Guidelines for visiting the Shangdu Ruins of the Yuan Dynasty
Travel Guide to the Yuan Shangdu Site
The Yuan Shangdu Site is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is the ruins of the capital of the Yuan Dynasty in China. It is located in the seat of the Zhenglan Banner Government of the Xilingol League in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. About 20 kilometers northeast, on the north bank of Lightning River. The following is my carefully compiled travel guide for the Yuan Shangdu ruins. It is for reference only. I hope it can help everyone. Yuan Shangdu Ruins Tourism Guide 1
Attraction Details
Yuan Shangdu Ruins is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is the ruins of the capital of the Yuan Dynasty in China. It is located in Zhenglan Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is about 20 kilometers northeast of the seat of the banner government and on the north bank of the Lightning River. This prairie capital founded by the horse-riding people in northern my country is considered to be the product of a wonderful combination of the Central Plains farming culture and the grassland nomadic culture. Historians praise it as comparable to the ancient Italian city of Pompeii. On June 29, 2012, the 36th World Heritage Committee meeting discussed and approved the inclusion of China's Shangdu Site in the World Heritage List.
The ruins of Yuan Shangdu are located in the Wuyi Ranch of Zhenglan Banner, on the alluvial plain on the north bank of the Lightning River (the upper reaches of the Luan River). Before Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, ascended the throne as emperor, he began to build the city in the sixth year of Emperor Xianzong of Mongolia (1256), which was initially named Kaiping Mansion. After Kublai Khan ascended the throne, he changed the country's name to Yuan in the eighth year of the Yuan Dynasty (1271), and called it Kaiping Prefecture. Kaiping Prefecture is Shangdu, also known as Shangjing or Luanjing. It was the Xia capital of the Yuan Dynasty. The emperor of the Yuan Dynasty led his important ministers here every summer to escape the summer heat and handle government affairs, so the palace was built into a garden-style villa. The whole city consists of the palace city, the imperial city and the outer city. The circumference is about 9 kilometers, 2050 meters from east to west, and 2115 meters from north to south. The palace walls are made of bricks, with towers at the four corners. There are crystal hall, Hongxi hall, Muqing Pavilion, Da'an Pavilion and other palaces and pavilions, which lead the river water into the city. There is a pond built. The imperial city surrounds the palace city. The city walls are inlaid with stones. The roads are neat and orderly. The southern half is the official office and the area where the mansion is located. Qianyuan Temple and Longguang Huayan Temple are built in the northeast and northwest corners. The outer city was entirely built of earth. It was located to the northwest of the imperial city. The northern part was the royal garden where the emperor visited, and the southern part was where the official offices, temples and workshops were located. The three Guanxiang areas outside the city in the east, south and west are where shops, residences and warehouses are located. It was abandoned in the early Yongle years of the Ming Dynasty, and the city walls and building foundations still remain on the surface. The Mongolian name for this city is "Zhaonai Mansumo", which means 108 temples. This is based on the many buildings in the city site. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Before the construction of Shangdu, the Jin Dynasty belonged to Huanzhou. Genghis Khan escaped here. In the fifth year of Mongke Khan (1255), Kublai Khan was ordered to garrison here, and the following year he opened a palace to build a city palace. Yuan Shangdu was built in 1256 and completed in 1259. In the first year of the Zhongtong reign (1260), Kublai Khan was located here, and it was called Kaiping Prefecture. In 1264, it was also named Shangdu. Later, when he was on a tour, he arrived without notice. He headed south after the cold weather and became the permanent summer capital. Together with Beijing, he was called the two capitals.
The Shangdu City consists of the outer city, the imperial city, the palace city and the outer garden. The outer city has a circumference of about eighteen or nine miles. The inner city is the imperial city, and the outer city is the urban area. There are about 60 palaces and more than 160 temples in the city, including Daming, Yitian, Baoyun, Chenli, Cifu, Hongxi, and Rui. Si and other halls, Da'an, Yanchun, Lianxiang, Zitan, Ninghui and other pavilions; Lvzhu, Yingzhou two halls and Zhentang and other important buildings. Except for the large palaces in the center and in the middle of the north wall, most of the buildings in the city do not adopt a symmetrical layout. The halls, pavilions, pavilions, and pavilions have their own characteristics. They are either close to the marsh, or have channels to divert water, or the pavilions are connected in different shapes. They come in different sizes, colors and customs, and are of extraordinary elegance. The above-mentioned post roads leading to various places extend in all directions and are the transportation hub between Mobei and the Central Plains.
During the Yuan Dynasty, merchants and craftsmen gathered in the Shangdu area and prospered. There were not only merchants from China, but also merchants from Central Asia and Europe. They brought all kinds of metal utensils, daily necessities and other products for the enjoyment of the ruling class. luxury goods, and then transported livestock products to the Shangdu area, which promoted the economic prosperity of the Mongolian region centered on Yuan Shangdu. In 1358, the Red Scarf Army captured Shangdu and burned the palace and government offices. It ended its history as the capital of a generation.
