Having spent 2 freezing nights in inhospitable altiplano, Alonzo de Mendoza continued his way and further he came across the depression Chuquiago. There were a lot of rivers there, not so cold and windy and there was a very beautiful view to the high mountain Illimani (6.5 thousand meters). Besides, there were villages of aymara Indians, who pastured llamas on the green meadows. Captain liked the new valley much more than in Laja, and he, without a moment's hesitation, «refounded» the city La Paz at the foot of Illimani, where it stands till present.

Probably, if captain Alonzo did not have a second thought, then now La Paz would have been on altiplano, and the satellite city El Bajo would be in the valley.

The town Laja is also famous for its ancient church at the main square. It comes into a traditional «visual set» of picture spread on Bolivia.

In 1545, 3 years prior to arrival of captain Alonzo, conquistadors started to built a church for their needs. More than a hundred years later, in 1860, the church was rebuilt and given the traits of the Renaissance architecture that could be seen even now. On the both sides of the entrance on facade there appeared columns with 4 reliefs – of monkeys and double-headed eagles. Eagles embodied a colonial symbol, monkeys – a thousand years old culture of the Andes. Such an architectural mongrel. The church might have been reconstructed even later, as on one of the flat bell towers there is a stone inscription «1903».

The last piece of advice: when you begin travelling on altiplano, you must use a wide-brimmed hat and sun glasses. The sun is mercilessly scorching. If you don't follow the advice, burnt skin and running eyes are guaranteed one hour later.