Mexico City鈥檚 Historic Centre, Mexico City, Mexico
As one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City is surprisingly easy to navigate and a pleasure to visit. It鈥檚 often feared as being a dangerous city, and parts of it probably are, but its historical centre is safe, and perfect for history loving tourists. Mexico City鈥檚 historic downtown lets you see both sides of its past with colonial churches standing beside Mexica ruins.
Mexico City (Cuidad de M茅xico) is often abbreviated to CDMX. The city with a population of over 22 million is located in Valley of Mexico; a highlands plateau at 2,200 m/7,200 ft elevation. The valley originally had 5 large, interconnected lakes that attracted its first indigenous settlers as early as 12,000 BCE. By the 1300s AD, the Mexica people arrived. They and other indigenous people in Mexico and parts of Central America share the Nahautl language and are often incorrectly called Aztecs.
The Mexicas were nomadic people believed to be roaming the lands for generations looking for a place to settle. In 1325, legend says that they spotted a serpent and eagle fighting on a cactus in the middle of Lake Texcoco, one of the 5 lakes. They took this as a sign to establish their community on that island and called it Tenochtitlan. They built floating gardens, called chinampas, as wells as dams and canals to control the lakes鈥� water levels. We visited one of these lakes for a tour on a traditional boat. (See our post聽A Boat Tour In Xochimilco). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Mexico City (Cuidad de M茅xico) is often abbreviated to CDMX. The city with a population of over 22 million is located in Valley of Mexico; a highlands plateau at 2,200 m/7,200 ft elevation. The valley originally had 5 large, interconnected lakes that attracted its first indigenous settlers as early as 12,000 BCE. By the 1300s AD, the Mexica people arrived. They and other indigenous people in Mexico and parts of Central America share the Nahautl language and are often incorrectly called Aztecs.
The Mexicas were nomadic people believed to be roaming the lands for generations looking for a place to settle. In 1325, legend says that they spotted a serpent and eagle fighting on a cactus in the middle of Lake Texcoco, one of the 5 lakes. They took this as a sign to establish their community on that island and called it Tenochtitlan. They built floating gardens, called chinampas, as wells as dams and canals to control the lakes鈥� water levels. We visited one of these lakes for a tour on a traditional boat. (See our post聽A Boat Tour In Xochimilco). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Sights Featured in This Article
Guide Name: Mexico City鈥檚 Historic Centre
Guide Location: Mexico » Mexico City
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Mexico » Mexico City
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Maggie Kayes
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Constitution Square
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- National Palace
- Rectoria Sano Domingo de Guzman
- Avenida Madero
- Casa de los Azulejos
- Alameda Central Park
- Palacio Bella Artes
- Torre Latinoamericana
- Santa Veracruz Church
- Angel of Independence
- Chapultepec Park
- Chapultepec Castle
- Museum of Anthropology
- Basilica Guadalupe
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Must-Try Mexican Foods in Mexico City
While Mexico is a treasure trove in terms of cultural and artistic heritage (ancient history, architecture, etc.), the vast majority of visitors to the country are lured mainly by, let's face it, bodily pleasures. The latter are manifested in the form of sandy beaches, sun and, most...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Must-Buy Local Products from Mexico City
Both historic and modern day Mexico's are worth each other in terms of cultural and artistic heritage. The country's capital Mexico City is a showroom of what the label "Made in Mexico" stands for in its entirety. Whether it's authentic food, drink or piece of craftsmanship...
The Most Popular Cities
/ view all