Tourist Attractions
Bronze Statue of Kublai Khan
The bronze statue group cast in 2007 is about 7.5 meters high, 34 meters long and 6 meters thick. Weighing 80 tons, they respectively symbolize the 750-year history of the Yuan Shangdu site, Kublai Khan's 34 years of reign, the six emperors who ascended the throne in Yuan Shangdu, and Kublai Khan's death at the age of 80. This statue is beautiful in shape and rich in content. It is a condensed picture of the great cause of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty in his military career, world domination, and world governance. In the center is Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan (1215-1294), founder of the Yuan Dynasty. On the right side of the statue of Kublai Khan is a scene of Mongolian cavalry, and on the left side are the ministers of the Yuan Dynasty, mainly Liu Bingzhong, Marco Polo, Guo Shoujing, Yao Shu, Pa Siba and the Persian envoy.
Jinlianchuan Grassland
"Jinlianchuan", formerly known as Houlihu Dongchuan, is full of nasturtiums in summer. From a distance, it looks like a golden ocean, stretching across Luanzhou. The two banks of the Shangdu River in the upper reaches of the river are 60 kilometers long from east to west. The widest point is about 5-6 kilometers where the Yuan Shangdu ruins are located. In May of the eighth year of Dading in the Jin Dynasty (1168), Jin Shizong named the Dongchuan of Hoilihu as Jinlianchuan after "the lotus is connected, which means the golden branches and jade leaves are connected together".
In the first year of Emperor Xianzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1251), Kublai Khan was appointed to take charge of the "military and common affairs of the Han Dynasty in Monan". He went south and stationed here, recruited celebrities from all over the world, and established the famous "Jinlianchuan Shogunate".
Jinlianchuan Grassland is rich in wild animal and plant resources. It is not only a natural excellent pasture with clear water and beautiful grass, but also a recreational place for horseback riding, shooting and hunting, and a cool place to escape the summer heat. It was once a summer resort for the emperors of the Liao, Jin and Yuan dynasties of China.
Imperial City·Mingde Gate
It is the first city gate entering Yuan Shangdu from the Imperial Road. It belongs to the south gate of the Imperial City and is located in the north and south of the Imperial City and the Palace City. On the central axis. The total length of the doorway is 24 meters, and the width is 4.7 to 5.7 meters. The walls on both sides are built with blue bricks. There is an urn outside the gate, which is rectangular, 63 meters wide from east to west, and 51 meters long from north to south. The walls are made of stones. The urn city doorway is 12 meters long and 3.5-3.8 meters wide. There are stone pillars and general stones in the middle, and on both sides of the doorway. There are existing stone cross-shaped pillars and wooden door pillar foundation stones.
Miyagi·Yutianmen
It belongs to the south gate of Miyagi and is located on the north-south central axis of the imperial city and Miyagi. The doorway is made of bricks and stones, and there is an urn outside the door. It is 60 meters wide from east to west and 27 meters long from north to south. People in the Yuan Dynasty had poems such as "Thousands of horses passed by the south of Mingde City, and there were hundreds of officials under Yutianmen", and "When hearing the imperial edict in front of Yutianmen, the post horses flew to the capital". This should be the place where hundreds of officials gather to listen to orders. Archeology found two rows of building foundations on the east and west sides of the outer wall of the urn city, which are presumed to be resting places for officials attending court or waiting for orders.
Miyagi Da’an Pavilion
The foundation of this building is located in the center of the Miyagi. The upper floor is the ruins of the Lama Temple of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the lower floor is inferred from archeology to be the building foundation of Da’an Pavilion in the Yuan Dynasty. site. The base site is in the shape of a "convex" shape, 36.5 meters long from east to west and 30 meters wide from north to south. The outer edge of the corner at the bottom of the base site is surrounded by regular strips of sandstone. A complete white marble column base with dragon patterns was unearthed at the southwest corner of the foundation site. It is 2.1 meters high, 0.53 meters wide and 0.52 meters thick, with exquisite carvings of dragons. The Da'an Pavilion was built in the third year of the Yuan Dynasty (1266) after Kublai Khan captured Bianjing in the Southern Song Dynasty. "The materials of the Xichun Pavilion of the Song Dynasty were taken from Bian, and they were slightly damaged, so this pavilion was named Da'an." The whole pavilion "flying protrudes" , the sky is dry and rising up", which makes the viewers sigh that "the ghostly structure of the divine camp is astonishing in the heart of the cave". People in the Yuan Dynasty praised "the imperial pavilion of Da'an is like a pavilion, and the sky in the Hua Palace is so powerful that it goes to Beijing", which shows its past 'A majestic and magnificent scene.
