In countries around the world, there are villages and towns that have fascinatingly managed to preserve their original architecture and landscape amid rapid modernization.
The rich historical context they give us has led to their recognition by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites of cultural significance.
From Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia’s oldest mining town, to South Korea's Yangdong and Hahoe villages, whose stunning landscape inspired 17th- and 18th-century poets, here are 14 villages and towns that have managed to maintain their original culture, architecture, and character for hundreds of years.
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Český Krumlov, located on the banks of the Vitava River in the Czech Republic, is one of the best preserved medieval villages in Eastern Europe, according to UNESCO. Here, you’ll find a medieval castle overlooking the town, winding cobbled lanes, and the Eggenberg Brewery, which uses the area’s high-quality water in a traditional method dating from as far back as 1560.
Learn more about the Historic Centre of Český Krumlov.
Japan’s Shirakawa-go village, located in the Gifu Prefecture, and the nearby Gokayama village, located in Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, are known for their unique building style of steeply pitched, thatched roofs. The villages are located west of Tokyo in a stunning mountainous region where you’ll see a river valley surrounded by rugged mountains.
Learn more about the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
The Old Town of Lijiang in Yunan, China, established in the 13th century, still maintains its historic landscape and a complex, ancient water-supply system, which you can still see functioning today.
Learn more about the Old Town of Lijiang.
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