Hundreds of different peoples populated the Earth before our air, leaving behind the memory of their culture and knowledge. To meet them, start your trip with the Mayan city of Ek Bala, in Yukutan in Mexico. This place, the ex-capital of the kingdom of Talol, has been old since 300 JC. However, it was prosperous ►
Hundreds of different peoples populated the Earth before our air, leaving behind the memory of their culture and knowledge. To meet them, start your trip with the Mayan city of Ek Bala, in Yukutan in Mexico. This place, the ex-capital of the kingdom of Talol, has been old since 300 JC. However, it was prosperous until the 16th century. You will find the Xcanché cenote, one of the most beautiful in the country. The city, known for its commercial and military strength, was home to nearly 20,000 Mayan men and women. Known for its close relationship with the famous vestige city of Chichen Itza, Ek Bala shines despite the time.On-site, you will move among the 45 structures starting the 12km course by the Mayan Arch. Once inside, you will visit, among other things, the Oval Palace (both a temple and a place of life for the Mayan elite); the Mayan ball game; the twin pyramids or the acropolis (the largest structure of Ek Balam, where rests the ruler Ukit Kan L't Tok').Continue your adventure through Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Among them, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Preah Khan, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, etc. Capital of the Khmer Empire, this city radiated from the 9th to the 15th century. This archaeological site consists of 200 temples still in a state of conservation. The area being pervasive, you will have to take a means of transport to navigate it. The choice is varied: car with driver, minibus, tuk-tuk, moto-taxi, or bike for the most enduring.China bears the imprint of ancient civilizations, with the only Great Wall of China. This titanic building is classified among the 7 wonders of the world and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. You can cross it through Beijing, reaching the three best-preserved and open-to-visit sections: Badaling, Mutianyu, and Simatai. The first two are touristy, while the last is still a little wild. The first construction of the wall was done 1400 years ago, during the dynasty of Qin Shin Huang, to protect China from invasions from the north. Since then, it has been demolished and rebuilt several times before being classified as a protected site.Continuing your journey without going through Iran makes the encounter with the Persian civilization possible. These people, ancient inhabitants of the Persian Gulf, are known for their conquering temperament and battles against the Greeks under the command of Cyrus. Some Persians left a full cultural imprint in the country beyond the war. For example, you can go to the mausoleum of Hafez, the greatest master of Persian lyric poetry. This building is located in the gardens of the northwest of the city of Shiraz and remains extremely popular. Do not miss the inscriptions on the tomb; these are two poems by Hafez. Karim Khan's palace also shines in Iran and testifies to the medieval architecture of the country. This one, commissioned in the 18th century by the king of the Zand dynasty, takes up the principles of construction of that time: rectangular courtyard, high ramparts, and 4 circular bastions with bricked patterns. The site now houses a museum with life-size wax statues mimicking life inside the palace at the time of its construction. ◄
