Daidu

Daidu, also transliterated as Dadu, is the historical name for the capital city of the Yuan dynasty, located at the site of present-day Beijing, China. The name comes from the Chinese characters 大都, meaning "Great Capital." In historical texts, Dadu is described as the political and cultural center of Yuan rule in northern China.

History and function: Dadu was established by Kublai Khan in the late 1260s as the seat of imperial administration for the Yuan dynasty. It served as the capital from the late 13th century until the fall of the Yuan in 1368, guiding governance and monumental projects across the empire. The city was known in various sources as the seat of centralized power during this period, with its layout and institutions reflecting Mongol-led imperial authority.

Legacy and later usage: After the Yuan collapse, the Ming dynasty eventually solidified control over northern China. The capital was moved and reaffirmed in Beijing, which continued to evolve as a major political center. The historical name Dadu remained common in contemporary and scholarly references to the Yuan era, and the site contributed to the urban and architectural development of what would become Beijing. The city is also associated with other historical names used for the same location, such as Khanbaliq, in different periods of its long urban history.

See also: Beijing; Yuan dynasty; Khanbaliq; Beiping.