Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) | China

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Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) are located in the North-Western Province of Gansu, near the city of Dunhuang, China. This city was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, a network of overland trade routes that linked China with the Mediterranean.

The site includes hundreds of grottoes excavated in the local soft rocks. The constructions started in the 4th century and for over 10 centuries more and more caves have been added by the Buddhist monks.

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Si-o-Se Pol Bridge in Isfahan | Iran

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The Allah-Verdi Khan Bridge is one of of Isfahan's most famous bridges. It is made up of a series of 33 arches, built in 1602 and has a total length of almost 300 metres. The bridge is also known as the Si-o-Se Pol which means 33 Bridge. 

 

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In 2014 Iran issued a series of alphabet stamps. In 2013 Iran issued 7 stamps depicting bridges. The Veresk Bridge in Iran connects the railway between Tehran and the Caspian Sea region. 

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Along the Silk Road, ancient city of Khiva | Uzbekistan

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Khiva is an ancient city located in Xorazm Province, Uzbekistan. In the 10th century Khiva is mentioned as a major trading center on the Silk Road. Itchan Kala is the inner town, protected by brick walls some 10 m high, of the old Khiva oasis, which was the last resting-place of caravans before crossing the desert to Iran.

In 1990 the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Thx Patrik!

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Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, a monument for Amir Timur

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Amir Timur (1336-1405), also known as Tamerlane, is remembered as a vicious conqueror, who razed ancient cities to the ground and put entire populations to the sword. He was the most powerful ruler in the Muslim world after defeating the Mamluks of Egypt and Syria, the emerging Ottoman Empire and the declining Sultanate of Delhi.

On the other hand, he is also known as a great patron of the arts, literature, and architecture. The Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz, located on the Silk Roads in southern Uzbekistan, is over 2000 years old. The city contains many fine monuments, and in particular those from the Timurid period.

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A matching stamp!

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The Stone City of Tashkurgan | 塔什庫爾幹鎮

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The name of Tashkurgan means "stone city" or "stone fort", and the town lies in the extreme South-West of the province of Xinjiang (China), in the Tajik Autonomous County.

It is an ancient outpost along the Silk Road, situated close to the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Afghanistan and Pakistan. At an altitude of 3600m, it lies at the foot of the road leading to the Kunjerhab Pass, the Karakoram Highway.

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The Karakoram Highway from Pakistan

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The Karakoram Highway known as K.K.H., has been cut through the highest and the mightiest mountains of the world, that is, the Himalayas and the Karakorams. This Highway connects Pakistan with the People's Republic of China via Khunjrab pass (16,200 feet above sea level).

This highway has been described as the eighth wonder of the world by hundreds of travellers and beyond any doubt, it is the marvel of modern engineering. The brave road builders of China and Pakistan took twenty years to complete this 774 km. long highway which has been stretched over the hills, gorges, valleys and rivers.

Source: http://rpakistan.tripod.com/kkh/kkh.htm

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125th Founder's Day Celebration Of Karachi Gymkhana.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan

Rohtas Fort, a garrison fort (UNESCO whs)

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