Machu Picchu
Visit the Lost World
By Nikita Jaeger
Are you looking forward to visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World? Why don’t you plan to visit a location lesser-known to the common man, Machu Picchu? It was unknown to the world for quite some time and a masterpiece in itself, the way it has built having all the facilities, but confining from the outer world. Machu Picchu is worth visiting to understand its architecture and conspicuous practices, rituals, etc…
Machu Picchu is the lost city of Incas, located on top of the Andes Mountains in Peru 80 kilometres from Cuzco. As per historical assumptions and interpretation, the Inca citadel dating back to the 15th century is a standing reminder of ancient Inca civilization. Because of the intricate construction technology, in 2007 it has declared as the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World,’ and also elevated as the Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981. In 1983, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You must have a strong endurance skill if you want to hike up the trail. There are many stairs to negotiate until you reach the mountain top of Machu Picchu. Each place you will go is an architectural masterpiece and faced with many unanswered questions. The most intriguing among all are the precisely chiselled large rocks, stacked over one another without using mortar or any other joineries.
Many of the rocks appear to be more than one tone in weight and impossible to move without advanced technology. The entire Inca civilization disappeared from Machu Picchu without leaving any trace of their existence, except these civil structures. You will need patience and stamina to complete the trip, but nothing to worry about, as there is natural beauty everywhere to keep company.
马丘比丘（Machu Picchu ）位于现今的秘鲁（Peru）境内库斯科（Cuzco）西北75公里，整个遗址高耸在海拔约2350米的山脊上，俯瞰着乌鲁班巴河谷，为热带丛林所包围。
马丘比丘是秘鲁著名的前哥伦布时期印加帝国，建于约公元1500年的遗迹，被称为是“世界新七大奇迹之一”。马丘比丘在克丘亚语中为“古老的山”之义，也被称作“失落的印加城市”。
由于独特的位置、地理特点和发现时间较晚，马丘比丘成了印加帝国最为人所熟悉的标志。马丘比丘是世界上为数不多的文化与自然双重遗产之一。
Visa Requirements
Tourists from the USA, Japan, European Union, South Africa, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and Canada do not require a visa to visit Machu Picchu, except a 6-month valid passport. Tourists from all other countries are required a permit to enter Machu Picchu. The tourist visa will be valid for 183 days without extension. In addition to passport and other documents needed, tourists required to furnish hotel reservation details, and economic solvency for the period of their stay in Peru. Tourists, who are planning to visit Machu Picchu, need to take entry permit and also train ticket, which is available online and can purchase in advance.
来自美国，日本，欧盟，南非，南美洲，新西兰，澳大利亚，墨西哥和加拿大的游客除了6个月的有效护照外，不需要签证就可以访问马丘比丘。来自其他国家的游客需要获得进入马丘比丘的许可证。旅游签证有效期为183天，无延期。除了护照和其他所需文件外，游客还需要提供在秘鲁逗留期间的酒店预订详情和经济偿付能力证明。计划参观马丘比丘的游客需要获得入境许可证和火车票，这些可在线获取并可提前购买。
How to get there?
Once you have decided to visit Machu Picchu, it is important to know that the closest airport is in Cusco city. Though the Alejandro Velasco Astete airport, Cusco is an international airport, it doesn’t have direct flights from any part of the world. Tourist needs to reach the Lima International Airport, Peru and from there take feeder service to Alejandro Velasco Astete airport.
From the Cusco airport, board a train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to the site. It is a roughly four-hour ride through the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba River. After that, you must hike up to the site.
访问马丘比丘，最近的机场位于库斯科市。虽然库斯科有一个国际机场，但它没有来自世界任何地方的直飞航班。游客需要到达秘鲁利马国际机场，然后从那里乘坐支线到Alejandro Velasco Astete机场。
从库斯科机场出发，乘坐火车前往最近的小镇阿瓜斯卡连特斯。沿乌鲁班巴河（Urubamba River）穿过圣谷（Sacred Valley）大约需要四个小时。之后，你必须徒步。
Things to do at Machu Picchu
An interesting fact that came up in recent years is that Machu Picchu is a seismically active area, but nothing happened to these structures. The cities close to Machu Picchu had hit severely, but the structures here remained the same. The ancient ruins and huge blocks never fell apart during the tremors. Its fine craftsmanship and precise stone cutting helped to absorb the tremors and settled back to its original position.
