I wonder what everyone’s impression of Bolivia is? Other than the Mirror of the Sky, what is this country really like? This time, I’d like to share with you what I saw in La Paz and Bolivia first—next time, I’ll talk about the Mirror of the Sky.
La Paz is the capital of Bolivia and also the highest capital city in the world, nearly 500 meters higher than Lhasa in Tibet. It sits in a valley over 4,000 meters above sea level. In Spanish, this valley means “City of Peace,” with terrain shaped like a boiler—high on both sides and low in the middle. In Hong Kong, the Mid-Levels are considered upscale residential areas, but in La Paz, due to the topography, the most prosperous area is in the central basin, while the poorer districts are often found on the surrounding high mountains.
The cable car system, completed in 2014, has greatly changed the lives of locals and is also one of the major achievements of Bolivia’s current president, Evo Morales. This president comes from a farming family and is also of indigenous descent. After taking office, he vigorously promoted social security measures, nationalized industries such as oil, natural gas, and other natural resources, raised the basic minimum wage, and significantly narrowed the local wealth gap, earning widespread support from the people.
In the past, Bolivia was said to be the second poorest country in Latin America, but it has improved a lot since then. In February this year, when I joined Jetour’s South America and Antarctica tour group, I happened to experience the annual Carnival in Bolivia, which gave me an even deeper sense of the local festive atmosphere.
Visiting the local Witches’ Market is also quite an experience. The cobblestone streets full of colonial charm, the peculiar magical artifacts, and the various stalls selling traditional clothing, decorations, and more are all features of the Witches’ Market.
So after returning, I often tell my friends that if you have the chance to visit Bolivia, don’t miss the cultural landscapes of La Paz.
Text & Photos: Dan @ The Story of a Half Travel Journalist
Photo by Nikon D810
Acknowledgements: Jetour, Nikon