The original Seven Wonders of the World date back to B.C. era. Original ancient wonders included the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. Today, the only ancient world wonder still in existence is the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Luckily, the list has been updated with new wonders you can see in your lifetime. Conquer them all at once or plan your next holiday away from Australia with the help of an Australian travel guide.
- The Taj Mahal – India
The Taj Mahal stands as one of the top architectural achievements to come out of the Mughal empire. The building is the prime example of perfect balance and symmetry which marks the style of the Mughals. The best time of year to see this amazing piece of work is from November to February. Any other months you risk rain or extreme heat. Be sure to wake up early and catch the sunrise. Not only is this a sight to behold, you’ll also be able to avoid the late-morning crowds.
- The Colosseum – Italy
There are all sorts of architectural creations that date back to the Roman Empire, but the Colosseum is one of the most notable, even though only a third of the original structure is still standing. The arena was used for more than four centuries. At its peak the Colosseum was used for hunting shows, gladiator fighting, and even public executions. After the Roman Empire fell, the building was temporarily used as housing.
- The Great Wall – China
The Great Wall of China has been a Chinese national symbol since 220 B.C. The wall took nearly 1800 years to build and it stands as a stark contrast against the natural terrain that surrounds it. While some portions of the wall have fallen apart over the years, the most reserved section is located from southeastern Liaoning Province to northwestern Gansu Province. This portion of the wall was built during 1368-1644 and was meticulously maintained by the Ming dynasty.
- Chichén Itzá – Mexico
The Mayans were quite an amazing civilization and Chichén Itzá stands as a testament. Chichén Itzá was originally a Maya city that was eventually accepted by the Maya-Toltec civilization. The city was a booming city until A.D. 1200 but was abandoned soon after. Chichén Itzá is home to religious temples as well as buildings that show the civilizations advanced understanding of science, especially astronomy. Notable structures include:
- The Temple of Kukulkán
- The Pyramid of Kukulcan EL Castillo
- Observatory El Caracol.
- Temple of the Warriors
- Temple of the Jaguar
During your trip to Cancun, don’t think twice about visiting Chichén Itzá if you want a true taste of the history of the area.
- Machu Picchu – Peru
Another amazing civilization that left ruins for future generations to enjoy are the Incas. Machu Picchu is located along the Andes Mountains and is thought to have been built as a retreat for emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. The settlement was used between the mid-15th century through mid-16th century but was abandoned after. Machu Picchu wasn’t discovered until 1911. Today the government has limited the time allowed at the site to preserve the area as much as possible.
- Christ the Redeemer – Brazil
The Christ the Redeemer statue took five years to build and more than $100,000. This stands as the most recent addition to the list of Seven Wonders. The statue, which is 125 feet tall, weighs more than 1,145 tons and is the largest Art Deco sculpture on Earth. What’s even more amazing is that the statue is made up of 6 million stone tiles.
The statue is built atop a high mountain which has made it vulnerable to natural damage from weather and lightning.
- Petra – Jordan
The city of Petra dates back all the way to 4th century B.C. and is a notable creation of the Nabataean kingdom. The city took more than 400 years to build and during its time was ideally placed along the most important spice and silk trade routes. While the city was conquered by the Roman Empire in A.D. 106, it’s withstood the test of time. Because of ever-growing violence in the Middle East, tourism to Petra has dropped so if you take this trip, practice caution and safety.
Conclusion
There are thousands of sights to see throughout the world. You will be occupied for hours while traveling with the amount of sights and actives there are to experience. These 7 wonders have most impressed by travelers. Not only do these sights give you an insight into the past, they are truly like nothing that exists anywhere else in the world.
