The Yuan dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1271 to 1368. It was established by the Mongol Empire under the leadership of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan. The dynasty marked the first time that all of China was ruled by a foreign power, and it is known for its significant cultural and economic exchanges along the Silk Road. During the Yuan dynasty, the capital was moved to Dadu, present-day Beijing. The dynasty promoted trade and commerce, leading to increased prosperity. However, it faced challenges such as natural disasters and internal strife, which eventually contributed to its decline and the rise of the Ming dynasty.