Today marks the beginning of my journey through Ecuador. The country recently made international headlines due to a diplomatic conflict with Mexico, triggering political ripples across Latin America and even stirring global concern, briefly raising fears of a potential military crisis. Ecuador responded by declaring a nationwide state of emergency. However, despite some unrest, daily life hasn’t been heavily disrupted, and the overall domestic order remains relatively stable.
This political situation unexpectedly thrust Ecuador—usually a quiet and unassuming country—into the international spotlight, giving it a sudden surge of attention. Objectively speaking, Ecuador isn’t a large or particularly well-known country, but it still has a lot to offer, especially as a popular travel destination.
Its appeal lies in its diverse landscapes. Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean, with a coastline stretching nearly a thousand kilometers. The Andean mountain range runs north to south through its heart, and to the east, the country extends deep into the Amazon Basin, where tropical rainforests blanket vast expanses. The equator cuts across its northern region, giving the country its intriguing, albeit somewhat misleading, name.
All in all, few places in the world offer such a remarkable variety of landscapes and natural conditions as Ecuador does.
Today, we explored Quito, the capital of Ecuador and a designated UNESCO World Heritage city. Quito is the world’s second-highest capital, sitting at an elevation of approximately 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) and surrounded by snow-capped mountains rising above 4,000 meters. Thanks to its high altitude, the city enjoys mild temperatures year-round, despite being near the equator, creating a unique blend of warmth and coolness—like an eternal spring.
The city stretches from north to south and is divided into two main areas: the Old Town and the New Town. The Old Town preserves a wealth of historical architecture with strong influences from both the ancient Inca civilization and the Spanish colonial period, making it one of the best-preserved historical centers in South America. Quito is particularly known for its abundance of old churches—there are more than 80 churches spread across the city, contributing to its rich cultural heritage.
Our first stop was the Quito Cathedral, an impressive Gothic structure perched on a high slope. Its three spires soar into the sky, adding to its imposing presence. Also known as the Basilica of the National Vow (Basílica del Voto Nacional), the cathedral gained prominence thanks to the favor of political leaders—several former presidents of Ecuador are buried here.
Next, we visited the Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús). Unlike the cathedral, which rose to prominence through political power, this church radiates an air of wealth and prestige. Its interior is richly decorated, dazzling with gold from floor to ceiling, earning it the nickname “The Golden Church.” The intricate design and lavish use of gold create an atmosphere of grandeur and opulence.
Finally, we made our way to the renowned San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco), one of the oldest churches not only in Quito but in all of South America. Construction began in the early 16th century and took over two centuries to complete, with numerous setbacks along the way. As a result, the church reflects a blend of European, Persian, Arabic, and Moorish architectural styles. Unlike the previous two churches, which embody political power and wealth, the San Francisco Church has a distinctly humble, people-centered character. However, its interior remains extraordinary, with walls adorned with stained glass and gold leaf. The church is widely recognized as a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.
The Independence Square at the heart of Quito’s Old Town is undoubtedly one of the city’s most distinctive and popular spots. Unlike typical city squares, which are often vast and open, this one feels more like a park, with towering ancient trees and lush greenery providing plenty of shade. At the center of the square stands a uniquely designed independence column, commemorating the events of August 10, 1809. On that day, Ecuador fired the first shot of resistance against colonial rule, becoming the first to achieve independence and sparking a wave of liberation movements that swept across South America. This moment remains one of the most significant chapters in the country’s history.
Surrounding the square are several grand buildings: the impressive Presidential Palace, the solemn Municipal Hall, and the Quito Cathedral with its tall towers and whitewashed walls. Each of these buildings features white facades adorned with intricate stone carvings, exuding the elegance of Renaissance-era architecture and embodying classic European design.
Quito is truly a mountain city, surrounded by towering peaks and full of ups and downs. You won’t find a single flat road in the entire city—every street seems to involve climbing. Interestingly, despite the abundance of mountains, the most scenic spot is a small hill in the southern part of the city, rising less than 200 meters. Locals affectionately call it Panecillo, or “Bread Loaf Hill.”
Winding up the hill brings you to the summit, where a towering stone statue of the Virgin Mary—known as the Virgin of Quito—stands majestically. Though it now appears sacred and iconic, the story behind it is rather amusing. Originally, it was just an art project by students from the Quito School of Arts. However, when it was placed on the hill, it unexpectedly captured the hearts of locals and became a beloved landmark. Today, it is celebrated as a symbol of the people’s struggle for independence and freedom.
Beyond the statue itself, the view from the top is spectacular. From here, you can gaze down on Quito’s maze of streets, with houses and buildings rising and falling with the landscape. In the distance, clouds drift lazily over the city, enveloping entire neighborhoods in mist. Unfortunately, the cloud cover was too thick for us to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Pichincha Volcano, but the view was stunning nonetheless.
I’m not sure if equatorial weather is always so unpredictable, but around noon, a light rain began to fall. We drove through the drizzle to the Equator Monument, located about 20 kilometers away. It is said to be one of only two such monuments in the world, with the other in Malaysia. This monument, built in 1979, features a square-shaped pillar at each corner, with a spherical globe resting on top. Though only about 30 meters tall, it stands in a large plaza surrounded by newly developed attractions.
The area now includes a commercial street, cultural exhibits, and even a unique chocolate museum, transforming the entire site into a vibrant equatorial-themed tourist zone. Next to the monument, there’s also a private Museum of the Path of the Sun, with an entry fee of $5. The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, beyond just showcasing local customs. Visitors can participate in activities that let them experience equatorial phenomena, such as feeling the changes in air pressure, sensing the weightlessness near the equator, and observing how water behaves differently on either side of it.
The most entertaining part was the “balance the egg” challenge. It sounds simple—standing an egg upright—but it requires a surprising amount of skill, patience, and focus. Everyone eagerly joined in, only to be met with repeated failures. To my surprise—whether by luck or skill—I managed to get the egg to stand upright!
