From the impressive Burj Khalifa to the stunning Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the famous travel site TripAdvisor has compiled a list of popular attractions around the world according to tourists.
The most famous landmarks in the world
Going on a trip to various countries, tourists think in advance about the itinerary and what sights are worth visiting.
Below in the article will be a list of attractions that are the most popular, according to TripAdvisor.
The navigable Panama Canal is located in the state of Panama. It consists of two lakes that were created by man, and locks.
The Petronas Towers are located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. 
The symbol of Australia - the opera house in the city of Sydney 
The ancient city of the Mayan tribe is located on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. 
The oldest temple of Wat Pho. To see it, you need to go to Thailand to the city of Bangkok 
Memorial complexes and ancient temples
Complex in New York (USA) - National Memorial dedicated to the victims of a series of terrorist attacks committed on September 11 
Khalifa Tower, or Burj Khalifa (skyscraper) in Dubai, UAE 
The Lincoln Memorial is located in Washington D.C. 
The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section, from where magnificent mountain scenery opens 
Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. It was built in the Middle Ages, it was called Prague. 
Suspension Bridge Golden Gate, California 
Hagia Sophia (currently a museum), Istanbul, Türkiye 
Alhambra Palace, Granada, Southern Spain. Today it is a museum of Islamic art 
Notre Dame Cathedral in France. Catholic church in Paris 
Church of the Savior on Blood in the northern capital of Russia - the city of St. Petersburg 
Who has not dreamed of flying to France and admiring the beauties of Paris from the Eiffel Tower 
prison island
Alcatraz Island in California. Currently a museum, but there were times when this island served as a prison for dangerous criminals. It was impossible to escape from there. 
Milan Cathedral in Italy 
St. Peter's Catholic Cathedral is located in the Vatican 
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE 
Taj Mahal in India - mosque-mausoleum 
Machu Picchu city in modern Peru 
Angkorvoat is the largest temple complex in Cambodia. 
Brazil is famous for its aromatic coffee, football and the statue of Christ the Redeemer towering over Rio de Janeiro 
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain 
Where to go first is up to you.
“Well, here we are. Well, let's take a dip. Well, let's have a cocktail. So, what is next? What do we do?" Familiar? If yes - congratulations, you belong to the same type of people who can not sit still. Well, if, besides, limp reclining in deck chairs inspires you as little as strong-willed surfing, then you are completely one of their small, but elite class of aesthetes, greedy for art and architecture.
Admit it, you simply cannot look at Dali's creations without trembling in your knees, the Acropolis brings you into a state close to prayerful ecstasy, and the streets of old Prague almost drive you crazy. Congratulations, you are an "excursion-oriented, ordinary tourist."
The whole point of sightseeing tourism lies in the fact that it quietly coexists with a beach holiday, and with a ski holiday, as, indeed, with any other. One does not exclude the other, rather, it complements.
However, there are also entire tours dedicated to sightseeing of cities and capitals, antiquities and natural wonders of all five continents. Such trips are usually chosen by individuals who are married to art or simply greedy for it in a good way, and people who want to see the world on vacation, and not just a couple of paradise, but completely identical atolls.
But, in order to be as honest with yourself as possible, it is still necessary to say that a “naked” excursion will not give you much pleasure - only a messy cocktail of porticoes and rotundas, dozens of museum halls and thousand-year-old ruins will remain in your head.
When choosing a program, do not chase the number of attractions - in the end, go on a trip again. Choose a moderate pace - richly sprinkle excursions with rest, and get the most vivid and fresh impressions.
Leisure destinations
Classic: Europe. The main impact of the excursion element usually falls on Mother Europe with its Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other ancient medieval joys. Tours in Europe, which, as you know, are not so great, often cover more than one country. Sometimes tours include visiting world-famous attractions - such as, for example, Versailles in France, the Colosseum in Italy, the Acropolis in Greece. Sometimes excursions are conducted exclusively to little-known places, sometimes highly specialized tours are organized, for example, in baroque architecture or in temple construction.
ancient civilizations. The second number in the popularity rating are countries that grew up on the ruins of ancient civilizations - Egypt, India, China, Chile, Peru, Mexico. Obviously, such tours take second place not in terms of tourist interest, but in terms of remoteness, expressed not so much in geographical terms as in terms of money. Ancient civilizations that have monuments that take us not even centuries, but millennia, are surprisingly mysterious and therefore alluring. The further into the dust of time - the more secrets, to which, as you know, no one can remain indifferent.
