Ancient civilization shines through in modern India
By Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2016-10-16 07:39:00
A panoramic view of the Amber Fort in Jaipur, India, on October 2, 2014.
Editor's Note:
India, an ancient yet modern country, can at times seem to the outside world to be wrapped in a veil of mystery. These photos look behind the veil, offering a glimpse at some of the most beautiful sites in India, revealing the nation's storied history and proud civilization. Photos: Courtesy of Cheng Meng

Visitors enjoy the view from the pavilion of the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, on October 3, 2014. The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, was originally built to allow the women of the royal household to observe street festivals without being seen by those on the outside.
A night view of Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur on October 5, 2014. Built from 1743-46, the luxury hotel is famous for its unique location on the island of Jag Niwas in Lake Pichola. It was used as a shooting location for the James Bond film Octopussy in 1983.
An autumn scene outside the Monsoon Palace in Udaipur, India, on October 5, 2014. The impressive white structure, also known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, was constructed in 1884 under the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singh during the Mewar Dynasty (1874–84).
A view of Kumbalgarh Fort in Udaipur on October 6, 2014. The fort was built during the 15th century, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the ‘Hill Forts of Rajasthan’ in 2013.
A flock of birds flies over a historic bell tower in the center of Jodhpur, India, on October 7, 2014.
A panoramic view of the city of Jodhpur on October 8, 2014. Jodhpur is a popular destination with tourists, who flock to see the city's many palaces, forts and temples, as well as the trademark blue houses in the old town that have earned it the title of the ‘Blue City.’
A view from the foot of the Agra Fort, India, on October 11, 2014. This red castle was built as an imperial residence during the Mughal Dynasty (1526-1857), and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.