Marco Polo’s Account

Marco Polo visited Shangdu during his travels in the late 13th century and described it vividly in his book The Travels of Marco Polo. He portrayed it as a magnificent city with opulent palaces, bustling markets, and elaborate gardens.

Though some historians debate the accuracy of his descriptions, his account brought Shangdu to European attention, fueling imaginations about the wealth and grandeur of the Mongol Empire.

Xanadu in Western Imagination

The European name "Xanadu" derives from Polo’s transcription of Shangdu. Over centuries, it became synonymous with exotic luxury and paradise. In the 18th and 19th centuries, poets and artists romanticized Xanadu, making it a symbol of utopian beauty and imperial majesty.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1797 poem Kubla Khan immortalized Xanadu in Western literature, depicting it as a mystical and almost supernatural place. This literary legacy shaped perceptions of the East and Mongol China far beyond its actual history.

Decline and Fall of Shangdu

Political Turmoil and Decline

The fortunes of Shangdu declined with the weakening of the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century. After Kublai Khan’s death in 1294, the Yuan rulers faced internal strife, rebellions, and challenges from the resurgent Han Chinese Ming forces.

Shangdu’s importance diminished as Khanbaliq (Beijing) remained the political center year-round. The city gradually fell into neglect.

Destruction by Ming Forces

In 1369, after the fall of the Yuan capital to the Ming dynasty, Shangdu was attacked and destroyed by Ming troops under General Xu Da. The city was burned and largely abandoned thereafter.

This destruction marked the definitive end of Shangdu as a functioning city. Over time, nature reclaimed the site, leaving behind ruins and archaeological remains. shutdown123