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Pinal Airpark

Note the chrysanthemum crests. — Hachiman Bridge

Clarendon War Memorial. — Clarendon War Memorial

This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous. — Gai Tord Jae Kee

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This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous. — Gai Tord Jae Kee

Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions. — Charmgang

The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth. — Gedhawa

At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for. — Nai Mong Hoi Thod

In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount. — Kor Panich

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Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog. — Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs

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For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life. — How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.

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Mali

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mali

8 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Mali

Updated November 1, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Mali

Great Mosque

Djenne, Mali

Great Mud Mosque of Djenné

The central mosque of this Mali town is entirely built from mud.

Bandiagara, Mali

Bandiagara Escarpment Cliff Dwellings

These homes carved into the mountains seem to defy the laws of nature.

The Timbuktu Manuscripts showing both mathematics and astronomy.

Timbuktu, Mali

Timbuktu Manuscripts

Ancient Manuscripts showcase the civilization of West Africans during the Middle Ages.

Tomb of Askia.

Gao, Mali

Tomb of Askia

The most important and best preserved remnant of West Africa's powerful Songhai Empire.

Timbuktu, Mali

Djingareyber Mosque

One of Western Africa's oldest mosques, this Timbuktu icon has stood for nearly 700 years.

A fisherman rejoices with his catch. (mattemondo/Flickr)

Koro, Mali

Antogo Fishing Frenzy

Annual rush for a sacred desert lake's fish stock.

Grand Mosque of Mopti

Mopti, Mali

Grand Mosque of Mopti

Every year, people come together to cover this mud-brick mosque with a fresh layer of earth.

The dried out Gaddafi Canal.

Gourma Rharous, Mali

Gaddafi Canal

Muammar Gaddafi's well-intentioned investment in his favorite city turned out to be a nightmare.

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Mali

Architecture 4

Sacred Spaces 4

Architectural Oddities 3

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Stories About Mali

An illuminated atlas depicts Mansa Musa, emperor of Mali from 1312 to 1337, widely known for his vast vast wealth in the form of gold deposits.

Medieval Africans Had a Unique Process for Purifying Gold With Glass

And scientists in Illinois have recreated it.

by Evan Nicole Brown

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