Ancient Cities in the World

Ancient Cities in the World

History is one of the best parts of travel; the more history in a place, the more you're likely to learn. While the rest of the world looks to the top destinations for their next vacation, history lovers should look to the cities with the most to offer – cities that are older than any other on the planet and home to some of the world's greatest heritage sites. Going back thousands of years before the common era, the world's oldest cities are some of the most cultural destinations, many of them having been conquered and influenced by different peoples and their own cultures.

B alkh (Founded ca. 1500 BC)

Known to the Ancient Greeks as Bactra, Balkh holds a lot of history. Most notably, it was traditionally a center of Zoroastrianism, as it is considered to be the place where Zoroaster first preached and later died. Many famous Persian figures came from Balkh, such as the poet Rumi, as well as the philosopher and scientist, Avicenna. Today, it is located in northern Afghanistan and is the site of many ancient ruins, as well as historic mosques and shrines. 

Located in modern-day China, one of the most popular destinations for international tourists, Louyang has been called by many names over the centuries, including Xibo, Luoyi, Zhongguo, Henan, Dongdu, and Shendu. Considered one of the "cradles of Chinese civilization," it is one of the four historical capitals of China. Impressive ancient sites include the colossal Buddhist statues at Longmen Grottoes, as well as White Horse Temple, said to be the first Buddhist temple in China.