Exotics and ecology. Ancient civilizations are followed by countries with exotic landscapes and landscapes - the Australian Great Barrier Reef, the lakes of the USA, the waterfalls of Nigeria, the fantastic nature of the Galapagos. All this is really unusual. Amazing. Almost unrealistic.
Way of life. Next come countries with an unusual way of life - that is, any place on the planet whose existence is different from our multi-story panel existence. Tunisian Berbers living in caves, Arab countries with their unconditional and bewitching adherence to the laws of the Koran, Japanese culture and the culture of the American Indians. For a civilized person, which, obviously, is the whole excursion-amateur tribe, such differences cause only admiration - at least from an understanding of how diverse the life of people on this planet can be.
Excursion Russia. Well, native Russia closes the top five directions-leaders. The expanses of our country are huge: 9 climatic zones and the same number of time zones, mountain ranges, hills, full-flowing rivers, dozens and hundreds of natural wonders - Avacha Bay, Kungur Ice Cave, Krasnoyarsk Pillars, Uzon Caldera ... it is perhaps impossible to list everything. And then, there is also the magnificent architecture of our cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, the luxury of folk crafts - Suzdal, Semenov, Gus-Khrustalny. Russia is inexhaustible, great and magnificent, besides, in comparison with all of the above, it is quite budgetary.
The sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural objects of history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered across various centers of dead and now existing civilizations on planet Earth.
We have selected 30 of the best, which every tourist should definitely see.
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, has become the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. Spas-on-Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with an unusual history that has given rise to many legends and conjectures. Many of them are connected with the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, I. Grinevitsky, a Narodnaya Volya member, mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
If you look at the Google map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden at all, but red) is called the gate. The main local attraction, as it were, “lets in” the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay, connecting the city with Marin County. This grandiose building was erected from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists rise to its foot, from where a breathtaking panorama of the city and the bay opens with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, a huge bowl of the Maracanã stadium.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located on the territory of modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the "city in the sky" or "the city in the clouds", sometimes called the "lost city of the Incas". Some archaeologists believe that this city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded the territory of the Inca empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Giza pyramids are the oldest and largest pyramids in the world, but the main thing is that the pyramid of Cheops is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. And without a doubt, the Giza pyramids deservedly take first place in the Top 10 attractions in the world. These pyramids are built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian kings, these royal tombs reflect the strength and richness of Egypt's ancient civilization.
More popular than any other landmark in the world, the Great Pyramids of Giza are located on the west side of the Nile, near the capital of Egypt, Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest, it was built as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian king Khufu (Cheops). It has a height of 137 meters, which means that the pyramid of Cheops was the tallest building on Earth for several millennia, until the towers of the Cologne Cathedral were completed in 1880, and consists of 2,300,000 blocks, some of which weigh up to 200 tons.
The second pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre, the son of King Khufu. It was erected in 2592 BC, the third pyramid at Giza was built for Menkaure, the son of King Khafre.
Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, Beijing, China
In no other section of the Great Wall of China has restoration work been carried out as well as in the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a real architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu is translated from Chinese as "a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields." Among all sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.
Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
According to the annals, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main rival and opponent of Florence, “called on their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So between 1215 and 1263, the Duomo of Siena was founded on the site of the old temple according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of Siena.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.
Dubrovnik old town, Croatia
In 1979, UNESCO added the Old City of Dubrovnik to the World Heritage List, including a large part of the city's ancient walls. They surround the city on four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. These defensive stone walls have protected their citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.
Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The "highlight" of Bayon is the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from a height on the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and in the heyday of the state - on the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers have survived.
Alhambra, Spain
The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name comes from the "red flame of torches" that illuminated the long-term construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.
Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy
The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nashente (Duomo), the pearl of Italian Gothic, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can safely be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers rise above the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many parts of the city.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the highest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptural images of mythical and real animals: golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, Shwedagon Pagoda became in the XV century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the giant temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed with gold from top to bottom.
Colosseum, Rome
This is the largest amphitheater in the world during the Roman Empire. It is also the most popular tourist and iconic symbol of Rome. The Colosseum was built in 70 AD. emperor Vespasian. It was used for gladiator fights and social events. Gladiator fights took place in the Colosseum before 435 AD. It can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.
Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington DC
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple, made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president, seated in an armchair. Its height is 5.79 meters.
Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site where an important battle of the United States Civil War took place in 1863.
Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico
The name of the ancient settlement Teotiukan is translated from the Aztec language as "the city where people become gods." According to legend, after the Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. This is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.
Mesquita, Cordoba, Spain
Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by the Visigothic church, and in 785 Mesquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated with the hajj to Mecca, which is obligatory for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian church.
Ancient City of Petra, Petra / Wadi Musa, Jordan
In the heart of Jordan, in the valley of Wadi Musa, deep in the sandy mountains, is the amazing city of ancient Petra. Initially, Petra was a temporary home for the nomadic tribes of the Nabataeans. From several fortified rocky caves, it gradually grew into a large fortress city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow gorge of the Siq, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who welcome guests to their land.
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy
The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can see ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, defend the mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.
Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye
The largest and best-preserved ancient city on the Aegean coast and the second largest after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androclus, the son of the ruler of Athens Codras, who, on the advice of the oracle, arrived in these places to lay the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, beloved of Androclus.
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a panoramic view of the monument opens.
Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India
Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and revered temples in India, is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gilding, which is why it is also known as the "Golden Temple". The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water in which is considered to be healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although initially Antonio Gaudi had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work, he led this project. Gaudí built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.
Sydney Opera House, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Australia, located on the banks of Sydney Harbour. This theater hosts more than 1,500 productions every year and is considered one of the busiest centers for the arts in the world. It is estimated that over 7 million people visit this amazing Sydney tourist attraction.
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever built, with a history of almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal building is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.
Big Ben, England
The vast majority of tourists clearly associate Big Ben with England and is rightfully considered the country's main tourist attraction. Few people know that in fact Big Ben is not a separate attraction, but part of the Palace of Westminster in London. Big Ben has the world's largest chimes and is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is named after Benjamin Hall, one of the architects of this clock tower, which was built between 1848 and 1853.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
This is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the capital of France, Paris. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer in charge of designing and building it. The tower is over 300 meters high and weighs over 10,000 tons and was completed in 1889. for him; s construction. At 324 meters, the tower weighs 10,100 tons and was opened in 1889. For the next 41 years, it remained the tallest building in the world.
Statue of Liberty, New York, USA
The Statue of Liberty is recognized as the main attraction of the United States, it is a symbol of Liberty, why millions of migrants from Europe aspired to the country of great opportunities. A colossal sculpture located 3 kilometers from Manhattan in New York. The statue actually represents the Roman goddess of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the United States.
It was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and is a gift from the United States for the World's Fair on October 28, 1876. About 4 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every year. The height of this amazing sculpture is 93 meters, from the ground to the tips of the torch.
If you are still thinking about where to spend your next vacation, to make it interesting, informative and "relaxing", we offer you a list of the most beautiful world attractions. That's the solution to the problem, at least for the next 15 holidays.
A brief overview of the sights of the world with names and photos
In the last article we talked about and now we want to talk about the sights. This diverse list intertwines cultural, historical and natural monuments known throughout the world. New wonders of the world instead of ancient monuments that have sunk into oblivion are worth paying due attention to each of them.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The "Disappeared City of the Incas" at an unrealistic height of 2500 meters is a truly mysterious and awe-inspiring place. The city was founded by the great ruler of the Incas Pachacutec in 1440. History claims that it was a sacred place of the Inca civilization, and after a hundred years, all the inhabitants mysteriously disappeared. No one knows the reasons why the inhabitants abandoned their homes, and where they themselves have gone. A reliable fact is only the invasion of the Spaniards into the territory of the Incas in 1532. But in Machu Picchu, the colonists did not find a single person, despite the flourishing infrastructure and residential buildings.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, UAE
The best sights of the world, the photo of which does not convey the grandeur of the buildings, includes the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the capital of the Emirates. The incredible snow-white building occupies a huge area, abounds in wealth and lets everyone into its mansions, regardless of faith or disbelief. The floor of the mosque is covered with white patterned marble, the walls are inlaid with gold, and the minarets pierce the sky with needle-sharp golden spiers. The design of the mosque revealingly illustrates the untold wealth of the Emirates themselves and the state's love for luxury.
Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Of interest is not so much the temple itself, but its unique stone towers, silently looking from their height at the whole city and its environs. And looking - in the most direct sense. On the stone sculptures are carved faces that modern sculptors would envy. Surrounded by ubiquitous faces, you involuntarily experience admiration and awe at the same time. Initially, there were 54 columns, and only 37 have survived to this day.
Ancient city of Petra, Jordan
Among the endless sandy mountains in the Wadi Musa valley, the majestic city of Petra is lost, the architecture of which amazes the imagination with its monumentality and eternity. It is enough to visit a unique city to understand that these very, very sights of the world deserve the respectable right to be on the list of the best. The fortress grew out of several shallow caves in the rocks, which were used by the ancient nomadic tribes as a temporary habitat. Petra is well preserved because there was and is only one entrance to the city - through a deep narrow gorge, where one cannot pass unnoticed. However, today guests are greeted not by the arrows and stones of the enemy, but by the hospitality of the Bedouins living on the territory of Petra.
Great Wall of China, China
The grandiose visiting card of China is traditionally included in the famous sights of the world and is the longest defensive structure. Its length is about 8 thousand kilometers, and according to some sources - all 10 thousand. It continuously crosses the entire territory of China and falls into the ocean. Why and how such a huge wall was erected is still a mystery. It is most interesting to admire its greatness at the Mu Tian Yu site, which is the most well restored and open to the public.
Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal temple complex is one of the modern wonders of the world. Its fascinating history is covered with myriads of romantic legends and tales, and the beauty of the building defies words. The most magnificent sights of the world (photo with names) fade against the backdrop of the breathtaking grandeur of the Taj Mahal. The complex is personified with eternal boundless love, it was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically passed away during a difficult birth.
Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Alhambra literally means "Red Castle". The muted red color of the sun-dried clay, from which the castle walls are built, fully justifies this name. According to another version, the castle was called red even during its construction, which was carried out around the clock. At night, the site was illuminated by the lights of thousands of "red torches", the reflections of which gave the structure a mystical red hue. - the most majestic Moorish building in Spain, telling about the times of the invaders and colonizers more clearly than any historical manual.
Milan Cathedral Duomo, Italy
Dozens of sharp gothic spiers pierce the endless Milanese sky in the main city square. The Duomo Cathedral is the best example of Gothic in Italy, the construction of which was carried out over 4 centuries, starting from the end of the XIV. The spiers of the cathedral are not only the most beautiful sights in the world, but also one of the largest on the planet. Their height is more than 100 meters, and the highest one is crowned with a golden statue of the Madonna, which is clearly visible from many parts of Milan. As a guardian angel, she protects the townspeople from evil and misfortune.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Another great example of Gothic architecture is in Barcelona by the great creator Antonio Gaudi. The construction of the temple is still underway, although the author himself has long been dead. There is a belief that when the Sagrada Familia is built, the end of the world will come. Perhaps that is why the workers are actually in no hurry to complete the project. And the official version of the long-term construction is that the construction is carried out exclusively at the expense of the parishioners.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA
At the time of completion in 1937, the Golden Gate was the largest suspension bridge on earth, which automatically records it as one of the main attractions of the world. Why is the bridge called a gate? The answer can be obtained by looking at the Golden Gate from above (or from an interactive map). The bridge is the Pacific Ocean's gateway to the calm waters of San Francisco Bay. By the way, “golden” is also not just a beautiful epithet. When the sun's rays fall on the red structure of the bridge at a certain angle, it really shimmers with gold - a truly amazing sight, especially in the shroud of clouds or fog that quite often covers San Francisco.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
