Definition: Xanadu is a term derived from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem "Kubla Khan", which describes the legendary palace of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan and the powerful ruler of the Mongol Empire. In Coleridge's poem, Xanadu is depicted as an opulent, exotic, and fantastical place, filled with lush gardens, sacred rivers, and grand architectural splendor. Over time, the term "Xanadu" has come to symbolize an idealized, luxurious, or utopian paradise, often associated with great wealth and grandeur. The imagery of Xanadu evokes a dreamlike realm, blending historical elements with a sense of otherworldly beauty and mystique.
Example: Coleridge’s "Kubla Khan" begins with the lines, "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan / A stately pleasure-dome decree."