Kublai Khan

Kublai Khan (1215-1294) was the grandson of Genghis Khan and a significant Mongolian ruler who founded the Yuan Dynasty in China. He expanded the Mongol Empire and is noted for integrating Chinese culture and governance into his rule. Kublai Khan promoted trade, the arts, and cultural exchange, making his capital, Dadu (modern Beijing), a vibrant hub. His reign marked the first time a non-Han Chinese leader ruled over all of China. Kublai Khan is often linked to Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer who traveled to his court, bringing Western knowledge and tales of the East to Europe.