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Wonders of the world


WHEN IT COMES TO naming the world’s greatest hits, seven seems like an awfully small number. Especially considering only one of the seven original, ancient wonders is still standing — the Great Pyramid of Giza. In 2007, a Swiss foundation put it to the public to nominate a new crop of modern wonders, seizing the long overdue opportunity to recognize some of the most iconic sites on the planet today. Millions voted, declaring the following wonders worthier than the rest — unsurprisingly, all seven are UNESCO World Heritage sites. From South America’s most famous citadel to the former stomping grounds of Rome’sfiercest gladiators, these are the historic, iconic, and immensely photogenic new Seven Wonders of the World.

1. Taj Mahal, India

The Taj Mahal is a labor of love. Emperor Shah Jahan built it in honor of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who bore 14 children but died in labor. Jahan was lost without her, and in 1631, he began construction on what is probably the world’s most elaborate and expensive mausoleum (though the tomb itself is unadorned per Muslim law). Construction required a rumored some 20,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants, who hauled marble from all over the region. The Taj is famously symmetrical, which is part of why it’s so beautiful to look at and photograph. It you go, go for sunrise before it gets overwhelmed with visitors.
To see the white-marble masterpiece in person, head to Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh, about 125 miles southeast of New Delhi. You can get there by train, bus, or car via the Yamuna Expressway. The Taj Mahal is open every day except Friday from just before sunrise to just before sunset. Tickets are $15 for foreign tourists, plus an extra $3 for the main mausoleum. Visitors can go inside provided they remove their shoes or wear the shoe covers available on site.

2. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer,Portuguese Cristo Redentor, colossal statue of Jesus Christ at the summit of Mount Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Celebrated in traditional and popular songs, Corcovado towers over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s principal port city. The statue of Christ the Redeemer was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet (30 metres) tall, its horizontally outstretched arms spanning 92 feet (28 metres). The statue has become emblematic of both the city of Rio de Janeiro and the whole nation of Brazil.

The statue, made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, sits on a square stone pedestal base about 26 feet (8 metres) high, which itself is situated on a deck atop the mountain’s summit. The statue is the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world.

In the 1850s the Vincentian priest Pedro Maria Boss suggested placing a Christian monument on Mount Corcovado to honour Isabel, princess regent of Brazil and the daughter of Emperor Pedro II, although the project was never approved. In 1921 the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro proposed that a statue of Christ be built on the 2,310-foot (704-metre) summit, which, because of its commanding height, would make it visible from anywhere in Rio. Citizens petitioned Pres. Epitácio Pessoa to allow the construction of the statue on Mount Corcovado.

3.Colosseum Rome

This beauty was commissioned in Romearound 70 AD. The massive amphitheater has over 80 entrances and seating for at least 50,000 people. Spectators would come to watch gladiators battle, animals fight or be hunted, and much more. While some parts of the Colosseum have crumbled — from earthquakes, looters, vandals, or fire — it’s still a gorgeous sight, even despite the throngs of tourists.

The Colosseum is open from 8:30 AM to an hour before sunset every day. Standard admission is about $13 and allows access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Tickets can be purchased on site, but there’s a good chance the line will be unbearably long. Consider buying a Roma Pass from a tourist office for free entry to your first two stops in the city, discounts on visits to subsequent attractions, and free transportation. Passholders can make a reservation at the Colosseum for a $2 fee and skip the line altogether.

4.Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive sites in Peru — and on the planet. Built 7,000 feet above sea level, the ancient citadel dates back to the height of the Incan Empire in the 15th century. It’s estimated that only about 750 people lived here as it was a royal estate rather than a proper city. In the native tongue, Quechua, the name means “Old Peak,” but the excellently constructed site wears its age gracefully and is impressively maintained.
Machu Picchu is open year-round with summer being peak season. To get there, take a train from Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can hike or take a bus to the entrance. Some dedicated, and athletic, travelers opt to hike the Inca Trail all the way from Cusco, arriving at Machu Picchu four to six days later. Try to get there early for sunrise or stick around as the sun prepares to set — you’ll have to leave before the sun goes down, but you’ll enjoy a quieter visit later on. Tickets cost $45 for foreign tourists with additional fees to access Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or the site’s museum. Read up on the new regulations for 2019.

5.Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Found in the Yucatán state, Chichén Itzá is a massive Mayan city that was once a powerhouse in the area. Its heyday was from around 600 AD to 1200 AD, and its name translates to “at the mouth at the well of Itza.” As to what Itza is, it’s believed to refer to an ethnic group or translate to “enchanter of the waters.” The name makes sense either way as the Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its underwater rivers and open freshwater sinkholes, called cenotes. Water was integral to life here — and likely a factor in the city’s success before its eventual, mysterious decline.

6. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall is something of a misnomer. The wall is not actually continuous but many walls built at different times and for different reasons; many were joined together, but gaps still exist. Some parts of the wall feel newer and almost pristine — these were built during the Ming Dynasty when the Ming were at war with Mongolians around the 1300s. The older walls date back as far as 700 BC, and these sections show their age today. Still, the Great Wall weaves and winds over the hills where China borders Mongolia, measuring about 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) and crossing nine provinces.

7.Petra, Jordan

Petra comes from the ancient Greek “Petros,” meaning “rock,” which is a boring name for a very not boring place. Petra is in the south of Jordan between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, a few hours’ drive from the capital city, Amman, and it’s believed to have been established around 300 BC.

To access it, you have to walk about 15 minutes through a narrow canyon called the Siq. Exiting the narrow passage, you’re greeted by one of the greatest sights on Earth: the Treasury. Carved into the rock face, it’s enormous and overwhelming, and the sandstone is a kaleidoscope of pinks, oranges, and reds. The colors turn bolder and bolder at sunset, setting the city on fire — not just the Treasury but the whole city, which was forgotten until a Swiss explorer rediscovered it in 1812.

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