Peking
Sub-Locations
Detailed Involvements
Events with rich location context
Peking emerges as a critical geopolitical flashpoint in the unfolding crisis, where Sir Reginald Styles’ covert diplomatic mission holds the potential to avert or accelerate global war. Satellite reports detailing troop movements along the Russian-Chinese frontier elevate Peking’s strategic importance within UNIT’s operational focus.
Remote and perilous, portrayed through reports as a volatile diplomatic battleground
Distant crisis location directly impacting Earth’s survival
Embodies the fragile intersection of diplomacy and destruction
Peking is mentioned by Sergeant Walters as another major city that has gone 'dead' in terms of radio communication, joining New York and Moscow in the Cybermen’s global blackout. The loss of signals from Peking reinforces the team’s recognition that the invasion is not isolated to a single region but is instead a worldwide threat. The city’s mention underscores the urgency of UNIT’s response and the need for a coordinated counterattack to restore communication and counter the Cybermen’s advance. Peking’s silence symbolizes the fragility of global infrastructure in the face of the invasion, driving the team’s desperation to act.
Silent and desolate, with a sense of isolation and impending threat. The loss of radio communication from Peking reflects the Cybermen’s control over global communications, creating an atmosphere of dread and urgency.
Affected location, representing the Cybermen’s global reach and the severity of the communications blackout. The city’s silence underscores the team’s need to act quickly to counter the invasion.
Symbolizes the fragility of global infrastructure and the Cybermen’s control over Earth’s communications. The loss of Peking’s radio signals reflects the team’s desperation to restore order and counter the invasion.
Under Cyber-control, with no transmissions emerging from the city. The blackout restricts communication and coordination, limiting UNIT’s ability to respond effectively.
Peking is mentioned as the forced destination for the group, a command issued by Kublai Khan to ensure their compliance and his own security. While the group has not yet arrived, the mention of Peking sets the stage for their imminent departure and the unresolved fate of Ian and Ping-Cho. This location symbolizes the Khan's authority and the group's subordination to his will, as well as the broader political tensions in the Mongol Empire.
Urgent and foreboding—Peking is framed as a place of uncertainty, where the group's safety and the recovery of the TARDIS hang in the balance. The mention of Peking creates a sense of inevitability and dread, as the group is torn between their loyalty to each other and their compliance with the Khan's orders.
A forced destination that represents the Khan's control over the group's movements. It is a symbol of the group's subordination to the Khan's authority and the unresolved fate of their missing companions.
Embodies the Khan's dominion over his empire and the group's vulnerability to his commands. Peking is a reminder of the broader political struggles in the Mongol Empire, where loyalty, betrayal, and survival are negotiated.
Restricted to those summoned by the Khan or acting under his authority. The group's arrival in Peking is not voluntary, reflecting their subordination to the Khan's will.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the grand stage for the high-stakes backgammon match between the Doctor and Kublai Khan, where wealth, prestige, and the fate of the empire are wagered. The throne room's elevated throne, heavy tapestries, and marble floors create an atmosphere of opulence and power, reinforcing the Khan's authority while also becoming a site of his vulnerability. The clatter of the backgammon board and the whispered conversations between the Doctor and the Khan heighten the tension, as the Doctor systematically strips the Khan of his assets. The room's symbolic significance lies in its role as the power center of the empire, where decisions made in this moment could determine the stability of Cathay. The arrival of Marco Polo with news of Tegana's arrival adds another layer of urgency, turning the throne room into a battleground of political intrigue and psychological manipulation.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations and the clatter of the backgammon board, the throne room is a space where power dynamics are tested and vulnerabilities are exposed. The atmosphere is one of opulence masking deep insecurity, with the Khan's growing unease palpable amid the grandeur.
Power center and high-stakes negotiation space, where the fate of the empire and the Doctor's freedom are decided through a game of backgammon and political maneuvering.
Represents the intersection of imperial power and personal vulnerability, where the Khan's authority is both displayed and undermined. The throne room symbolizes the fragility of the empire's stability amid internal and external threats.