The remains of the former greatness of the mighty Mayan civilization are best revealed to us in the form of pyramids and temples of Chichen Itza - an ancient settlement with a rich history and an immense amount of secrets. The reasons for the oblivion of such a powerful colossus still concern the minds of world historians, therefore Chichen Itza is very popular and takes a well-deserved place in the TOP attractions of the world. The main monument of the Mayan era - the temple of Kukulkan, is a stepped pyramid 24 meters high. Judging by this and other settlement designs, the Maya were excellent mathematicians, engineers, and astronomers.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The majestic monument of Christ with open arms blesses the Brazilian capital from a height of 800 meters. This grandiose building is ahead in popularity and gives odds to many attractions around the world. Several million tourists from all over the world come to the foot of the statue every year to admire the breathtaking view of the city and the picturesque bay.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
The stream of water falling from a height of more than 800 meters is already felt from afar as splashes on the skin. And its noise can be heard from a great distance. Angel Falls, hidden from prying eyes in the jungles of Venezuela, was discovered quite recently, in 1935, the road to it is so impregnable and difficult. Angel's waters fall from the height of Mount Tepui, which in local dialect means Devil's Mountain. A very appropriate name for a sheer rock formation in the heart of the hot South American tropics.
Opera House, Sydney, Australia
Snow-white lotus petals or shells in panoramic photographs of Sydney cannot be confused with anything else. The most popular attractions in the world, including takes pride of place, attract attention with one of their appearance. Travelers going to Australia should definitely include this building in their travel itinerary, because it is a symbol not only of Sydney, but of the whole country, although it appeared relatively recently.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Luxurious inverted begging bowl, every inch of which is sheathed in gold, is the largest pagoda in the country. Its territory occupies about 5 hectares, shining with luxury, wealth and Buddhist wisdom. Here you can meet griffons and lions, dragons and elephants that adorn and protect the Shwedagon. From just the sight of the spiritual abode of Myanmar comes enlightenment and harmony in the soul and body.
So you got acquainted with the most magnificent world monuments. This brief description of the sights of the world will not reveal all their sparkling facets, but will help you decide on the choice of a place for your next exciting vacation. Travel and explore the world in all its diversity and beauty!
Tourists annually: 9–10 million
The Great Wall of China sounds simple yet powerful. The 8851.9 km long structure stretches across China, and its most impressive section, Badaling, is located 75 km from Beijing. Most of the wall has survived to this day, although it was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and the beginning of the construction of individual sections dates back to 770 BC. Such a large-scale construction was possible thanks to the labor of millions of slaves and prisoners of war, on whose backs granite blocks, stones and bricks were delivered to the tops of the highest cliffs.
2. Colosseum, Rome
Tourists annually: 6.9 million
After construction was completed in 80 AD, the arena of the Colosseum accommodated 50 thousand spectators who gathered to watch various theatrical performances (mythological dramas), reenactments of land and sea battles, as well as executions and gladiator fights. In 2010, underground floors were opened for tourists, where gladiators were waiting for their exit to a deadly duel. From the upper floors of the Colosseum, a picturesque panorama of the Eternal City opens up.
3. Roman Forum, Rome
Tourists annually: 5.1 million
The Roman Forum remained the civic center of the city for 1200 years, from the fifth century BC. On this square were commercial buildings and the main government institutions of Rome. The ruins of temples, columns and ancient frescoes take us back two thousand years and remind us of the former greatness of the city.
4. Terracotta Army, Xi'an, China
Tourists annually: 3.6–4.5 million
The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974. This sculptural composition consists of more than 8 thousand statues of warriors made of clay in full size: generals, infantry, cavalry, archers, chariots, more than 400 horses. Each with unique facial features, hair, clothing elements, which makes the sculptures even more convincing. The statues are buried together with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, becoming part of the majestic acropolis. It is assumed that some of the warriors have not yet been excavated, since the excavations were stopped until a way was invented to protect the paints with which the statues were painted from fading in the open air.
