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Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Peru >> Machu Picchu tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, the most iconic image in South America was believed to the residence of the the 9th Inca emperor Pachacúte's (1438-71). The city is situated at around 2350m (7710ft) above sea level, sounded by mountains and the Urubamba River.

The city was rediscovered by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham in 1911 with the help of a local Quechua farmer. At the time of his discovery, there were two families still living and farming at this place. He brought teams of expert the next year to conduct archaeological research, and the place was featured in the National Geographic magazine. He later wrote a book called "The Lost City of the Inkas" detailing the experience.

The name Machu Pichu in Quechua language means "old mountain". In 1983, it was declared as a UNESCO site, the first in Peru, as it highlights the imperial Incan cultural and serves as an excellent example of the Incans' architectural marvels.

After arriving to the city the previous day before the park was closed, we came back the next morning to fully explore the city and hear the stories.
Entering the UNESCO site
Entering the UNESCO site
The most recognizable image in South America
The most recognizable image in South America
Terraces and steps
Terraces and steps
DSC_0245.jpg
DSC_0245.jpg
DSC_0279.jpg
DSC_0279.jpg
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DSC_0244.jpg
Storages next to the terrace
Storages next to the terrace
Stone carved canals direct the water to every part of the city
Stone carved canals direct the water to every part of the city
Native plant that is part of the pineapple family
Native plant that is part of the pineapple family
Water tunnels run throughout the city
Water tunnels run throughout the city
g9/11/16011/3/157967368.9KmXiCUp.jpg Entrance to the Temple of the Sun
Entrance to the Temple of the Sun
Window of the Solstices
Window of the Solstices
Temple of the Sun on the top and the royal tomb below
Temple of the Sun on the top and the royal tomb below
The quality of this wall indicates it was for important people
The quality of this wall indicates it was for important people
Window with a view
Window with a view
View of the guard house from all angles
View of the guard house from all angles
Group of Three Door Ways
Group of Three Door Ways
Group of Three Door Ways
Group of Three Door Ways
Group of Three Door Ways
Group of Three Door Ways
Temple of the Condor
Temple of the Condor
Houses by the main square
Houses by the main square
Workers are polishing stones at the Temple of Three Windows
Workers are polishing stones at the Temple of Three Windows
The main temple
The main temple
Huge boulders still left to be carved
Huge boulders still left to be carved
The shapes of these rocks look like that of the mountain range here
The shapes of these rocks look like that of the mountain range here
Sun dial
Sun dial
Graphic display how it works
Graphic display how it works
View of the Urumbamba River from the terrace
View of the Urumbamba River from the terrace
g9/11/16011/3/157967400.9KRHgf7E.jpg
Steep!
Steep!
Quarry
Quarry
Ceremonial Rock
Ceremonial Rock
People line up to get to Huayna Picchu - the Gate of the Moon
People line up to get to Huayna Picchu - the Gate of the Moon
Paths to Huayna Picchu - steep and dangerous!
Paths to Huayna Picchu - steep and dangerous!
Floras on the cliff of the mountains
Floras on the cliff of the mountains
So much history and interpretations to go through
So much history and interpretations to go through
Artifacts showing how people stored water in Incan time
Artifacts showing how people stored water in Incan time
Hello!
Hello!
g9/11/16011/3/157967427.pKGtAeU1.jpg
g9/11/16011/3/157967430.46rBufQd.jpg g9/11/16011/3/157967432.86wo2UNk.jpg View of the royal court and the Temple of the Condor
View of the royal court and the Temple of the Condor
Guard House
Guard House
Gate to the city on the left
Gate to the city on the left
g9/11/16011/3/157967438.D1gMFUS6.jpg Machu Picchu and Urubamba River
Machu Picchu and Urubamba River
The most iconic images of Peru: Machu Picchu and llama
The most iconic images of Peru: Machu Picchu and llama
Hello!
Hello!
Urubamba River
Urubamba River
Heading to the Inca bridge
Heading to the Inca bridge
Starting point of Inca Bridge - everyone must sign in and sign out
Starting point of Inca Bridge - everyone must sign in and sign out
The trail is built on the side of sheer cliff
The trail is built on the side of sheer cliff
It gets so narrow, people needs the help of cables for safety
It gets so narrow, people needs the help of cables for safety
Dizzing view even with the help of rope
Dizzing view even with the help of rope
The cutout on the bridge is connected by a few large logs.
The cutout on the bridge is connected by a few large logs.
g9/11/16011/3/157967455.BIQf7ia4.jpg Ah....
Ah....
Both mama and baby llama are helping themselves
Both mama and baby llama are helping themselves
Caretakers' houses
Caretakers' houses