The most unique sights in the world. The most famous landmarks in the world. Taj Mahal, India
The world has a huge number of places and attractions that you want to visit. All of them are something special and attract the attention of thousands of tourists every year. When planning your next trip, take a look at this list and maybe visiting one of these amazing places will leave you with a lasting impression.
1)
A large sinkhole located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll within the Belize Barrier Reef. The diameter of this natural wonder is 305 meters, and it goes 120 meters deep. The blue hole annually attracts a huge number of divers from all over the world.
2) "Wave" in Arizona, USA
In the state of Arizona in the USA, there are rocks covered with intricate layered patterns that give this place an ethereal look. located close to major settlements, therefore, has gained great popularity among tourists.
These chocolate hills are located on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. In total, there are more than 1200 such hills covered with greenery in this area.
This place in the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan, nicknamed the Gate to Hell, was formed after unsuccessful drilling in search of gas. During drilling in 1971, all equipment, including the drilling rig, fell into the resulting crater, which was filled with gas. To avoid accidents and poisoning, it was decided to set fire to this gas, and since then, it has continued to burn for more than 40 years.
In the Chinese province of Hunan, they became the prototype for fantastic landscapes from the movie "Avatar". More than 3,000 sandy mountains rise to a height of up to 800 meters and are of great interest to tourists, especially after the success of Cameron's film.
One of the most accessible amazing places on the planet, many Russian tourists have already been there, since Pamukkale is located just a few hours from the popular Turkish resort - Antalya. Pamukkale, which means “Cotton Castle”, is a snow-white terrace filled with water from mineral springs. The water in these terraces is believed to have healing properties.
7) Antelope Canyon, USA
Antelope Canyon is located in the southwestern United States, 240 kilometers from. Wind and water for many thousands of years have done a great job, which resulted in this amazing canyon of reddish-red flowers.
Do you know that the most active volcano is in Antarctica? Erebus Volcano (Ice Towers of Mount Erebus) was discovered on January 28, 1841 by an English expedition led by polar explorer Sir James Clark Ross on the ships Erebus and Terror. The height of this volcano is 3794 meters, which makes it one of the most high points Antarctica. Inside the volcano is a large lava lake.
9) Kasha-Katuwe-Tent Rocks Monument, USA
This national monument is located in the state of New Mexico, 60 kilometers from the city of Santa Fe and was formed due to the deposition of volcanic rocks.
10) Ischigualasto Natural Park, Argentina
This park, which is also called The Valley of the Moon, is located in the province of San Juan in Argentina. Not the most popular place among tourists, as it is located far from the main tourist routes, but this is where NASA tested its rovers. The landscape of this place looks alien.
11) Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
Salt Lake (Salar de Uyuni) in Bolivia is located near Lake Titicaca - this is one of the most amazing and photogenic places on our planet. Everything in this area is saturated with salt, it is everywhere, but the most amazing sight happens when it rains and everything is covered with a thin layer of water, the ideal surface of which turns into a mirror.
12) Landscape Danxia (Danxia Landform), China
It may seem that this incredible landscape is just the result of the work of Photoshop, but this is a real geological feature, formed due to the overlay of sandstone and other mineral rocks. This natural site is located in the Chinese province of Gansu. In 2010, the Danxia Landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
13) Crystal Cave of the Giants, Mexico
This cave with the largest crystals in the world was found recently in 2000 near the city of Chihuahua in Mexico. These giants are up to 15 meters long and 1.5 meters wide and are composed of zinc-silver-lead salts. The cave has a special climate (almost 60 degrees Celsius and 100% humidity), in which a person cannot spend more than 5-10 minutes.
14) Dry Valleys, Antarctica
The dry valley is the territory of three oasis valleys (Victoria, Wright, Taylor) in Antarctica to the west of McMurdo Sound. Hurricane winds, lack of precipitation, low temperatures created a unique climate in this place. Rare lakes have long turned into ice wells, in which, according to some scientists, unknown microorganisms live.
15) Socotra Island, Yemen
Socotra is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 4 islands, located off the coast of Somalia. These islands have preserved unique plant and animal life, many of which can only be found here. The symbol of the archipelago is the endemic dragon tree.
16)Giants Causeway, Ireland
More than 40,000 basalt columns form a path that leads to the foot of the volcano, thanks to the eruption of which these amazing columns arose. The Trail of the Giants is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.
17) Kliluk Lake, the Spotted Lake, Canada
The local native Indians consider this lake to be sacred. The water of this lake has bright colors, as it is saturated with sodium sulfates, calcium, magnesium and other minerals. In the hot season, the water in the lake dries up and many small puddles form, which have different colors, depending on which element of the periodic table prevails in them.