5. Pyramids at Giza, Egypt
Tourists annually: 4 million
Created 4.5 thousand years ago, the pyramids are still considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of Egypt. We still do not know exactly how the ancient Egyptians were able to build them, which adds to the intrigue and even more attraction for tourists. Three huge sarcophagi for the pharaohs are located 25 kilometers from the center of Cairo - a city with 11 million inhabitants.
6. Pompeii, Italy
Tourists annually: 2.5 million
Visiting Pompeii, walking along its ancient stone streets, you can imagine how people lived in the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. Coastal city in 79 AD was completely covered with ash and pumice during a sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. People, animals, houses were imprinted under a layer of ash, creating a kind of frozen cast of the life of the ancient city.
7. Acropolis, Athens
Tourists annually: 2 million
The Acropolis is located on one of the hills of Athens and is crowned on top with the Parthenon - a temple to the goddess Athena, a kind of symbol of classical Greece and the origins of democracy. Built in the 5th century BC, the Parthenon has lost most of its decoration, and the marble sculptures that adorned it appeared in European museums in a “mysterious” way (unsuccessful negotiations are still underway to return them to Greece).
8. Ephesus, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 2 million
Literally 30 years ago, Ephesus was almost completely abandoned Roman ruins in a sparsely populated region of Turkey. But now, thanks to this attraction, the local economy has begun to develop dramatically. The ancient library and other buildings were restored, recreating the atmosphere of a big city from the beginning of our era, and theatrical performances based on ancient dramas are held in the amphitheater with a capacity of 25 thousand seats.
9. Teotihuacan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.9 million
Pyramid-shaped terraces, dedicated to the Sun and the Moon, towered over the ancient square of the sacred city, built in the period from the first to the seventh century AD. With a base of more than 200 meters and a height of 64.5 meters, the Pyramid of the Sun is considered the third largest pyramid in the world. At the same time, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl) has a brighter decorative finish: with unique sculptures and bas-reliefs.
10. Hieropolis, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 1.6 million
The dazzling white terraces of Pamukkale's hot spring pools have attracted people's attention to these places for more than two thousand years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ancient Greco-Roman city, Hieropolis, was built here. Extruded from travertine in 190 BC, this "resort town" has ruins of temples, a well-preserved amphitheater and a Sacred Pool where you can swim among the ancient Roman columns.
11. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.4 million
The stepped terraces of the pyramid of Kukulkan, called by the Spaniards El Castillo or the Castle, rise above the ancient city, surrounded by tropical jungle. The Maya began building the city in the seventh century AD, and then, three centuries later, it was captured by the Toltec tribes. A huge balustrade with a feathered head of a snake - the deity Kukulkan, borders the stairs leading to the top of the pyramid.
12. Ellora, India
Tourists annually: 1.2 million
34 temples, monasteries in honor of the Buddha and Hindu gods, and numerous caves were carved into the basalt rock between 600 and 1000 AD. Buildings made of solid stone and the passages between them are decorated with thousands of different intricate bas-reliefs and sculptures.
13. Hadrian's Wall, England
Tourists annually: 1.2 million
When the Roman army failed to defeat the "barbarians" in northern Britain, Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD. ordered the construction of a stone wall a little south of the modern border between England and Scotland, which has survived to this day. Today, Hadrian's Wall has become a source of pride among the "barbarian" Scots, praising their invincible spirit. The popular Path National Trail runs along the 117 km defensive fortification.
14. Roman Baths, Bath, England
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
The Celts were the first to declare these springs sacred and dedicated them to their goddess Sulis. Then, in 43 AD, the Romans came and renamed Sulis to their goddess Minerva and built a resort town with the Latin name Aquae Sulis, with baths and a temple to Sulis-Minerve. Later, the city was renamed Bath (from the English. Bath - bath), and in the 18th century, public buildings were built in the neoclassical style.
15. Longmen, China
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
A complex of Buddhist cave temples from the 5th to 9th centuries, with many statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva carved into 1,350 caves and 750 niches, is located along the limestone bank of the Yihe River. Some of the statues, of which there are more than 110 thousand, are over 7 meters high. One of the caves even displays numerous medical recipes.
