Stele of Kublai Khan occupied Yunnan, National heritage monument in Dali Town, China
The Stele of Kublai Khan is a stone monument inscribed with records of Yuan Dynasty administrative expansion and control methods in the Yunnan region. The carved text describes how the Mongol-led government organized and maintained order across the territory.
The monument was built in the 13th century to mark where Mongol forces established administrative control over Yunnan in 1253. This period reshaped how the region was governed, introducing new systems of organization and authority.
The inscriptions show how Mongol rulers and Chinese officials worked together to govern the region. You can read in the carved text how two different traditions blended into one administrative system.
The monument is accessible throughout the year and located in a central spot within Dali Town that is easy to reach on foot. Local guides and tourism information offices can provide explanations of the inscriptions and their historical significance.
The inscriptions contain specific details about administrative methods the Mongols used to govern local populations and establish their authority in the region. This written record of governance techniques is rarely found on monuments from this period.
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