While dozens of architectural feats and natural phenomenon have made it onto lists of world wonders, not all exist today. The ones that do exist, however, often grab and hold the attention of tourists from around the world.
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The fact that many of these man-made and natural wonders still exist in any form makes each one special in its own right. Years ago, a travel writer by the name of Howard Hillman compiled a list of the most popular world wonders visited by travelers. Here are the 10 sites he chose to include.
10. Giza Pyramid Complex
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The complex of monuments found just outside of Cairo, Egypt is more commonly referred to as the Giza Necropolis. Within this collection of monuments you will find the Great Pyramid of Giza – the only one of the original “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” that still stands today. The complex includes the Pyramid of Khufu, the Phyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure – amongst many others.
9. Great Wall of China
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The Great Wall of China is a series of walls spanning across the northern border of China. Originally designed to protect the border from attacks throughout the course of history, various sections of the wall have been built and rebuilt over time. Originally believed to span only 4,000 miles, more recent studies have shown that the wall is actually closer to 5,500 miles in length.
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8. Taj Mahal
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The Taj Mahal is not a mosque, but a mausoleum, and stands in Agra, India. The mausoleum was originally built by Emperor Shah Jahan in order to honor Mumtaz Mahal – his favorite wife. Construction at the Taj Mahal was not completed until 1653 and the Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles combined represent the incredible diversity of Mughal architecture.
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7. Machu Picchu
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Located in Peru’s Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian site traced back to the Inca. It is believed the Incas began construction during 1430 AD but was only used by Inca rulers for the next hundred years. Afterward it was simply abandoned and was not officially rediscovered until 1911, although historic documents show that the site may have been found as early as 1847.
6. Bali
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The Indonesian island of Bali is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands situated between Lombok and Java. The island of Bali is known for being the home of most of the Hindu population of Indonesia. Bali is a particularly popular tourist destination and is incredibly well known for it’s cultural attractions, including dance, artwork, and music.
5. Angkor Wat
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The Angkor Wat temple complex was built during the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II. The complex was used as the capital city of Cambodia for many years and even after it was abandoned remained a significant religious site. The historic complex is cherished by Cambodians, who have included an image of the temples on their national flag.
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4. Forbidden City
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The Forbidden City is one of the most visited attractions in Beijing, China. Built during the early 1400’s, the complex currently houses a series of 980 buildings on more than 7.8 million square feet of land. The Forbidden City is still the center of the Chinese government, though many of the buildings are now under the control of the Palace Museum. Visitors to the Forbidden City have the opportunity to explore not only a huge part of Beijing’s history, but a collection of artwork collected throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties as well.
3. Bagan Temples & Pagodas
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The city of Bagan, found in Burma, was once the epicenter of an ancient civilization. Sadly, many of the beautiful temples and pagodas here are in desperate need of repair, but the Burmese military refuses to let UNESCO name Bagan as a World Heritage Site. As a result, many of the temples and pagodas in this stunning collection have received repairs using materials that bear no resemblance to the original architectural designs.
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2. Karnak Temple
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The Karnak Temple Complex can be found near Luxor, Egypt and is made up of a series of chapels, temples, and buildings that are believed to have been built sometime after 16th century BC. The Karnak complex tells the story of the development of Thebes, although it is believed that the complex did not become an important part of history until sometime after the Eleventh Dynasty.
1. Teotihuacan
In the Basin of Mexico you’ll find a collection of pyramid-style structures known as Teotihuacan. The archaeological site is believed to have been built during the pre-Columbian era and consists of not only residential complexes but murals, and pyramids as well. While historians have not been able to identify Teotihuacan as a major epicenter for a specific empire, they have been able to determine that it was one of the largest cities to exist at the time – housing over 100,000 individuals at its zenith.
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Each of these wonders is spectacular in its own right. More important – each one still exists today. There’s no excuse for missing out on some of the greatest historic sites the world has to offer. Include one of these sites on your next vacation itinerary and you’ll quickly realize just how special each really is!
Wow some really amazing pictures, especially the second one of Angkor Wat and Teotihuacan. And to think that I have only see the ones in Egypt. So much to see and so little time.