16. Stonehenge, England
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
The meaning of the mysterious megaliths, put in a circle more than 6 thousand years ago, people interpret as they wish. Perhaps they had some astronomical significance or were part of druidic rituals. Now it's a place of pilgrimage for neo-pagans, feminists (linking Stonehenge to matriarchy times), aliens and science fiction fans. Especially many people visit this attraction, located 100 kilometers from London, on the day of the summer solstice.
17. Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico
Tourists annually: 1.1 million
This famous Mayan city, walled on the north, west and south and facing the Caribbean Sea on the east, reached its might in the 1200s AD. The temples, walls, frescoes and carvings of the city of Tulum (the original name is Zama, meaning “sunrise”) have resisted the salty sea wind, hurricanes for centuries and have lost most of the features inherent in other Mayan ruins. However, Tulum is popular with tourists due to its affordable and convenient location.
18. Machu Picchu, Peru
Tourists annually: 1 million
To get to Machu Picchu, you can take train tickets or go on foot, as the ancient Incas did, along a path leading to a 2450-meter mountain range overlooking the Urubamba River. Many people dream of visiting Machu Picchu, because this city looks older than it actually is; its construction began relatively recently - around 1400 AD. So many people come here that it is being considered to limit the number of visitors to 2,500 people a day, or 912,500 a year.
19. Canyon de Chey, Arizona
Tourists annually: 828.1 thousand
Native Americans have lived around Red Rock Canyon for more than 5,000 years, and 800 years ago they built their homes on the bottom of the rocks. The protected area of Canyon de Chey is located within the reservation of the Navajo Indian people, so you can visit the monument only with a guide from this tribe. The exception is the White House Ruins tourist track. The name of the canyon comes from its Native American name Tséyi', which means "canyon"; they pronounced the word "say-ee," but it sounded like "de-she."
20. Angkor Wat, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Tourists annually: 804.7 thousand
The original temple of Angkor Wat, built between the 9th and 15th century AD. during the formation of the Khmer Empire, was dedicated to various Hindu gods. Despite the fact that Angkor Wat eventually became a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, the architecture of the temple still reflects the significant Indian heritage of those times.
21. Masada, Masada National Park, Israel
Tourists annually: 786 thousand
At the end of the first century BC. King of Judea Herod I the Great built a luxurious three-level palace on top of a mountain plateau stretching over the desert at an altitude of 400 meters. Roman mosaics, wall paintings, reservoirs for collecting water, baths and military barracks, due to the dry climate and the sufficient remoteness of the fortress, are quite well preserved. The story is known that this fortress remained the last stronghold for survivors after the Great Jewish Revolt, which took place in 66 AD, and only five years later the Roman legionaries managed to capture the defenders.
22. Mogao Grottoes (Cave of a Thousand Buddhas), Dunhuang, China
Tourists annually: 750 thousand
At the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, Buddhist monks carved 492 caves and more than 2,000 sculptures decorated with clay and paint from stone. For thousands of years (from 6 to 16 centuries ago), monks created frescoes on 45 thousand m² of the walls of these caves, striking both in their scale and beauty. The frescoes reflect paintings about Buddhism, local history and the daily life of the inhabitants of the region.
23. Knossos, Crete, Greece
Tourists annually: 705.3 thousand
There is an opinion that the ruins of this Minoan city, built during the Bronze Age, are the lost Atlantis, information about which has come down to us from the descriptions of Plato. It is assumed that Knossos was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini, which occurred around 1500 BC. The only thing that has survived and managed to be restored is the so-called Palace of Minos, where frescoes with images of dolphins, fish, griffins and people of that era have been preserved.
24. Petra, Jordan
Tourists annually: 629.8 thousand
The ancient city was created by the Arab people of the Nabataeans. Temples and monuments skillfully carved from stone, the majestic Temple-mausoleum of El-Khazneh and more than 500 tombs were created along the narrow gorge. A thousand years ago, this once prosperous city was located at the crossroads of trade routes that brought frankincense, spices and silk; thanks to this, the cultural influence of other ancient civilizations is noticeable here: the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Egyptians and Phoenicians.
