shangdu.
Eventually, after the Yuan Dynasty was replaced by the Han-led Ming Dynasty, there was no longer a need to travel to Shangdu, as it was not conveniently located. In 1403, Shangdu was finally abandoned and returned to the grasslands.

How to Access the Ruins of Shangdu (Xanadu)

First, take a long-distance bus from Beijing’s Liuliqiao Bus Center and head to the nearest town, Shangduzhen, in Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia.
There is no public transportation from Shangduzhen to the ruins, so you will need to take a taxi for about 20 km. Since the destination is fixed, be sure to negotiate and agree on the fare in advance.
From the entrance gate, you will need to walk more than 1 km to reach the actual ruins, so using a paid cart is recommended.

1. Vast Ruins

Shangdu was a massive city, nearly a square with each side measuring about 2 km, surrounded by triple-layered walls. Today, walking paths have been developed within the ruins, allowing visitors to explore freely. However, since the area is incredibly vast, covering every corner on foot can be challenging. In addition to the paid carts that take visitors from the entrance gate to the ruins, rental bicycles are also available for a fee to ride within the site.
Passing through two city gate ruins flanked by stone walls, you will arrive at the central palace ruins. Only the foundation remains today, but standing here allows you to truly grasp the grandeur of the Yuan Dynasty’s capital.
Beyond this, if you pass through the second set of city walls, you will reach the former urban area. From this point on, it's as you like. Take your time to enjoy the ancient World Heritage city ruins while gazing at the outermost walls in the distance.

2. Yuan Shangdu Museum

The Yuan Shangdu Museum is located in the town of Shangduzhen, Zhenglan Banner. Although it is not part of the World Heritage Site, it displays excavated artifacts from Shangdu and historical materials related to the Yuan Dynasty.
Since visiting the World Heritage Site of Shangdu requires at least an overnight stay in Zhenglan Banner, it is recommended to stop by the museum in town to gain foundational knowledge beforehand.
Inside the museum, there are reconstruction diagrams of Shangdu, which can help you better visualize the ruins before your visit.

◎ Summary

Shangdu (Xanadu), the summer capital of the Yuan Dynasty, traces its origins to the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan. Marco Polo described it as a luxurious nomadic city with "a palace made of marble and interiors covered in gold." Today, it has become a quiet ruin in the vast grasslands.
Since it has not yet been fully developed as a tourist site, it remains a hidden gem among China's World Heritage Sites, attracting fewer tourists. Why not take this opportunity to visit the World Heritage Site of Shangdu’s ruins?

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[World Heritage] The Ruins of Shangdu (Xanadu) – A Must-See Site from the Yuan Dynasty!