The Best-Preserved Colonial Gem in Latin America

🌟 Why Antigua Stands Out Despite Guatemala's low profile among Chinese travelers (due to its developing economy and lack of diplomatic ties with China), Antigua shines as a must-visit colonial treasure, drawing over a million visitors yearly with its: 🏆 Accolades 1979: UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of the first in Latin America) 2022: National Geographic’s "Most Beautiful City in Central America" 2023: Brides magazine’s "Top 10 Wedding Destinations" 2024: Travel + Leisure’s #2 Best City in Central/South America (after Cusco, Peru) 🏰 A City Frozen in Time Founded: 1543 (former Spanish colonial capital of Central America) Unique Trait: Unlike most old towns, it’s not near the capital (1.5-hour drive from Guatemala City) Survival Story: Destroyed by two major earthquakes (1717 & 1773) Abandoned as the capital but preserved as a living museum 📸 What Makes It "Latin America’s Most Intact Old Town"? ✔️ Original cobblestone streets (no modern overdevelopment) ✔️ Ruins & restored Baroque churches side by side ✔️ Strict preservation laws (no high-rises, no neon signs) #HiddenGem #AntiguaGuatemala #UnescoWonders