Gao

Gao is the capital of the Gao Region in Mali. The city is located on the left bank of the Niger River, 320 kilometers (200 miles) east-southeast of Timbuktu, at the junction with the Tilemsi valley.

Gao's fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the centuries like a yoyo's ups and downs.The town was once the imperial heart of the great Songhai Empire, but it was later almost entirely abandoned in favor of the new capital at Timbuktu.Gao, on the other hand, clung to life in the midst of the dusty Sahel. Its tenacious residents kept their mud-brick, mat-built yurts standing, and life went on.

Gao, as one of the top tourist destinations in Mali, has a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy. Today, Gao is a great place to get a sense of Mali's earthy, ancient character, while craft markets, the acclaimed Sahel Museum, and 15th-century sepulchres like the Askia Tomb (yes, it's supposed to look like Egypt's pyramids!) add a slew of cultural draws to the mix.

• Best places to visit: Gao Mosque, Sahel Museum, Traditional markets, La Dune Rose,etc.
  
• Location: Gao Region, Mali