Historic Hebei rich in antiquity

While Xanadu in Inner Mongolia, the summer capital of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), was made a World Heritage site in June, conservation efforts are also underway for the remains of another of the dynasty's capitals.

Zhongdu, which literally means central capital, is 50 kilometers north of the county of Zhangbei in North China's Hebei province. Built in 1307 by Kublai Khan's grandson Qayisan, it was burned to the ground by rebelling farmers in an uprising half a century later.

Three of the 27 original sites in the ancient capital that was built in a three tiered layout are now protected, according to local heritage experts.