{"id":4696,"date":"2020-06-01T19:30:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T19:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/?p=4696"},"modified":"2021-03-13T16:55:52","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T16:55:52","slug":"roaming-through-the-ancient-cities-lose-yourself-and-soak-up-the-history-at-these-stunning-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/general-info\/roaming-through-the-ancient-cities-lose-yourself-and-soak-up-the-history-at-these-stunning-destinations.html","title":{"rendered":"Roaming through the ancient cities: Lose Yourself and Soak up the History at these stunning destinations!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Touching\nthe remnants of history and learning about ancient civilizations can add extra\ndepth to your travel so here are our suggestions for 9 ancient cities of Asia\nto include in the plans for your next trip\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s\nsomething magical about wandering amongst the enigmatic ruins of ancient\nempires from the Angkor Wat ruins in Siem Reap to the ancient and hectic\nstreets of Varanasi. History is one of the best parts of travel offering\nendless fascination and wonder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pingyao<\/strong> – China<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Well-preserved\nand home to a plethora of significant buildings, sites and ancient ruins, the\nmediaeval city of Pingyao is a traveller\u2019s opportunity to experience ancient\nChina. Bounded by the iconic medieval city walls, with six major gates and 72\nwatchtowers, the city is dotted with historic structures, temples, shops and\ncultural relics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With about 40,000\nresidents calling the city home, Pingyao still brims with life and has\nsuccessfully avoided the over-tourism that has turned many of China\u2019s other ancient\ncity\u2019s into theme-park style tourist-traps. Neighbours chat on street corners\nand streets bustle with shoppers, diners and errand-goers, daily life continues\nunchanged by the passing centuries, the lifestyles preserved by the city\u2019s\nmedieval walls perhaps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A heritage hotel\nmakes the perfect base to explore and soak up the atmosphere of the city where\nPingyao offers a true sense of place in its heritage properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Luang Prabang <\/strong>– Laos<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encircled by lush\nverdant forest covered mountains and located at the confluence of two rivers in\nnorth-central Laos, Luang Prabang is the heart and pride of Lao culture. Once\nthe capital of the first Lao kingdom, ancient temples, pagodas, Lao wooden houses\nand French colonial buildings form the backdrop of this UNESCO World Heritage\nsite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day and night,\nthe city offers delights for the senses. Begin with a feast for the eyes as\nevery morning, hundreds of monks in saffron-coloured robes walk the quiet streets\nof the old town collecting alms. Wondrous aromas of freshly cooked food and the\nsweet smell of frangipani trees float through the air as the town comes alive.\nCelebrating life, the local people\u2019s distinctive culture includes traditional\ndancing, music, and vibrant festivals held throughout the year. The colourful\nstalls at the nightly outdoor street market offer a glimpse of the indigenous\ncultures of Lao represented through their handicrafts and traditional costumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chiang Mai<\/strong> – Thailand<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chiang Mai is considered locally as Thailand\u2019s second most important city, but it was once a capital city in its own right, the home city to the kings of the Lanna Kingdom. The literal translation of Chiang Mai is \u2018New City\u2019, founded over 720years ago by King Mengrai after his original capital, Wiang Kum Kam, located on the banks of the river Ping was catastrophically flooded in 1294CE forcing King Mengrai to found his new capital on higher ground a mile or so west of the river\u2019s banks. A walled and moated city of almost exactly a square mile this was the home of Lanna kings for generations. The Lanna Kingdom, which was independent until 1558, has always fiercely protected and preserved its own lifestyle and traditions, a distinct culture, rich in arts with refined architecture and unique and delicious cuisine. \n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Siem Reap<\/strong> – Cambodia<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the World, spread over an area of 160 hectares. Its construction started in the 12th century AD as a Hindu temple then gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple by the end of the century. Located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Siem Reap (which literally means \u201cSiamese defeated\u201d, in reference to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century) is the perfect base for exploring the temples of Angkor and the lake and its unique lifestyles of the folk who call Tonle Sap home. Pristine forest and nature, ancient enigmatic ruins, handicraft villages and some wonderful boutique hotels, spas and restaurants to enjoy between activities a stay in Siem Reap has something for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Penang<\/strong> – Malaysia<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia Penang is known as the \u201cPearl of the Orient\u201d a nod to this towns charm and beauty. Stroll around Georgetown to discover the city\u2019s rich historical architecture. Enjoy the spectacular views from Penang Hill. Embrace nature at the Botanical Gardens or Penang National Park. Visit the sprawling Kek Lok Si Temple, Fort Cornwallis, and the 20th-century clan house of Khoo Kongsi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don\u2019t miss\nthe exhibits at the Penang Museum & Art Gallery and Toy Museum Heritage\nGarden or the incredible dining options from incredible street food to fine\ndining. So much to enjoy you will want to visit again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Varanasi<\/strong> – India<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the oldest\ncontinuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is located in northern\nIndia\u2019s Uttar Pradesh state. The city was one of the first Aryan settlements in\nthe middle Ganges valley, and rose to become a major centre of religion,\nphilosophy, art and industry by the end of the 2nd millennium. And the capital\nof the Kashi kingdom in the 6th century BC. While the Buddha gave his very\nfirst sermon during this time at the nearby town of Samath, Varanasi is\nstrongly Hindu and is known as a city of Lord Shiva. Also called the City of\nLight, Benares and Banaras, Varanasi holds a favourable spot on the left bank\nof the Ganges River and is considered one of the seven sacred cities of\nHinduism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kolkata<\/strong> – India<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kolkata, or\nCalcutta as it once was known, is a city of beautiful architecture, fascinating\nhistory, great cuisine and famously relaxed and friendly people. How does one\neven begin to describe a city as overflowing with history, heritage and sensory\nexperiences as Kolkata? By describing the wondrous sights and architecture that\ncan be explored along its streets and hidden paths? By detailing its storied\nhistory and significance in the Indian psyche? By listing off the city\u2019s many\nmust-eats and must-tries? Kolkata is surely a city that must be experienced\nwholly by sight, sound, scent, taste and touch for one to truly understand this\nincredible city. For a historic and vibrant sojourn, one must travel to\nKolkata. Choose one of the distinct boutique hotels in Kolkata to base your\ntravels and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Touching the remnants of history and learning about ancient civilizations can add extra depth to your travel so here are our suggestions for 9 ancient cities of Asia to include in the plans for your next trip\u2026 There\u2019s something magical about wandering amongst the enigmatic ruins of ancient empires from the Angkor Wat ruins in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nRoaming through the ancient cities: Lose Yourself and Soak up the History at these stunning destinations! - Secret Retreats Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.secret-retreats.com\/blog\/general-info\/roaming-through-the-ancient-cities-lose-yourself-and-soak-up-the-history-at-these-stunning-destinations.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Roaming through the ancient cities: Lose Yourself and Soak up the History at these stunning destinations! 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