~ Top 10 Underrated Cities ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Underrated Cities


1. Taipei, Taiwan   



Taipei, the Capital city of the Chinese Republic, is a cultural haven where you can mingle with people from all over the world and get a taste of the Chinese heritage that makes China what it is today. The city center is home to a booming metropolis and even the Palace Museum that holds some of Chinas most ancient artifacts. The city actually has over 50 different private and public museums to discover. It is also a city with a thriving nightlife scene with clubs that never sleep. The diversity you can find in cuisine is some of the best China has to offer, incorporating flavors from all the regions of the country. Probably one of the most famous attractions is the Taipei fireworks show during the Chinese New Year; during this time the tallest building in the city center lights the sky with colorful displays. Dont miss the citys night shopping, either.

[MysteRy]

2. Nara, Japan   



The ancient city of Nara, Japan has been around for more than 1,300 years now and was once the capital of the small country. Nara has a well-preserved history and the historic sites are much like they were several hundred years ago, which attracts many visitors in itself. The ancient city is widely underdeveloped and it is kept like this for the specific reason of preserving the ancient structures in a place they shine. When the city was first established in 710 it was known as Heijo; Heijo then became Nara a few hundred years later. Japans oldest and largest temples are found in Nara and to this day visitors can still discover their secrets. The reason that the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto was due to the strong influence of the Buddhist community growing in power; the government of the time became threatened by the group and moved the capital city.

[MysteRy]

3. Antwerp, Belgium   



Antwerp, Belgium is one of the most important cities in the lowcountry of Belgium, both culturally and economically. The total population of the city is around 500,000 people and businesses thrive in the citys downtown area. Antwerp actually has one of the largest seaports in Europe and this is the main reason the city is vital for the population of the lowcountry. The name of the city spawned from an age-old legend involving a giant and a young hero. It is said that to cross the citys river travelers were to pay a toll to a giant that lived on the riverbank. For those that did not pay the toll he would cut off one of their hands and throw it into the river. That was until a young man came along and severed the giants hand and tossed it into the river. The giants name was Antigoon. "Antiwerp” means "Antigoons Hand in the River”, roughly translated.

[MysteRy]

4. Calgary, Canada   



Calgary sits at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and was first settled by Europeans in 1873. The land, though, has been inhabited for at least 11,000 years. Artifacts and ancient sites have been discovered that date back to a Pre-Clovis people that called the area home thousands of years ago. It was the mid-1950s when Calgary made its headline boom. About 40 years after the city of Alberta struck oil, Calgary later got in on the industry making the city sky-rocket into development. During the oil boom the city quickly filled with skyscrapers and towering buildings. This development trend never really receded either and the city grows to this day, adding new skyscrapers daily to its ever-growing economy. Over 3.1 million people visit the city every year to see the huge festivals and celebrations, especially the Calgary Stampede, which has been going strong since 1902 and has just about everything to do with equestrian sports.

[MysteRy]

5. Providence, RI, USA   



Providence, Rhode Island is one of the first cities of the United States, and it is also the most populated city in the state, having a population of almost 200,000 residents. The land that is now Providence was first claimed in 1636 by Roger Williams; shortly thereafter, it became one of the original thirteen colonies of the new America. The land initially followed in the footsteps of Williams - as he was exiled from Massachusetts, so were many of the following occupiers. Currently, the city has developed into a most peaceful seaside town, with many museums and historical sites that express its long and full history, especially for the citys role in the American Revolution. The town has stunning beaches and a booming cultural district with foods from all over the world as well as an important and fast-growing business district. Many fortune 500 companies make their home in Providence.

[MysteRy]

6. Valencia, Spain   



Just behind Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia is Spains third-largest city. The citys founding dates all the way back to the days of the Roman Empire in 138 BC. The historic district of the city is about the size of 169 acres, making it one of the largest in Spain. The ancient history and historic monuments of the town are actually what helped it become such a popular tourist destination for foreigners and Spaniards alike. The economic boom of Spain helped as well, making the city one of the fastest-growing business areas in Spain. The port of Valencia is the fifth busiest in all of Europe, bringing in over 4.2 trillion euros a year to Spain. The city is also home to the largest lake in Spain as well - Albufera, which is formally recognized as a saltwater lagoon. The historic city is one of the most travelled cities in Spain today and should be on everyones list of must-see places.

[MysteRy]

7. Glasgow, Scotland   



The award for the 57th most livable city in the world goes to Glasgow, Scotland, which is also one of Europes top ten financial centers as well. An interesting fact about the citys merchant district is that all the streets were named after tobacco lords of the 18th and 19th centuries. This is mainly due to the fact that during that time one of the biggest exports was tobacco and many of the wealthy lords built their stately mansions and homes in the merchant district. Today the district is a growing cultural area with a huge amount of museums and art galleries. It is also the home of the Merchant City Festival. Glasgow has a ton of unique architecture, some examples that were ahead of their time and some that are historic sites. Glasgow is also the countrys nightlife headquarters as well and the biggest club in Scotland is found in the center of the city.

[MysteRy]

8. Bordeaux, France   



Maybe best known for its stronghold on the wine industry, Bordeaux has been exporting wine since the 8th century and is the site of the Vinexpo, the worlds largest wine convention. Due to its marvelous arrangement of 18th-century architecture in its historic district, it is listed on UNESCOs World Heritage list. The history of the famous city dates back all the way to the Neanderthal people, who inhabited the land where the city rests some 30,000 years ago. The remains of the ancient people were found in a cave just outside the city limits. It also fell under the Roman Empires rule in 60BC and remained that way until the 3rd century. Today the city is as alive as it was then and continues to expand its global reach. The city brings in many visitors every year to see the citys historical sites and enjoy the calm and relaxing atmosphere of the charming city.

[MysteRy]

9. Bratislava, Slovakia   



Home to the Slovakian president and the largest city in the country, Bratislava is the cultural, economic and political epicenter of the country. Over the centuries the city has been controlled by many different cultures and countries; it was actually the site of the Hungarian Kingdom for over two hundred years. It was just renamed in 1919 to its present name, as it has been known by many names throughout its long and volatile history and to this day it is home to many different languages and religions. During WWI and II the city sustained heavy damage from bombardments and this is one of the reasons that the city is now home to many modern structures. One of the most unique, which is also a major site, is the UFO-shaped restaurant that is set high in the air above one of the citys busy bridges. The restaurant gives a nice view of the city.

[MysteRy]

10. Baltimore, MD, USA   



The city of Baltimore, Maryland has one of the busiest seaports in the United States and is home to some of the most renowned architectural works form great architects such as Benjamin Latrobe. Often the city is called the "city of neighborhoods” since it has over 72 historic districts in total. The port has three very popular downtown areas, each with its own theme. Baltimore is known for its artsy culture and plethora of museums and fine art galleries as well. Just recently the city has been recognized as the 14th most walkable, maybe that is why the streets are so busy. Baltimore also has its own football team, baseball team and even its own hockey team among a good amount of other sports teams. It is truly a city among the stars.