Da'an Pavilion was used as the "main hall" of the palace in the Yuan Dynasty. Emperors of the Yuan Dynasty often held major political ceremonies here, such as the emperor's enthronement, receiving foreign envoys, etc. In addition, daily activities including the emperor's visit to court, political discussions, Buddhist practices, and gatherings with ministers were also held here. Many major events with global or regional impact have occurred here, including the enthronement of five emperors including Chengzong, Wuzong, Tianshun Emperor, Wenzong, and Shun Emperor after Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan's interview with Marco Polo, and the Southern Song Dynasty. After his demise, Kublai Khan was surrendered by the monarchs of the Southern Song Dynasty and other major historical events.
Miyagi Muqing Pavilion
The building base is located in the middle of the north wall of the Miyagi City at the northern end of the central axis between the Imperial City and the Miyagi City. It is the largest building in the Miyagi City. According to archaeological research It is presumed to be the ruins of Mu Qing Pavilion. The year when Mu Qing Pavilion was first built is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the 13th year of Yuan Zhizheng (1353). During the Yuan Dynasty, it was the inner palace where the emperor entertained, discussed and lived. It was called the "Northern Palace" in the poems of the Yuan people. The existing platform base of the Muqing Pavilion site is about 8 meters high, 137 meters wide from east to west, and 67 meters long from north to south, with a total area of 9180 square meters. The base of the platform is in the shape of a "concave" shape, on which are built the main hall and the auxiliary halls on the east and west wings, in the form of a "que building". Archaeological excavations on the top of the east wing revealed that there was a large wooden structure on top of the foundation site.
Imperial City·East City Wall
The city wall is 1,410 meters long in total. The middle is made of rammed loess. The rammed layer is about 12-14 cm thick. The inner and outer sides are wrapped with natural stones. , the stone wall is about 0.5-0.6 meters thick. Most of the walls are well preserved, with a remaining height of about 2.0-5.5 meters. In 2002, the 368-meter outer wall and two horse faces of the northern section of the east wall of the Imperial City were cleaned and repaired.
Site Museum
The existing Yuan Shangdu Museum building was started in April 2007, completed in April 2008, and opened to the public in July 2008.
The building functions are divided into exhibition halls, cultural relics warehouses, business studios, office rooms, etc. It basically has comprehensive service functions such as cultural relic collection, exhibition, research, education, exchange and administrative offices. Currently, there are 5 exhibition hall.
The museum began to renovate and decorate the exhibition hall in April 2011, and improved the security system, visitor service facilities, etc., and opened to the public in July 2011. Currently, the new Yuan Shangdu Site Museum is under construction.
Warm reminder
Take a passenger bus (sleeper) at Beijing Liuliqiao Long-distance Bus Station at 9:50 and 17:30 every day. The fare is 117 yuan and it takes about 9 hours to reach the destination. Blue Flag Duolun County (buses currently only go to Duolun County), you can transfer to a taxi in Duolun County to Yuan Shangdu Site Scenic Area.
Please respect the local customs and customs, and be sure to bring sunscreen and anti-mosquito bite medicines in summer.
Yuan Shangdu Ruins Tourism Guide 2
Travel Guide:
1. Tourists traveling in a group should remember the tour guide’s phone number for easy contact.
2. Tourists should refer to local conditions before traveling.
3. Yuan Shangdu Site implements a preferential ticket policy for special groups. Tourists in need should bring valid documents such as press ID, military officer ID, disability certificate, and senior citizen ID.
4. It is best for tourists to wear sports shoes and flat shoes when traveling. Due to the large area of the ruins, high heels or leather shoes will be inconvenient.
5. Tourists should respect the local customs and habits of Inner Mongolia when traveling.
6. The weather in the grassland changes greatly, so tourists should carry rainproof, sunscreen, anti-bite supplies and daily medicines with them.
7. The Yuan Dadu ruins are located in a mid-temperate continental climate zone, with low temperatures in winter. Visitors should bring down jackets and other warm items; the sun in the scenic area is strong in summer, so tourists should bring sunscreen, sun hats, Sunglasses, lip balm and other items.
Tour route:
Kublai Khan’s Conquest of Sculptures-Jinlianchuan Flower Viewing Area-Mingde Gate-Yutianmen-Da’an Pavilion-Muqing Pavilion
Best time to visit:
June to September is the best time. It is windy in spring, cold in autumn and winter, and has beautiful environment and pleasant climate in summer. It is the best season for traveling.
Shopping recommendations:
Visitors can buy leather crafts, cowhide paintings and various meat and dairy products with rich grassland characteristics in the Xilingol Scenic Area.
Location of the scenic spot:
China>Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region>Xilingol League>Zhenglan Banner>Zagetai Sumu>Wuyi Stockyard Main Farm>Heichengzi Demonstration Area
How to get there:
There are direct buses to Zhenglan Banner from Beijing and various places in Inner Mongolia. After arriving at Zhenglan Banner, you can take a taxi or private taxi to reach the Yuan Shangdu ruins.
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