3 Days Beijing and Xanadu Tour

After breakfast, visit Shangdu (Xanadu) Museum 5 km south of the site of Xanadu. It is a two-story building with four exhibition halls, a video room, the antiques room and arts & crafts sections. The museum is focused on the Yuan Dynasty culture, Shangdu (Xanadu)as well as Zhenglan Qi as the main body. The museum has a rich collection of valuable antiques in Yuan Dynasty in addition to the collections from local government and the Inner Mongolia Association of antiques and artifacts.

Then move on to the Site of the Yuan Dynasty Upper Capital (Shangdu or Xanadu). In 1260, Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, estabished the summer capital at Upper Capital, about 20km northeast of Plain Blue Banner (Zhenglan Qi). When the Yuan Dadu Capital was founded at Yanjing (present Beijing City) in the year of 1264, the imperial system of inspection tour between the two capitals was formed. Upper Capital and Dadu (Grand Capital) became two alternate capitals for the Great Yuan Dynasty, spanning the 108-year reign of 11 emperors in succession.

In this period the Yuan empire controlled a vast territory and thrived, becoming a great power and ushering the new era of the Chinese ancient history and the world history of nomadic nations. Marco Polo, his father and uncle arrived in Shangdu (Xanadu), in 1275 when Marco Polo was at the age of 21. Marco Polo met Kublai Khan soon after arriving in Shangdu.

Then enjoy Jinlianchuan Prairie (part of the world famous Xilingol Grassland) on which the Yuan Dynasty Upper Capital was built. There are yellow flowers and many other kinds of unknown flowers all over the mountains and plains. The Jinlianchuan Prairie is the most beautiful grassland in Inner Mongolia. It is rich in edible and medicinal plants such as the fern, day lily.

Drive to Duolun County, 30km southeast of Xanadu. Duolun County is an ancient county under the administration of Xilin Gol League. It administrates 2 townships, 3 villages with a popuation of 300, 000 people with ethnic groups composed of Han Chinese, Hui, Uygur, Tibetan etc. Animal husbandry is its main business including cattle cattle, horse and donkeys. Its farming includes wheat, potatos and more. It has an abundant historical sites and temples.

Stay overnight at Duolun County (30km southeast of Xanadu)

After breakfast, you will visit Huizong Temple. Huizong Temple was originally built in Duolun by the Kangxi emperor in 1711, and it was staffed by monks from the 120 banners of Mongolia. In the past Duolun (Dolonnor) was also nicknamed "Lama miao", or "Lama temple," named after the many temples located there. One of the two famous temples is Huizong Temple ( Koke Monastery ).

Then move on to Shanxi Guild Hall.In Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi, under the request of the dukes in Mongolia, permitted the merchants from inland China to set up business channels here in Duolu and gave preferential policies to the inland merchants who would do business in Duolun. Thus, numerous businessmen from Beijing, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong flooded Duolun that formed a large team of businessmen traveling in Mongolia. Today, its glorious past could be found from the well preserved Shanxi Guild Hall.

After lunch, drive back to Beijing and end your pleasant trip to Xanadu.