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India

Ajanta

The Painted Caves
Lost Cities & RuinsSacred Cities
Gateway town: Aurangabad
Portrait

Ajanta's caves were carved into a horseshoe gorge between the second century BC and the fifth AD, then abandoned so completely that a British hunting party rediscovered them in 1819 with the murals intact. Photography without flash only, and go on a weekday: the paintings are the finest surviving from ancient India and the caves are small enough that a crowd blocks the light.

If you like this city
Abu Simbel, Egypt — The Moved TemplesAngkor, Cambodia — The Temple SeaBagan, Myanmar — The Pagoda Plain
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