18) Pulpit or Preikestolen, Norway
Preikestolen Rock - a favorite place for photographers and just tourists, is a huge rock-cliff with a flat area of 25 by 25 meters. The height of the cliff is 604 meters and from its top there is a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. Preikestolen Rock is one of Norway's most popular attractions.
19) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes are the main attraction of Croatia. There are 16 large and several small lakes, about 20 mysterious caves and 120 waterfalls. In this place you can find many species of plants and animals that are unique and found only in the Plitvice Lakes region, so they are strictly protected by UNESCO.
20) Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia, or the "Land of Beautiful Horses" is a unique place located in the Göreme Valley in Turkey. Cappadocia is almost a whole world that is hidden in caves of volcanic origin, there are houses, monasteries, unique multi-tiered underground cities and much more, all this appeared before our era. This unique place is rightfully popular with tourists coming to Turkey.
21) national park Yellowstone, USA
Yellowstone National Park is a unique natural park known throughout the world. The most famous and most visited national park in the United States. Yellowstone is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This park is located on the territory of three states at once: Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yellowstone is famous for its unique geological objects: geysers, geothermal springs and the largest dormant volcano of the entire continent - Caldera.
22) Tunnel of love in the city of Klevan, Ukraine
This tunnel of trees envelops the railway tracks that pass near the city of Klevan. Because of its amazing beauty and romance, this place is called the Tunnel of Love. In summer, when the tunnel is in its prime, newlyweds like to come here, taking a photo against its background is considered a good sign.
23) Corinth Canal, Greece
It is impossible to believe that this channel was created by human hands. The construction of the Corinth Canal began under the emperor Nero in 67 BC, and ended only in 1893. This unique human creation connects the Saronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea and the Corinthian Gulf of the Ionian Sea. The depth of the Corinth Canal is 8 meters and the width is 24 meters.
One of the most beautiful places in Chile is Lake Lago General Carrera, which houses the Marble Caves. This unique natural cave consists entirely of multi-colored marble (pink and blue), there are more than 5,000 million tons of it.
25) Village of Monsanto, Portugal
This small Portuguese town is built among huge stone boulders, many of which serve as homes for local residents. The town of Monsanto almost entirely consists of one-story buildings, which are separated by narrow streets, getting here, you can feel like in the Middle Ages.
The views of this icy canyon in Greenland are mesmerizing, its deep blue waters are mesmerizing and you can get lost in the many artfully crafted ice arches. This canyon is the largest on the island, and its waters are home to bowhead whales, seals and walruses.
27) Skaftafell, Iceland
Skaftafell Park is Iceland's natural wonder, containing the ice caves of Jökulsarlon.
28) Multnomah Falls, USA
29) Seljalandfoss waterfall, Iceland
This temple carved into the rocks truly deserves the title of one of the wonders of the world. The construction of this city began before our era, and at present it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
32) The town of Riomaggiore, Italy
A small town in Italy, in which houses are piled on the rocks right at the edge of the sea. In Riomaggiore, driving is prohibited.
33) Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand
Every year a festival is held in Thailand, the unchanging tradition of which is the launch of sky lanterns. This amazing sight, when thousands of luminous lights rise into the sky at the same time, is simply mesmerizing. If you are in Thailand in November, do not miss this festival.
34) Mount Roraima, Venezuela
The height of Mount Roraima is 2723 meters, and the summit plateau has an area of 35 square kilometers. Reports of an expedition to the mountain region inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write The Lost World.
35) Etretat, Normandy, France
Impossible to list everything in one place interesting places planets, because each place is unique in its own way and deserves attention, but we tried to gather a lot of interesting places that you should pay attention to when setting off on your next trip.
In this regard, naive questions often arise from the category "Which country is better?", "Which has the most attractions." Naturally, no one will give a clear answer to this question, because everything is relative. Attractions are not only exclusively touristic, but also known only local residents who are in love with their city and see it from a special angle.
Accounting for important objects of cultural, historical and natural heritage is maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). By making a list world heritage UNESCO is trying to promote and guarantee the preservation of sites of natural, cultural or mixed nature. The highest concentration of attractions due to their proximity in Europe. Most of these interesting places are concentrated in the cradle of Western civilization - in. Many World Heritage Sites are preserved and, which is not strange, over the centuries these two cultures have mixed and influenced each other, and the significance of each of them is undeniable. Not all attractions made the list, many more will be included, and many will never make it, which is why they will not become less valuable. Italy is immediately followed by , and . So if your mind craves cultural food, these countries are a must see for you.
On the other hand, statistics show that it is far from the UN that determines the best of the best. Most travelers in the world consider the country to visit number 1 France. France is the undisputed leader of world tourism, although trips there, as a rule, do not exceed several days in duration. Either a magnificent historical past with expansions and colonization, or the years of prosperity of the monarchs, but something definitely played a decisive role in turning this country into a tourist mecca.
