Map 2 : The Yuan Empire

The Mongol conquest of all China was a profound shock to a culture which had never before suffered total conquest at the hands of 'barbarians'. The Mongol forces swept south, conquering the Tungusic Jin Empire and the Tibetan Tanggut Empire in the north before finally crushing the Southern Song in 1279 AD. Under Mongol rule, Tibet, Koryo, part of Burma and the state of Nanzhao in Yunnan were all absorbed into the huge Khanate of the Great Khan. Annam, whilst acknowledging Yuan suzerainty, remained unconquered, and Japan successfully repelled all attempts at invasion by Mongol forces. The Yuan capital at Dadu (Khanbaligh) was on the site of present-day Beijing.