the Travel Enthusiast
- 16 Feb
evike14 in Amazing Places | 1 COMMENTThe most exciting desert ruins in the world
Palmyra, photo by Varun Shiv Kapur on Flickr
For a city dweller, deserts usually seem forbidding and inhospitable, despite the fact that there are people who made their homes in these arid corners of the planet.
Sometimes even entire cities can thrive in the middle of the desert, and become fun places to be, at least if Las Vegas is any indication. Ancient desert cities and oases have often been abandoned and now lie in ruin, and that might make a desert seem a bit creepy, but also a great destination for an adventurous traveler.
Ruins in the desert never cease to fascinate, and while some might still be quite mysterious and off the beaten track, many of them have become popular tourist attractions. If desolate landscapes and ancient wrecks are your thing, you’re probably going to enjoy visiting the most exciting desert ruins in the world.
Palmyra, Syria
In the antiquity, Palmyra was the most important caravan stop for traders crossing the Syrian desert, but it was abandoned around the 16th century. A new town with the same name was built near the ruins, and thanks to their popularity, modern Palmyra has become one of the touristy cities in Syria.
The ruins are surrounded by desert and rocky hills, and if you want to avoid the scorching desert sun you should visit either early in the morning, or before sundown – and ride a camel to get into the desert mood.
Madain Saleh, Saudi Arabia
Madain Saleh, photo by Sammy Six on Flickr
Even if Madain saleh weren’t one of the last remains of the Nabatean Empire (whose ancient capital, Petra in Jordan is much better known), these ruins in Saudi Arabia would be fascinating just because it takes a lot of effort to actually reach them.
In addition to the difficulty of visiting Saudi Arabia, Madain Saleh requires a visiting permit, and a tour guide, but a tour agency or your hotel can probably arrange that.
Nubian Pyramids, Sudan
The pyramids of Egypt are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of pyramids and Africa, but they are not the only ones on the continent. The less famous but just as mysterious and impressive pyramids where built by one of the most advanced civilizations of the ancient worlds, the Kushite Empire. There are several sites in Sudan where you can see these ancient tombs, but the largest is at Meroë.
Chan Chan, Peru
Gaochang, photo by Colegota
Chan Chan was and still is the largest adobe city in the world, but due to the elements it might not last much longer, so visit it while you still can. The city was built by the Chimor people around 850 AD, and lasted until the 15th century, when it was taken by the Inca.
The ruins that you can see at Chan Chan are the remains of ten walled citadels housing homes, temples, burial chambers and ceremonial rooms, laid out in a veritable labyrinth.
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travel search by Travelgrove (get this widget)Gaochang, China
Gaochang weas a thriving oasis on the Silk Road, located on the edges of the unforgiving Taklamakan Desert, and it was one of the most important trading centers in Western China. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the oases was besieged by Mongolians, and never rebuilt after the destruction. The ruins are close to the town of Turpan, and pretty accessible to visitors.
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Great list! Shame that some of them are so hard to get to (if even possible at all!).
One place I would add here is the Siwa Oasis in the Libyan Desert (although the oasis is actually in Egypt).
Siwa has fantastic ruins of mud-brick houses. Very atmospheric and photogenic.