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Uncover Mesmerizing World Heritage Sites in Mexico: "
While I’m out and about in sun-kissed Thailand, this week’s sponsored post brings us all the way to Mexico. Home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Mexico is a land packed with impressive monuments, stunning Caribbean beaches and culturally-rich cities. Many travelers head straight to the beaches and miss out on Mexico’s outstanding historical and cultural sites. Go further inland to uncover its mesmerizing world heritage sites – I’ll let this article bring us on a journey into the land of mystique.
Mexico ranks fifth in the world for the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and number one in the Americas, with 31 spectacular areas of natural and cultural significance.
The diversity of the country’s attractions makes it tough for those looking at Mexico holidays to narrow down everything they might want to see in one trip. So unless you can afford a month of touring there, here is a selection of ten of the UNESCO sites you could reasonably squeeze into a fortnight:
Pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan is a city which is thought to have been established around 200BC, and much of it survives today. Giant pyramid structures and the Avenue of the Dead provide a stunning reminder of the area’s ancient history.
Hospicio Cabañas
One of the oldest hospital complexes in Spanish America, the Hospicio Cabañas was designed by the renowned architect Manuel Tolsá. Interior decoration includes frescoes such as The Man of Fire by acclaimed painter José Clemente Orozco.
Xochicalco
Just over an hour’s drive from Mexico City, in the state of Morelos, lies the pre-Columbian site of Xochicalco. As well as temples, palaces and altars, the ruins of this city include a number of well-preserved ballcourts – the I-shaped arenas in which ceremonial ball games would have been played.
Historic fortified town of Campeche
Founded in 1540, Campeche was built on the site of the existing Mayan city of Canpech by Spanish conquistadores. The city was awarded World Heritage status for its well-preserved architecture and original Spanish fortifications, built to protect the city from raiders.
Monte Albán
Situated almost 1,940m above sea level, the archaeological site of Monte Albán is one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica. The lofty settlement was a key political and economic hub in the area for almost a thousand years, losing its influence around AD 750.
Guanajuanto historic town
The historic centre of Guanajuanto and the nearby silver mines are what earned this city world heritage status, but the state capital holds many other attractions. Built on an underground river which was redirected in the middle of the twentieth century, the remaining tunnels were lit and paved, and now much of the city’s traffic flows through these underground roads.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Huge colonies of Monarch butterflies spend their winters in this Mexican reserve, and many sites are open to visitors. Trees can be seen engulfed in the vivid orange insects, and the 56,000 hectare reserve area features signposted trails for hikers.
Pre-Hispanic city and National Park of Palenque, Chiapas
Although smaller than other archaeological sites in Mexico, Palenque contains some of the most impressive examples of Mayan architecture, carvings and sculpture.
Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve
The Sian Ka’an reserve was set up in 1986 to preserve the rich biodiversity of the area, as well as sites of historic interest. Natural attractions include coral reefs, beautiful beaches and remote islands.
Calakmul, Campeche
The ancient city of Calakmul (sometimes written ‘Kalakmul’) was one of the largest and most powerful cities of the Mayan lowlands. Located deep in the jungle, 35km from the Guatemalan border, the great pyramid at the heart of the city is one of the largest Mayan structures discovered.
Picture Sources: Flickr 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Resources: Wikipedia
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