rimming with confidence and riding a surge of new wealth
from a burgeoning middle class, Mexico City is the third
largest metropolis in the world and rapidly emerging as one
of the hottest urban destinations in the hemisphere. Home to more
than 30 concert spaces and performance halls, 15,000 restau-
rants, andmore than150 noteworthymuseums,MexicoCity offers
culturally minded travellers plenty to see and do.
Of all the new cultural attractions in the capital, one of the more
striking is the SoumayaMuseum. Built around an extensive private
collection, themuseum housesmore than66,000 religious artifacts
andworks of art in a silver cloud-likebuilding, designedby Fernan-
do Romero.
Exploring the city’smix of architectural treasures opens the door to
other aspects of Mexico’s heritage. Themagnificent Palace of Fine
Arts, displaying a fusion of Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences,
is the capital’s most important performing arts center and home to
Mexico’s unofficial national dance company, Ballet Folklórico.
Founded in 1952, the company has entertained audiences for six
decadeswith a robust array of regional dances, performed several
times weekly.
Mexico’s layered history is evident in themore than 44,000 active
archaeological sites scattered throughout the country, nearly 200
of which are open to the public.Well-staffed and expertly supervi-
sed sites such as Ek’ Balam in northern Yucatan, ensure that even
the casual visitor can fully explore the breadth and wonder of its
history.
Even before the rise of the Aztecs, theOlmec, Zapotec, Teotihua-
can, Toltec, Mixtec andMayan civilizations left their imprint,
exerting powerful regional influences across what would become
modernMexico. The colorful celebration of the Day of the Dead,
for example—a tradition that honors the dead and prepares for
their annual returnwith flowers, music, and dance—can be
traced to ceremonies practiced by the Zapotec more than 2,500
years ago.
From ancient sun-baked pyramids in Yucatan to the buzzing
galleries of MexicoCity’smost fashionable neighborhoods, there
is no end to the rich artistic and historical treasures waiting to be
discovered inMexico.
On the southern outskirts of Mexico City, visitors can explore the
Aztec city of Xochimilco, aUNESCOWorldHeritage Site, where
open-air boats called trajineras tour an ancient network of canals
and gardens. To the north, the Aztec city of Teotihuacán offers its
own brand of ancient metropolitan charms, with well-preserved
ruins of tranquil plazas, temples, and the third-largest pyramid in
theworld.
Venturing deeper into the land of the Mayas on the Yucatan
Peninsula, visitors can explore the stunning majesty of Chichén
Itza, and the seaside ruins of Tulum. Set on towering cliffs and
surrounded by white beaches and clear Caribbean water, the
ruins of Tulum—and the modern resorts and attractions
nearby—are enough to put any traveller into an enchanted state.
C
ULT
URAL
SPLENDORS
OFMEXICO
For more information on making
Mexico part of your travel plans,go to
visitmexico.com
Palaceof fineArts
SoumayaMouseum
Chichen Itza
TulumRivieraMaya
Advertisement
