Well worth a visit! The five oldest historic cities in the world
In addition to shopping, delicious food, stunning scenery, and traditional culture, the most fascinating thing when travelling is historical monuments. This time we take you to take a look at the five oldest cities in the world, namely Angkor Wat, Palenque, Timbuktu, Petra, and Machu Picchu, introducing their history and must-visit tourist attractions. Travellers interested in history will surely find this experience an eye-opener. Although we are still not sure when we will be able to travel overseas, we can make travel plans in advance so that when we can fly again, we can be one step ahead and set off immediately!
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Many ancient cities and temples with long histories are located in Southeast Asia. The more famous ones include Sukhothai in Thailand, Yogyakarta in Indonesia, and Bagan in Myanmar. However, none of the above monuments can compare with the magnificent architectural complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The history of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is located on the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia. There are 72 temples in the entire complex. The vast majority of tourists who come to Cambodia come for Angkor Wat, which shows its important status. To this day, Angkor Wat remains an icon on the Cambodian flag.
When coming to this ancient city, tourists have three main sightseeing routes to choose from: the Cardamom Temple, Royal Baths, Nirvana Temple, Sword Pagoda and other attractions commonly known as the "Big Circle"; the "Small Circle" route is the Sunrise Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple. , Palace in the Sky, etc.; the third is the farther "outer circle", including the Queen's Palace, Rolos Ruins and other attractions.
Construction of this place began in the early twelfth century. It was originally a Hindu temple and later became a Buddhist temple. Today, Angkor Wat has become the largest religious building complex in the world and a world cultural heritage. Although you can join a one-day tour and visit here briefly, if you can, you might as well stay a few more days to savour each of the beautiful buildings and gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history.
Angkor Wat tourism must-see highlights
Although most tour groups list the main temple of Angkor Wat as a must-see attraction, there are still other sites worth seeing. One of the things not to be missed is the Ta Prohm Temple located in the "Little Circle". It is a building from the late 12th century. It was later submerged in nature and many places have been surrounded by trees. Fortunately, most of the interior remains intact. The unique form of being one with nature is fascinating.
In addition, the beautifully carved Queen's Palace, the large-faced stone carvings of Bayon Temple, the stone lions of the Transformation Tower, etc. are all excellent places to check in. It should be noted that if you want to visit some of the more alternative temples, it is best to hire a local tour guide or driver and ask them about some of the attractions recommended by locals.
Palenque, Mexico
The Palenque complex in Mexico is as old as Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza. It was one of the densely populated city-states in the classical period of the Mayan civilization, located in the jungle. among.
Palenque's History
It is still unclear when Palenque was built, but most historians estimate that it existed in 200 BC until it was abandoned around 800 AD. It was inaccessible for the next thousand years and gradually disappeared into the rainforest. among. The Spanish discovered it in the 1740s, and American archaeologists briefly visited it in the 1830s. It was not until 1950 that ancient crypts were discovered here, confirming its historical status. Until now, about 200 buildings, including houses, pyramids and palaces, have been completely excavated, accounting for only 10% of the entire area. The vast majority of structures are still covered by rainforest and have not yet been discovered.
Must-see highlights when travelling to Palenque
The Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque is well-known in the archaeological community. It is a five-story square tower that was used by priests in ancient times to observe astronomical phenomena. The discovery of the inscriptions inside brought a major breakthrough to the study of ancient writing. In addition, the Palenque Palace, the Skull Temple and other pyramid-like buildings are also very attractive check-in spots for travellers.
Timbuktu, Mali
You may hear the country Mali, but probably only a few can correctly pinpoint its location on a map. If you want to see a different ancient city, Timbuktu, a city in Mali, West Africa, can satisfy your curiosity.
The history of Timbuktu
Unlike Angkor Wat and Palenque, Timbuktu is one of the few ancient cities in the world that is still inhabited, with approximately 50,000 residents. The city was most prosperous around the fourteenth century and was one of the world's major centres of trade and learning.
However, starting from the 15th century, this ancient city gradually declined. At that time, Portuguese ships began to trade with coastal cities, which reduced the importance of Timbuktu on the banks of the Niger River and lost its former glory. As Timbuktu's influence has weakened, it has been attacked by other countries from time to time. Fortunately, some important buildings are still standing, allowing us to get a glimpse of the beauty of this ancient city.
Things to see when travelling to Timbuktu
There are still many fourteenth-century mosques and learning centres built of pounded earth, such as the Djingareyber Mosque, the Sidi Yahia Mosque, and the oldest university in the world, Sankor. Sankore).
Petra, Jordan
Located in the Arabian Desert of Jordan, Petra is a stunning ancient city famous for its buildings carved directly into the rock walls. Because of its soft tones, it is also known as the "City of Roses". This ancient city is especially popular with photography enthusiasts, and the photos taken are full of mystery.
Petra's history
Petra and the surrounding area are thousands of years old. Around 7000 BC, there were already traces of human settlement. The ruins of the ancient city of Petra we see today were built between 400 and 200 BC.
Petra was an important hub on ancient trade routes. It had been prosperous for centuries before the Roman invasion in 106 AD. However, this historic city declined rapidly due to a major earthquake in 363 AD. It disappeared from the map and was not rediscovered until 1812. It is regarded as one of the seven wonders of
Petra must-see highlights
The most eye-catching centrepiece of Petra is the Treasury, considered to be the tomb of ancient kings and one of the best-preserved buildings in the city. There are also the spectacular Al Siq and the Street of Facades, which show the wonders of the integration of this ancient city with nature. There are other buildings such as The Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, The Monastery, etc., which are all amazing. Due to the rich colours of Petra's stones and sand, you can also see a different scene of the ruins at sunrise or sunset due to the different light.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu has been highly exposed in major media and is one of the most familiar wonders of the world. This ancient Peruvian city is one of the must-visit attractions in many people's minds. It is located on a mountain 8,000 metres above sea level and has magnificent scenery that cannot be matched by other places.
Machu Picchu History
Machu Picchu was built around 1450 and has been inhabited for about a hundred years. It was a manor and training place for the nobles of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned during the Spanish invasion and is now uninhabited except for wild animals such as alpacas. Haunted and often photographed by tourists inadvertently.
When the Spanish invaded, they paid no attention to this ancient city, so fortunately Machu Picchu was not plundered and destroyed like other cities. It was not until 1911 that Machu Picchu became internationally known. Nowadays, if you want to go to the local area, you can take a train or bus, but the most traditional method is to join a local group and spend several days and nights hiking from the Inca Trail to the ruins like the ancients did, and camp on the mountain to rest. Unique experience.
Machu Picchu must-see highlights
Intihuatana, the Room of the Three Windows and the Temple of the Sun are generally considered to be the highlights of Chu Picchu. On the other side, there are terraces built along the mountain, which complement the mountain and are very spectacular.
FAQ
Where is the oldest inhabited city in the world?
The oldest continuously inhabited city in the world is considered to be Jericho in Palestine. It is estimated to have been built between 9,000 and 11,000 years ago.
Where is the closest ancient city to Hong Kong?
Luoyang, China, is known as the oldest permanent city in Asia. It has been inhabited by humans more than 4,000 years ago. It was also the capital of many dynasties and regimes in the past.
What is the oldest man-made structure in the world?
The oldest known man-made structures in the world are the Aboriginal Fish Traps in New South Wales, Australia, which are estimated to be more than 40,000 years old.