25. Montezuma Castle, Arizona
Tourists annually: 573.7 thousand
The name of this place can be misleading: after all, this building is not a castle at all and has nothing to do with the Aztecs and their ruler. The building, consisting of 20 cave rooms in a sheer cliff at a height of 20 meters, was created by the Pueblo Indians (Anasazi culture) 800 years ago. Small T-shaped entrance openings kept heat in the dwelling and protected from the wind. This is one of the best preserved ancient rock settlements of the American Indians.
26. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Tourists annually: 572.3 thousand
The rock dwellings of the Anasazi Indians (ancestors of modern pueblos) were built of sandstone cemented with mud mortar between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, becoming one of the largest and best preserved ancient settlements in North America. On the walls plastered in red, brown and white, there were images of people, animals, handprints and various geometric patterns. Perhaps the colors had some generic meaning.
27. Mira (St. Nicholas Church), Antalya, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 544.8 thousand
Lycian tombs with square pillars, looking like houses, were carved into limestone rocks in the 4th century BC. They rise above a well-preserved Roman amphitheater with a double vaulted corridor. However, this ancient city is now better known for its restored 9th-11th century church named after the local saint who did good to people, St. Nicholas (now better known as Santa Claus).
28. Pergamon (Bergama), Izmir, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 536 thousand
Izmir is now the closest major city to Pergamum, an ancient Hellenic cultural center with an acropolis rising 250 meters above the valley, marble temples to Athena and Troyan, a Greek amphitheater and a library with 200,000 manuscripts found in it. In the 2nd century AD. in this valley, Galen, one of the most famous doctors of antiquity, opened the largest medical center, based at the temple of Asklepion.
29. Troy, Canakkale, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 515.9 thousand
Troy was immortalized in Homer's Iliad, which tells of a misfortune that happened to the city around 1183 BC. Until the 19th century, the location of Troy was unknown. Now tourists come here to see the 10-meter Trojan horse with windows and preserved sections of the city walls, reminiscent of the heroic fate of Troy.
30. Delphi, Greece
Tourists annually: 500 thousand
The site of the construction of majestic temples, created among the mountains in the Neolithic period 6 thousand years ago, was considered by the ancient Greeks as the center or “navel” of the whole world. A temple to Apollo, Athena and other gods was erected here, as well as stone terraces and rest houses for parishioners. The famous Oracle reached its greatest influence between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.
31. Gaochang, Xinjiang, China
Tourists annually: 500 thousand
An oasis city located on the Silk Road between the Fire Mountains and the Takla Makan Desert, from the 1st century BC. until the 14th century was the Western Chinese cultural, economic and political center. Work on the reconstruction of buildings in Gaochang, created in the image of the city of Xi'an, once the largest city in the world, is still ongoing.
32. Ajanta, India
Tourists annually: 416 thousand
Using only hammers and chisels, it took Buddhist monks from 15 to 21 centuries to create 30 caves - each with separate interiors and holes that overlooked the gorge and the river. The monasteries are decorated with paintings and stone statues of Buddha and bodhisattvas. Samples of magnificent works of art reveal the way of life of Indians in those distant times.
33. Coba, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tourists annually: 400.6 thousand
This 2,000-year-old Mayan city with the tallest pyramid in the Yucatán Peninsula was the center for 46 sacbes or "white roads" that connected different parts of the mesostate, built of rubble, pebbles and limestone. Koba is surrounded by five dips filled with water (cenotes) and impenetrable tropical jungle.
34. Perge (Perga), Antalya, Türkiye
Tourists annually: 399.8 thousand
The ruins of Perge now surround the fields and countryside near Antalya, but two thousand years ago there was a flourishing Roman city here. Alexander the Great passed through these places with his army, then the Romans came and built baths, fountains, a 60-meter agora (a market square in ancient policies), an amphitheater for 12 thousand spectators and a boulevard with a colonnade. This place is also known for its unusual stone gate towers, built with a combination of Greek and Roman styles, and for the fact that the Apostle Paul preached here.
35. Herculaneum, Italy
Tourists annually: 320.5 thousand
This town, covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, is even better preserved than nearby Pompeii. Here a dramatic picture of the last minutes of the life of the ancient Roman city opens up, with its public baths, storage and living quarters, luxurious villas, hidden for many years under a 20-meter layer of volcanic rock.
