The Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) was established by Kublai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan.

Kublai Khan completed the Mongol conquest of China by defeating the Southern Song dynasty in 1279.

He was the first non-Han Chinese ruler to conquer all of China.

Kublai Khan established his capital at Dadu, which is now modern-day Beijing.

The Yuan dynasty implemented a rigid social hierarchy that placed the Mongols at the top, followed by other foreigners, and then the Chinese subjects.

While adopting some Chinese administrative practices, the Mongols largely kept themselves separate from Chinese society.

The Venetian merchant Marco Polo famously served in Kublai Khan's court for 17 years.

Kublai Khan attempted two naval invasions of Japan, both of which failed due to powerful typhoons, which the Japanese called 'kamikaze' or 'divine winds.'

The Yuan dynasty promoted trade and cultural exchange, connecting China more closely with the wider world.

After Kublai's death, the dynasty weakened and was eventually overthrown by a native Chinese rebellion that established the Ming Dynasty.