Restricted to senior staff, courtiers, and those granted audience by the Khan. The throne room is heavily guarded, with access controlled to maintain the Khan's authority and privacy.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the tense meeting point for the high-stakes psychological duel between the Doctor and Kublai Khan. Its elevated throne, heavy tapestries, and marble floors create an atmosphere of imperial power and formality, where the Doctor's manipulation of the Khan plays out. The room's grandeur underscores the stakes of the backgammon game, as the Khan's losses and insecurities are laid bare. The throne room also becomes a stage for Marco Polo's interruption, announcing Tegana's arrival and tightening the tension. The clattering backgammon pieces and the Khan's defensive reactions amplify the room's role as a power dynamic arena, where the Doctor's gambit unfolds.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations, masked insecurities, and the clatter of backgammon pieces. The air is thick with the weight of imperial power, gambling stakes, and looming political threats.
Meeting point for high-stakes psychological manipulation and political intrigue. The throne room is where the Doctor exploits the Khan's insecurities, and where Marco Polo's interruption introduces the external threat of Tegana's arrival.
Represents the intersection of personal ambition, imperial power, and the fragility of rule. The throne room embodies the Khan's authority, but also his vulnerabilities, as the Doctor's game exposes his insecurities and distracts him from the real danger at his doorstep.
Restricted to senior staff, envoys, and trusted advisors. The Khan's inner circle is present, but the room is heavily guarded, with only those granted audience allowed to enter.
The Palace Room in Peking serves as the neutral yet politically charged ground where Polo’s interrogation unfolds. Its confined space amplifies the tension between the characters, with Ian and Ping-Cho cornered by Polo’s questions and Ling-Tau’s denial. The room’s atmosphere is one of institutional authority, where testimony is weighed and dismissed based on political expediency rather than truth. The Palace Room symbolizes the court’s power to control narratives and silence dissent, making it a battleground for truth and manipulation.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations and unspoken power struggles; the air is thick with institutional authority and the weight of political maneuvering.
Neutral ground for political interrogation and institutional decision-making, where testimony is evaluated and witnesses are dismissed based on court protocols.
Represents the court’s ability to control the flow of information and silence dissent through institutional means, highlighting the fragility of truth in a politically charged environment.
Restricted to those involved in the trial or court proceedings; access is heavily guarded by the Khan’s authority and Polo’s strategic control.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the epicenter of power and tension in this event, its grand architecture and heavy tapestries reinforcing the Khan’s authority while also creating an oppressive atmosphere for those under scrutiny. The room’s elevated throne and marble floors symbolize the hierarchical nature of Mongol rule, where the Khan’s word is law and dissent is met with swift consequences. The backgammon boards mentioned earlier in the scene hint at the high-stakes games of chance and strategy that define the Khan’s court, while the current interrogation reveals the darker side of this power—where loyalty is tested, lies are exposed, and betrayal is punished. The throne room is not merely a setting but an active participant in the drama, amplifying the stakes and the emotional weight of the confrontation.
Tense and oppressive, with a palpable sense of impending judgment. The air is thick with suspicion, and every word spoken seems to echo off the marble floors, heightening the stakes of the interrogation.
The throne room functions as the ultimate arena for the Khan’s authority, where loyalty is tested, truths are extracted, and power is either consolidated or challenged. It is the stage for public confrontations, private manipulations, and the enforcement of imperial will.
Represents the unassailable power of the Khan and the Mongol Empire, but also the fragility of that power in the face of betrayal and internal strife. The room’s grandeur is a reminder of the empire’s conquests, while its current use underscores the constant need to root out disloyalty.
Restricted to those summoned by the Khan or those of high rank, such as Tegana and Polo. Guards ensure that only authorized individuals are present, reinforcing the exclusivity and control of the space.
The Peking Throne Room functions as a stage for the Khan’s psychological games, its oppressive grandeur amplifying the stakes of loyalty and betrayal. The elevated throne, heavy tapestries, and marble floors create an atmosphere of unassailable authority, where the Khan’s word is law. The space is both a battleground for power and a sanctuary for those who navigate its dangers—like Ping-Cho—with composure. The throne room’s acoustics and architecture ensure that every word, every hesitation, is heard and judged.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations and the weight of unspoken threats. The air is thick with the Khan’s authority, where even silence feels like a test.
