From the 16th to 19th centuries the riverside town of Hoi An attracted silk, spice and porcelain merchants from as far as Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe. Hoi An still retains many remnants of its trading days and its Old Quarter has been beautifully preserved. 850 magnificent old structures still line the streets and the old tile-roofed shop houses, shady pagodas and colorful communal halls have earned the town the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The beautiful surrounding countryside and unspoilt beaches also imbue the whole area with a very restful, rustic charm.