Mogao Caves

A Statue of Buddha at Mogao Caves (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas) , Dunhuang, China

Mogao Caves, also known as Mogao Grottoes or the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, are a collection of 492 caverns, built into the cliffs along China’s Dachuan River, home to a whole host of artwork from over 1,000 years. Constructed on these caves began around 366 AD, by Buddhist monks from several significant dynasties of China, up into the 14th century.

The location of the caves, right on China’s famous Silk Route, also greatly influenced the lasting cultural significance of the caves and the works of art they hold. The caves were an important location for the exchange of both goods and cultures.

Each of the 492 caves is a sanctuary, adorned with various types of art including statues and frescoes. The art work has been dated, and provides a unique look into the progress of Chinese art over the centuries. The art also gives an inside look into life in the area during those years, depicting varied scenes of the culture and arts, politics, religion, and economics of China throughout the various dynasties. The art also shows influences of the other cultures who came into contact with the Chinese throughout this era, including Indians, Turks, and Tibetans. The people portrayed in the art also show the evolution of dress styles and cultural traditions over time.

The caves are numbered, featuring various scenes of daily life, including scenes of the Silk Route, camels with carts, and trade exchanges, field workers, warriors, and landscapes. One of the caves was found with thousands of historical manuscripts, which has been named the Library Cave. This was an important discovery for the studies of ancient Chinese culture, providing much insight into the history and culture.

Lake Malawi,Africa

Lake Malawi , Africa

One of the African Great Lakes in the Rift Valley, Lake Malawi (also called Lago Niassa or Lake Nyasa) has a surface area of about 29,600 square kilometers, making it one of the largest lakes in the world. The lake is about 560 to 580 kilometers in length, and about 75 kilometers at its widest, with a maximum depth of about 706 meters.

The national park is at the southern end of the lake, which hosts many species of wildlife, including fish like chambo and kampango, as well as the near-extinct painted hunting dog, crocodiles, hippopotamus, and monkeys.

Tourists to Lake Malawi visit the beaches and islands of Lake Malawi, which are home to resorts. There are two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi: Likoma Island (the larger island), and Chizumulu Island. Both islands are part of Malawi despite being in Mozambican waters.

Activities at Lake Malawi include scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, and camping.

Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

Uluru Ayers Rock in Australia

A sacred site of the local Aboriginal tribes, Uluru (named Ayers Rock by European colonists) is a natural landmark of Australia that has come to represent the nation and its native ancestry. Made up primarily of sandstone, the rock has a reddish appearance, which often varies at sunrise and sunset. The rock protrudes 348 meters (1,142 feet) high, and has a circumference of about 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles).

While some visitors make the steep climb up to the top of Uluru, which takes about an hour, the Aboriginal people of the region prefer that visitors walk around the sacred site, rather than climb it. Guided walks are available around the landmark, on which visitors can learn about the various sites and rock art.