The Highland Capital: Quito

Created January 2004
Quito is the second highest capital in the world (the highest capital in the world, La Paz of Bolivia, is also in Andean Mountains). With mountains all surrounding the city center and Spanish colonial building, it reminds me one of my favorite cities - Cuzco in Peru (also in the Andes, aren't there really full of great cities in this mountain?). It is great to walk around this historic and photo genic city. but beware, "Altitude sickness" might come to get you (it did get me, though not as bad as the experience I had in Peru). Take time to adjust to its high altitude before going out running around,

Click the pictures to get a bigger image
在照片上按一下滑鼠就可看到此照片的放大版

Plaza of San Francisco
  • Plaza of San Francisco in front of the San Fracisco Monastery, the most magnificent church in Quito. However, it was rainy the day I visited, so you cannot see a lot of people on the Plaza.
Quito Cathedral
  • Though Cathedral usually is the biggest church in town in Catholic countries (cathedral means "main center church"), Quito Cathedral is actually smaller and less significant than San Francisco monastery (see above). It was not even open I day I dropped by.
View of the Giant Virgin Mary Statue from Santo Domingo Plaza
  • View of the giant Virgin Mary Statue on El Panecillo Hill from santo Domingo Plaza. This plaza is one of the three colonial in old town Quito.
Dome of La Compania Church
  • This is the dome of La Compania Church, viewed from San Francisco Plaza. It is possibly the second most popular church after San Francisco Monastery.
Inside San Francisco Monastery
  • The glitering golden hue inside the San Francisco Monastery. Yes, they are real gold!
A narrow street in Old Town Quito
  • A narrow street in the heart of Old Town Quito. It does feel very Spanish.
    雨過天晴後的基多舊城區街角一景

Back to the Main Page for 2003 Ecuador Trip