Old Town Baku, known as Icherisheher (meaning “Inner City”), is the ancient heart of Baku, Azerbaijan, enclosed by 12th-century fortress walls that still stand 8–10 meters high and 3.5 meters thick. Spanning just 22 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2000) reveals layers of human history dating back to the Paleolithic era, with evidence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian influences.
Settled as early as the 7th–12th centuries, it evolved from a Bronze Age outpost into a medieval trading hub along the Silk Road, fortified against invasions and serving as the capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty from the late 1300s to around 1500.
By the 19th century, under Russian rule, it transitioned into a vibrant residential quarter—home to about 3,000 people today—blending narrow cobblestone streets, caravanserais, mosques, and bathhouses into a living mosaic of Azerbaijani heritage.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Perched at Icherisheher’s highest ...
Wat Suan Phlu (วัดสวนพลู) is a serene Buddhist temple located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, Thailand, near Charoen Krung Road and close to Saphan Taksin BTS station and the Shangri-La Hotel.
The temple was established around 1797 AD (พ.ศ. 2340) during the early Rattanakosin period. It was originally named Wat Khlong Lom (วัดคลองล้อม), due to a large canal (Khlong Silom) that once surrounded it, wide enough for Chinese merchant boats to turn around. The name later changed to Wat Suan Phlu, meaning “betel garden temple,” reflecting the betel nut plantations grown by Chinese immigrants in the area during the early Bangkok era—betel chewing was popular for strengthening teeth and facial beauty.
It received its wisungkhamasima (consecrated boundary) in 1848 AD (พ.ศ. 2391). Note that some sources confuse it with older Ayutthaya-era temples sharing similar names, but this Wat Suan Phlu dates to the late 18th century.
This small, peaceful community...
For decades, Trok Mor morning market has been going strong right under the noses of travellers in the historic Rattanakosin district. For most travelers they never get a chance to explore some of the narrow sois (streets) in Thailand. If you adventure out you get to see scenes like this being played out everyday, at all times of the day as well, in Bangkok.
The market along Trok Mor (aka Soi Thesa) quietly takes place every morning within easy walking distance of Bangkok’s biggest tourist attractions. Many of the vendors have spent a lifetime here.
Trok Mor looks and feels like it was frozen in a time before glossy highrises and shopping malls came to define much of Bangkok.
You are near Khao San Road but free of the hustle of people trying to sell you a tour or something you are not interested in. Prices seem 15 years behind the rest of the city as well as free from the oppressive atmosphere you find in more touristy places.
Trok Mor Morning Market - Soi Thesa - Bangkok Thailand ...
Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Temple is the 2nd largest Sikh temple outside of India. It’s located in the “old town” of Bangkok in what is known as Little India.
The gold dome of the temple stands out and is difficult to miss. The entrance is a bit more hidden but it is close to the Pahurat Market. This market sells colorful textiles on the streets as well as a 4 story mall near the temple. The temple is open to the public everyday and closes at 10:00 am.
The temple is well worth a visit if you are in the area and is a nice addition to a holiday especially if you’ve already done a few Thai temple tours. From the 6th story of the temple you can see some nice views of the area and see up into nearby Chinatown.
This construction has some historical and cultural value in that it actually dates back to 1932 and is the second largest Sikh temple outside of India.
The temple has something of a reputation for being welcoming, a fact made obvious by the daily buffet of vegetarian food ...
