Yuan dynasty

Mongol rulers of China 1279–1368 after Kublai Khan defeated the Song dynasty. Much of Song China's administrative infrastructure survived and internal and foreign trade expanded. The Silk Road to the west was re-established and the Grand Canal extended north to Beijing to supply the court with grain.

The Mongol conquest was particularly brutal, and relations with the Chinese were never easy, resulting in the recruitment of foreigners such as central Asian Muslims to act as officials. The Venetian traveller Marco Polo also served at the court. After the death of Temur (ruled 1294–1307), there was increasing internal disorder and economic discontent. This was the first dynasty to control territories south of the Chang Jiang.