Miscellaneous Notes on Traveling to England (11) Travel to Wales

2:21pm, 4 August 2025

The full name of the United Kingdom is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including four parts: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Among them, Wales (Wales, Welsh: Cymru) is located in the southwest of the Great British Isle, bordering England in the east, St. George's Strait in the west, Bristol Strait in the south, and Irish Sea in the north. The land area is 20,779 square kilometers and the population is about 3.09 million. The current Prince of Wales, or Prince Charles of England, has no actual political power. The capital Cardiff is also Wales' largest city.

The history of Wales is older than that of England. In 1000 BC, the Celtics came here from the central European continent. In 1066 AD, William I, Duke of Normandy, conquered England, established the Normandy dynasty, and subdued the princes of Welsh. As a result, the princes of Welsh were vassalized by the King of England for a long time. After that, disputes between the two sides continued. In 1536, Wales and England signed the Act of Union, and Wales has since officially integrated with England. However, the Welsh people always have a strong sense of self-identity, and they always have their own language and even their own national flag. In 1997, Wales also passed a national referendum to establish its own parliament, which has the power to make decisions on issues such as employment, health, education and the environment.

Compared with the prosperity and urbanization of England, Wales seems to be more simple and rural in terms of natural scenery, customs and culture. It has unpolluted natural beauty and ever-changing geographical landscapes, and the beauty of the native land is everywhere. There are three national parks in the territory, including the Snowdonia National Park, located in the north, including England and Wales' highest peak. Wales also has hundreds of castles, including Caernarfon and Conwy, which have been listed as World Cultural Heritage Sites. The majestic city walls and deep underground secret passages have become the cradle of mythological stories such as princesses, wizards and flying dragons.