So, while you admire this engineering and architectural marvel, here are a few things we suggest you must not miss out:
一个有趣的事实是，马丘比丘是一个地震活跃的地区，靠近马丘比丘的城市遭受了严重打击，但这里的结构完好如初。组成建筑的巨石被打磨得光滑精细，石块与石块之间严丝密合，没有一点缝隙，足见技艺之精湛。然而当时的人们如何将巨石运上悬崖，如何测量打磨，仍然是未解之谜。
当你钦佩这个工程奇迹时，我们建议您不要错过以下景点：
No.1 Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
The famous Inca trail will end here at the Sun Gate. The hills will be left behind, creating a beautiful natural background. It was once the fortress of the city. The structure looks like a control gate, to watch the movement of people who enter and leave Inca City during the ancient times.
Inti Punku（太阳门）
太阳门是印加古道的终点，围绕的山丘在那里形成了一个美丽的风景。通往太阳门的山路都是与印加古道一样的石阶。
No.2 Temple of three windows
It is on the main urban sections of Machu Picchu and constructed with three large lithic structures stacked over the other without using mortar or packing materials. The reason or purpose for the construction is still unknown to the historians. But the most realistic theory is that the windows give a fair idea about the origin of Incas, based on the writing of Pachakuti Yanki Salqamayhua. It says, Manco Capac, the first ruler, ordered to build the window after establishing the Inca Empire. As per Inca mythology, the ruler and his sister Mama Ocllo were descenders from heaven.
三窗庙
三窗庙位于主神庙旁，因有三扇巨石叠成的大窗而得名。庙中立有一根石柱，据说是用来支撑屋顶的，石柱边还有一块代表天地宇宙的阶梯石刻，是印加神庙的重要标志之一。据推测三窗庙可能没有屋顶，以便祭司随时可以观测星象。这座神庙当初的功用是什么已无人知道，神庙的三个梯形窗很能表现印加石匠精湛的石雕功力，窗子外不远处有一块矩形石条，推测曾用作观察太阳，或举行宗教仪式时使用；在过去的太阳祭典中，三窗庙可能扮演重要的角色。
No.3 Temple of the Sun (Templo Del Sol)
It is the only curved structure in Machu Picchu, in fact, round building in the whole complex featured with a sundial in the centre of this structure. You can find a carved stone at the centre of the temple, which is believed to be used for worshiping Sun god and for many cult ceremonies. Historians assume that the temple may had been used for understanding the movement of Sun and the position of the stars. Inside the temple, you can also find a stone altar, which might had been used for performing rituals and sacrifices.
太阳神庙
这个建在一个小型洞穴顶部的神庙是古印加人对天文和建筑学造诣的最佳代表。太阳神庙呈半圆形，由于独特的地理位置和构造，它能完美地捕捉太阳的运动。太阳神庙不仅是印加人祈祭太阳的场所，更是一座天文观测站。近年有考古天文学研究发现，每年夏至时分，太阳光正好由神庙东窗射入，十分准确地投影在庙中用来测量太阳升起点的“捆日石”上。夜晚如果从神殿里这个窗口往外看，对星座比较了解的人会留意到昴宿星，这个星座代表着五谷丰收。
No.4 Inca Bridge
From the centre of Machu Picchu, it is just 30 minutes’ walk. The bridge acts as a checkpoint to the Inca Citadel. Made up of wooden plank, the guards can remove the planks quickly if they suspect any visitors. The bridge constructed on the narrow mountainside, making it impossible to negotiate once the wooden planks removed.