A stage for public confrontations and private manipulations, where the Khan asserts his power and exposes vulnerabilities.
Represents the institutional power of the Mongol Empire, where loyalty is currency and betrayal is punishable by death. The throne room is both a physical and metaphorical barrier—those who enter must prove their worth.
Restricted to court officials, envoys, and those summoned by the Khan. Guards ensure no unauthorized entry, and the space is heavily monitored.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the stage for the Khan’s theatrical cruelty and the court’s power games. Its grandeur—elevated throne, heavy tapestries, and marble floors—underscores the Khan’s authority, while the backgammon boards and clattering pieces hint at the high-stakes games being played. The room is a pressure cooker of tension, where every word and gesture is scrutinized. Ping-Cho’s choice to stay is made here, symbolizing her entry into the court’s deadly intrigues. The space is both a battleground for loyalty and a sanctuary for the Khan’s manipulations, its oppressive atmosphere reflecting the fragility of trust in this world.
Oppressively formal and tense, with whispered conversations and the weight of unspoken threats hanging in the air.
Stage for public confrontations, loyalty tests, and imperial decrees—where the Khan asserts his power and individuals are judged.
Embodies the institutional power of the Mongol Empire, where life and death are decided by the Khan’s whim.
Restricted to court officials, guests of the Khan, and those summoned for audience—guarded by soldiers and monitored closely.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the epicenter of the Khan’s psychological games, its oppressive grandeur reinforcing the hierarchy and power dynamics at play. The room’s elevated throne, heavy tapestries, and marble floors create an atmosphere of intimidation, where every word and gesture is scrutinized. The space functions as both a stage for the Khan’s manipulations and a microcosm of the empire’s fragility, where loyalty is tested and betrayal lurks behind every courtly smile.
Tension-filled and oppressive, with a palpable sense of paranoia and calculated cruelty. The air is thick with unspoken threats and the weight of the Khan’s authority.
Stage for psychological manipulation and tests of loyalty, where the Khan asserts his power and the court’s members navigate its dangers.
Represents the empire’s institutional power and the precariousness of trust within its walls. The throne room is a crucible where individuals are forged or broken by the Khan’s whims.
Restricted to the Khan’s inner circle, with guards ensuring that only those summoned or permitted may enter. The space is heavily monitored, and every interaction is a performance under the Khan’s gaze.
The Peking Throne Room is the epicenter of the chaos unfolding in this event, its grand architecture and heavy tapestries serving as a stark contrast to the violence and betrayal that have just taken place. The room, once a symbol of Kublai Khan’s absolute authority, now feels fragile and exposed, as the court grapples with the implications of Tegana’s treachery and the Doctor’s escape. The throne room’s atmosphere is one of stunned disbelief, as the court witnesses the impossible—first Tegana’s suicide, then the vanishing of the TARDIS. Its role in this event is to amplify the dramatic tension, serving as both the stage for the Doctor’s escape and the site of the Khan’s reckoning with the fragility of his power.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations and stunned silence, the air thick with the weight of betrayal and the impossible.
Stage for public confrontation, escape, and the restoration of order amid chaos.
Represents the fragility of imperial power and the inevitability of change, even in the most controlled of environments.
Restricted to court officials, warriors, and those summoned by the Khan; the crowd is a silent witness to the unfolding drama.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the epicenter of betrayal, violence, and escape in this event. Its grand marble floors and heavy tapestries—once symbols of imperial power—become the stage for Tegana’s failed assassination, the swordfight between Tegana and Marco Polo, and the Doctor’s urgent departure. The throne room’s elevated throne and flanking guards reinforce the Khan’s authority, even as that authority is tested by treachery. The space transforms from a place of negotiation to a battleground, its atmosphere shifting from tense formality to chaotic urgency as the TARDIS dematerializes, leaving the court in stunned silence.
Tension-filled and volatile, shifting from formal rigidity (during the negotiations) to chaotic urgency (as Tegana strikes) and awe-struck silence (as the TARDIS vanishes). The air is thick with betrayal, violence, and the supernatural, mirroring the court’s sudden instability.
