From Machu Picchu to Beijing, tracing time in stone and shadow

With China now offering visa-free travel to Peruvian citizens and those from several other South American countries, the journey between ancient civilizations just got closer.

High in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu stands as a timeless symbol of the Inca Empire. As both a cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, it blends breathtaking landscapes with extraordinary architecture.

Stone walls fit together so precisely that no mortar was needed – a testament to the engineering brilliance of the ancient builders. At its heart lies the Intihuatana, or the "Hitching Post of the Sun," believed to be a sacred astronomical instrument for observing the sun and marking seasonal changes.

In China, the world-renowned heritage site of the Forbidden City tells the story of another great civilization. Once home to emperors, this masterpiece of wooden architecture and urban planning is rich in symbolism and tradition.

Among the many historic artifacts found in the Forbidden City is the ancient sundial, once used by royal court astronomers to measure time and chart the solar calendar. Much like Machu Picchu's Intihuatana, the sundial reflects humanity's long-standing quest to understand the heavens and align with natural rhythms.