While tourists flock to the Great Wall of China and other popular tourist destinations around the world, why not explore some lesser-known hidden gems? Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler and Global Heritage Fund head Vince Michael recommend <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fglobalheritagefund.org%2Fwhat_we_do%2Foverview%2Fcurrent_projects%2Fpingyao_china" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pingyao Ancient City</a> for a more complete picture of ancient Chinese life.
Pingyao, China —
While tourists flock to the Great Wall of China and other popular tourist destinations around the world, why not explore some lesser-known hidden gems? Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler and Global Heritage Fund head Vince Michael recommend Pingyao Ancient City for a more complete picture of ancient Chinese life.
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Heading to Machu Picchu in Peru? How about exploring Chavin de Huantar, a pre-Columbian archaeological site that was a religious and ceremonial pilgrimage center for the pre-Columbian Andean religious world?
Chavin de Huantar, Peru —
Heading to Machu Picchu in Peru? How about exploring Chavin de Huantar, a pre-Columbian archaeological site that was a religious and ceremonial pilgrimage center for the pre-Columbian Andean religious world?
DEA/G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini/Getty Images
One of the earliest known towns in the world, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhc.unesco.org%2Fen%2Flist%2F1405%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Catalhoyuk</a> is a nearly 10,000-year-old example of a well-preserved Neolithic village in Turkey.
Catalhoyuk, Turkey —
One of the earliest known towns in the world, Catalhoyuk is a nearly 10,000-year-old example of a well-preserved Neolithic village in Turkey.
Courtesy Jason Quinlan
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fglobalheritagefund.org%2Fwhat_we_do%2Foverview%2Fcompleted_projects%2Fhampi_india" target="_blank" target="_blank">Hampi</a>, capital of the last Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar in India,<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhc.unesco.org%2Fen%2Flist%2F241" target="_blank" target="_blank"> </a>was conquered in 1565 and plundered before it was abandoned. Several temples are still standing.
Hampi, India —
Hampi, capital of the last Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar in India, was conquered in 1565 and plundered before it was abandoned. Several temples are still standing.
Frank Bienewald/LightRocket/Getty Images
The Cambodian temple complex of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fglobalheritagefund.org%2Fbanteay_chhmar_cambodia" target="_blank" target="_blank">Banteay Chhmar</a> was commissioned by a 12th-century king and is well known for bas reliefs documenting the period's history.
World traveler hidden gems —
The Cambodian temple complex of Banteay Chhmar was commissioned by a 12th-century king and is well known for bas reliefs documenting the period's history.
Thierry Falise/LightRocket/Getty Images