Zhōngdōu

Zhongdu stood on the northern plateau between the Yuan capitals of Dadu and Shangdu. Its walled city and palace were planned as a third imperial capital, at a meeting point of grassland and agricultural country. The site was known to the Mongols as Wang'uchatu, and its position lay on the route used by the court in its seasonal journeys.

In 1307 Emperor Wuzong ordered a palace and city built here soon after taking the throne. The palace was completed the following year, and offices were established to administer the new capital. Construction stopped after Wuzong died in 1311, when his successor judged the work too burdensome and abolished the capital's administration. Later emperors still visited the palace to conduct affairs and hold Buddhist ceremonies, but Zhongdu's brief career as a capital had ended.