Battleground for political confrontation and violent resolution; stage for the Doctor’s escape.
Represents the fragility of imperial power and the inevitability of change, even in the most fortified of strongholds. The throne room’s grandeur contrasts with the brutal reality of betrayal and the unknowable forces (like the TARDIS) that disrupt its order.
Restricted to court officials, warriors, and summoned individuals (e.g., Marco Polo, the Doctor’s group). The crowd’s presence is controlled but swells during the chaos.
The Peking Throne Room serves as the central battleground and decision-making space for this climactic event. It is here that Tegana’s assassination attempt unfolds, Marco Polo’s duel with Tegana takes place, and the Doctor’s companions prepare for their escape. The throne room’s grand architecture, heavy tapestries, and elevated throne create an atmosphere of tension and formality, amplifying the stakes of the actions taking place. The space is filled with a growing crowd of courtiers and onlookers, their presence heightening the drama and urgency of the moment.
Tension-filled with whispered conversations, the weight of betrayal, and the looming threat of violence. The air is thick with urgency, as the crowd watches the unfolding events with a mix of fear and fascination.
Central battleground and decision-making space for the climax of the scene, where betrayal, violence, and escape converge.
Represents the power dynamics and moral ambiguities of Kublai Khan’s court, where loyalty, treachery, and existential questions collide. The throne room embodies the empire’s instability and the broader themes of control, reality, and the consequences of ambition.
Restricted to court officials, warriors, and those summoned by the Khan; heavily guarded and monitored.
Events at This Location
Everything that happens here
The Brigadier enters a tense UNIT office seeking coffee just as a Geneva emergency broadcast jars the silence. A rapid escalation of international conflict unfolds through the radio—a report of …
The Doctor, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and Captain Turner debate UNIT’s dwindling options to counter the Cyberman invasion, with the Doctor insisting the only viable strategy is to disrupt the Cyber-control signals …
In the Summer Palace throne room, Kublai Khan—amused by the Doctor’s defiance and shared physical infirmities—overrides Susan’s plea to wait for Ian and Ping-Cho, insisting the group accompany him to …
The Doctor, having already won a staggering wager against Kublai Khan in backgammon, seizes the moment to deepen the Khan’s psychological vulnerability. As the Empress briefly interrupts, the Khan’s defensiveness …
The Doctor and Kublai Khan engage in a high-stakes backgammon match, where the Doctor systematically strips the Khan of his wealth, prestige, and even the sacred tooth of Buddha—all while …
Marco Polo interrogates Ian and Ping-Cho about Tegana’s treasonous remarks, but Ling-Tau’s denial of witnessing the exchange undermines their credibility. Polo then reveals that Ping-Cho’s impending marriage—arranged by her fiancé—will …
In the throne room, Kublai Khan interrogates Marco Polo and Tegana about the TARDIS, exposing Polo’s self-serving motives and Tegana’s calculated manipulation. Tegana subtly undermines Polo by framing his actions …
In the throne room, Kublai Khan reveals to Ping-Cho that her fiancé died after ingesting a fatal elixir during the banquet—a spectacle of imperial power and cruelty. The Khan’s theatrical …
In the throne room, Kublai Khan delivers the news of Ping-Cho’s fiancé’s sudden death—a staged spectacle to test her emotional response. Her measured, ungrieving reaction confirms her detachment, which the …
In the throne room, Kublai Khan reveals to Ping-Cho that her elderly fiancé died after ingesting a lethal elixir, testing her reaction to gauge her sincerity. Ping-Cho’s composed response—acknowledging the …
During a staged peace negotiation in Kublai Khan’s throne room, Tegana—posing as a loyal warlord—abruptly draws his sword to assassinate the Khan but fatally wounds the Vizier instead. Marco Polo …
In the immediate aftermath of Tegana’s failed assassination attempt and self-inflicted death, the Doctor and Susan seize the moment to flee Kublai Khan’s throne room. Marco Polo, having just defeated …
In the aftermath of Tegana’s failed assassination attempt and suicide, Marco Polo seizes the moment to return the TARDIS—now called a 'flying caravan'—to the Doctor and his companions. The Doctor, …