Deemed 'the Sultan of the Andes,' Riobamba is a traditional, old-fashioned city that both bores and delights travelers. It's sover yet handsome, with wide avenues and random mismatched shops tucked into imposing 18th- and 19th-century stone buildings. It lies at the heart of an extensive scenic road network and is the starting point for the spectacular train ride down the Nariz del Diablo. Thanks to Riobamba's location nearby Chimborazo, the country's highest peak, the city is home to some of the country's best climbing operators.