Many still remember from school the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It complies before our era by Byzantine Philo and all objects located in the territories known to ancient people.
Of the seven miracles, only one has survived to this day – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Now you can visit new wonders of the world, which have to destroy by an unforgiving time.
1. Petra, Jordan
The columns on the façade of the Al-Khazneh treasure are not only the most photographed place in Jordan. The ancient city can see in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the general atmosphere of the site takes you thousands of years into the past.
Once upon a time, 30 thousand people lived in the “pink city” carved into the rocks. Now it is visited by thousands of tourists every day. Among the monumental structures of Petra, music festivals and photo sessions hold. By area, the city is three times the size of Manhattan Island, so that a detailed inspection will take a full day or even several.
You can walk around Petra’s territory, or you can use the services of residents and ride a donkey or camel. A good guide will be able to tell a lot about the most impressive temples. However, there are many audio guides on the internet for those who want to enjoy Petra alone.
2. Taj Mahal, India
The mausoleum, built by an Indian nobleman for his beloved, is the most famous landmark in India and a magnet for thousands of tourists. The Taj is worth visiting during a visit to the country; fortunately, you can get to Agra from India’s capital – New Delhi – in an hour and a half.
It is best to arrive at the Taj Mahal at dawn. Then there are fewer tourists, and the scorching Indian sun does not burn to ashes. The white building of the mausoleum and the two mosques on either side look especially impressive in sunrise and sunset light. It is better to take a photo against the background of Taj from afar, but to look at the delicate carvings on the walls, on which 20,000 stonemasons have worked, close up.
If you are not in Agra with a package tour for the sake of just the Taj Mahal, then pay attention to its other attractions – the Red Fort, Baby Taj, and at least a couple of tombs of the Mughal dynasty.
3. Chichen Itza, Mexico
On the tops of which the Mayan priests brought bloody sacrifices to the sun, the legendary pyramids have perfectly preserved to this day. The iconic landmark of pre-Columbian America – the city of Yucatan – is no less impressive than the Egyptian Giza.
Be sure to climb the top of the Pyramid of El Castillo or Kukulcan, climbing 91 steps along the way. So you can appreciate the full scale of the temple complex that served two Mesoamerican civilizations – the Maya and the Toltecs. Traditionally, the most spectacular photos of the Chichen Itza pyramids take at sunset.
4. Colosseum, Italy
The most famous building of the Eternal City needs no introduction. The gladiatorial arena, which gave the Romans the sheer spectacle they craved as much as their bread, is becoming a peaceful battleground for the most original backdrop.
Based on metrics from the Italian Ministry of Tourism, about 6 million people visit the Colosseum in Rome annually. It was 120 times more than the number of spectators seated in the stands during the time of the Roman emperors. And they all strive to touch the ancient stones, take the best position for instant photos, fight off souvenir merchants and cabbies offering to ride in a carriage.
Yes, the modern Colosseum is no less noisy and crowded than thousands of years ago. To walk here relatively calmly, come early in the morning and on a weekday.
5. Great Wall, China
The monumental defensive structure could not overcome the hordes of Mongols, and the magician Copperfield was able to pass through. The wall’s total length is 20,000 kilometers, but now only 4,000 kilometers have been restored, and only a couple of hundred meters are accessible to tourists. However, this is enough to feel the scale of the wall.
The Great Wall of China runs close to Beijing to visit it as part of a day trip. It would help if you did not do this during Chinese holidays; otherwise, you risk not noticing the ancient stones behind local tourists’ crowds.
6. Machu Picchu, Peru
The Inca’s hidden city so well hid from prying eyes that fit disappeared for several hundred years, the decline of the civilization that created it; only at the beginning of the last century, an American explorer named Bingham found the former residence of Emperor Pachacuti, and a century later Machu Picchu became the most popular tourist attraction in Peru.
The ancient city itself impresses travelers, but no less impressive is the road to it from Cusco. You have several options here. Fast – a train with panoramic windows through which you can admire the dense Peruvian jungle. Slow – a two-day trek on foot, during which you will pass through several less famous ancient cities than Machu Picchu.
Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil
Christ spread out his arms rises on top of the Corcovado mountain on Rio de Janeiro’s outskirts. The statue immediately after its construction became a symbol of Brazil; it build ten years, and not to visit its foot is just a crime.
The path to Christ lies through the Tijuca National Park, and the stairs to the statue have 200 steps. The ascent will not be easy, be sure to stock up on water. Or use an electric train’s services, the rails for which were laid to the top of the mountain long before the statue build. The observation deck at the base of the sculpture offers stunning views of the bay and the iconic Ipanema Beach, celebrated in popular culture.
New wonders of the world are surprising and impressive. Perhaps they are somewhat inferior to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but they can be seen, photographed, and even touched.