印加桥
印加桥（Inca Bridge）是马丘比丘山右侧（面对马丘比丘山，在马丘比丘山西侧）的一条步行道，在步行道的入口需要登记进入时间和出来的时间，步行道旁的地势比较险峻，因为一侧就是悬崖绝壁、万丈深渊，可能担心游客失足滑落而失踪，做登记能清楚知道游客是否都安全返回。徒步这段步行道用时半小时左右。
No.5 Intihuatana
Standing from the Machu Picchu Urban Sector, Intihuatana located on the western side is a rock pillar carved at the top of the Intihuatana hill. As per historians and archaeologists, the pillar may had been used for spiritual and astronomical purposes or as a Sun dial. It is one solid piece of granite, making it one of the exciting aspects that attracts tourists. The solstices were predicted using the angles of this pillar by the Inca Astronomers. They believed that they could control the length of the summer days. All these observations are assumptions only, and so far we have no idea how this pillar used to calculate the length of seasons.
栓日石
在马丘比丘最重要的一项发现就是「拴日石」(Intihuatana)。它是由一块石头以及一道直立于其上的石柱所组成，大小相当于一台平台钢琴。「拴日石」的字面意义是「用来绑住太阳」。它会在印加人举行冬至仪式时被派上用场。一名祭司会在仪式进行期间将太阳绑在这块石头上，以避免太阳从此消失不见。由于此地的其他古迹已被破坏殆尽，因此「拴日石」的存在具有十分珍贵的意义。
No.6 Sacristy (The House of Ornaments)
It is a well-crafted part of the building located behind Principal Temple. It is believed to had been used for storing the ceremonial objects. It also has beautiful stone carving and even a carved stone bench. One of the important attractions of Sacristy is its entrance constructed with two huge rocks with carvings of 30 angles.
圣器收藏室（饰品之家）
这是一座精致的建筑，位于Principal Temple后面。它被认为是用于存放礼仪物品。它还有美丽的石雕，甚至还有雕刻的石凳。圣器收藏室的一个重要景点是它的入口由两块巨大的岩石构成。
No.7 Hut of the caretaker
It is a restored building of ancient Inca civilization, located ideally to have a panoramic view of the entire spectrum of Machu Picchu. It can be also used as a shelter in case of rain. The Inca trail enters the city from just under this hut.
守门人小屋
这是一座古老的建筑，可以看到整个马丘比丘的全景。它还可以在下雨时用作避雨。
Conclusion
Being coined as a New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is receiving tremendous global tourism attention. Tourist can enter Machu Picchu through only the two entry points. The main entry point and the Gate of the Sun. Out of the two, Gate of the Sun is exclusively using by Inca trail tourists, and on a single day, about 4,000 tourists can visit the location. Most of tourists visit the Machu Picchu through the main entrance.
Machu Picchu tour requires meticulous planning. As the trails are very narrow, there is a good chance of getting lost. Please try always to have a guide with you. The site is open daily during the morning to 5 pm. Last entry is at 4 pm, and all must leave by 5 pm. You must buy tickets beforehand.
As it is a hilly area, it would be better to carry a raincoat or an umbrella. Take care of some of the restrictions, such as walking sticks, large backpacks, etc., as you cannot take all these things. A tourist can only take a small bag with some essential items.
You must wear something that you would be comfortable for a workout. Also taking food is a strict no. Littering of any sort is not allowed. The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to October. Rest of the season, it is rainy and foggy, and visibility will be abysmal. Taking mosquito repellents is also advisable. Visiting Machu Picchu will be a great experience, provided if you can engage an experienced tour operator.
马丘比丘之旅需要精心策划。由于路径非常狭窄，很有可能迷路。请尽量随身携带指南。每天上午至下午5点开放。最后入场时间是下午4点，所有人必须在下午5点之前离开。必须提前买票。
这里是丘陵地带，最好随身携带雨衣或雨伞，游客只允许携带装必需品的小包。
你必须穿适合运动的服装。同时食物也被严格限制。任何形式的乱抛垃圾都是不允许的。参观马丘比丘的最佳时间是4月至10月。余下的时间下雨或有雾，能见度很差，不适合游览。如果您可以聘请经验丰富的导游，那么参观马丘比丘将是一次很棒的体验。