The next place in terms of attendance after the tiny charming France is occupied by, which, due to their multinationality and many states, have concentrated a great many natural and man-made masterpieces on a vast territory. Following the States in this ranking is China, which is understandable. The ancient oriental culture of the most populous country on the planet is famous all over the world.
Although if we continue the chain of the “most-most” category outside of this rating, it is also worth mentioning that it is so diverse that even in a hundred trips you can not know it, tourism in which sometimes borders on madness - either in large cities, or hermit, in the midst of wild and stunning nature. Super-saturated leisure during your vacation will also be provided to you in Spain, famous for its festivities. Folk games and customs there are like nationwide flash mobs - wild, special and exciting.
Travel Company Group Travel sincerely wishes you success with the choice of the country for rest. Even given any recommendations, this choice will not be easy. And whatever your decision, we have a thousand and one ways to satisfy it.
Tourists annually: 9–10 million
Great Chinese Wall It sounds simple and powerful at the same time. 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 work of millions of slaves and prisoners of war, on whose backs to the tops of the most high cliffs granite blocks, stones and bricks were delivered.
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 were going 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 don't 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, "mysteriously" appeared in European museums (unsuccessful negotiations are still underway to return them to Greece).
8. Ephesus, Turkey
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, Turkey
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. Along the defensive fortification, 117 km long, there is a popular walking route Path National Trail.
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 prescriptions.
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 height in the 1200s AD. The temples, walls, frescoes and carvings of the city of Tulum (the original name is Zama, meaning “sunrise”) have withstood 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 the 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, Turkey
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, Turkey
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, Turkey
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. Reconstruction works of buildings in Gaochang, created in the image of the city of Xi'an, once largest cities of the world are 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
In this 2000 year old Mayan city, from the very high pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula there was a center for 46 sakbe or "white roads" connecting 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, Turkey
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 opens a dramatic picture of the last minutes of the life of the ancient Roman city, with its public baths, warehouses and living quarters, luxurious villas, hidden for many years under a 20-meter layer of volcanic rock.
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 Sveta. 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 remnants 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. different countries peace. 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.
✓Sravni.ru - online travel insurance, including for a visa.
✓Kiwitaxi.ru - international car transfer booking service. 70 countries and 400 airports.
Photo: 500px.com by Peter BABILOTTE
Even the most avid traveler will always be able to find unexplored places, countries and cultures, because our planet is so diverse. Rice terraces, waterfalls and clear ponds - we have collected for you 30 sights that everyone should see at least once!
1Pamukkale, Turkey
A natural site in the Turkish province of Denizli is 17 geothermal springs that look extraordinary! The dazzling white terraces are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. And besides, they are open for swimming.
Photo: hermosatoursturkey.com 2
Rice terraces, China
The most famous rice terraces in China, Longji Rice Terraces, are called "Dragon Ridge" due to their unusual shape. They are located near the Guilin district and rise above the sea by 300-1100 meters. This place gets its most spectacular view in the spring, when the blue sky and the sun are reflected in the water.
Photo: mybirdie.ca 3
Temples of Bagan, Myanmar
The ancient city of Bagan in the state of Myanmar today is an archaeological area with pagodas, temples and monasteries. The most famous and beautiful of them are the Buddhist temple of Damyanji and Ananda. Once you see this ancient city, you will remember it forever.
Photo: hotels-myanmar.com 4
Monasteries of Meteora, Greece
The largest complex of monasteries in Greece impresses primarily with its location: it is located on the tops of cliffs reaching a height of 600 meters. The monasteries are a unique attraction, because they were built in 950-970, when there were no roads, no equipment, and all materials were lifted onto the rocks by hand.
Photo: lovethesepics.com
Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
A dry lake in the south of the Altiplano desert plain is the largest salt marsh in the world. The mirror surface of Uyuni reflects the clouds, which creates an incredible sight!
Photo: hofmag.com 6
Hitachi National Park, Japan
In the park of the Japanese city of Hitachinaka, you can admire the beauty of nature at any time of the year, because there are plants that bloom every season.
Photo: yokotatravel.com 7
Ad Deir and Al Khazneh, Jordan
Temples in the city of Petra in Jordan are unique sights. Back in the 1st century AD. they were completely carved out of the rocks.
Photo: owegoo.com 8
Machu Picchu, Peru
"City among the clouds" is considered one of the most mysterious sights in the world, located on top mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is believed that the city was created as a sacred mountain shelter by the Inca ruler Pachacutec. 1200 people lived in it, and all of them mysteriously disappeared from the city in the middle of the 16th century.
Photo: julianrestaurant.com 9
Cave in Algarve, Portugal
Situated on a beach in the Portuguese region of Algarve, this cave creates an amazing view with its perforated vault. Especially when the rays of the sun pass through them.
Photo: 500px.com by IURII BURIAK 10
Lencois Maranhensis National Park in Brazil
A national park in the Brazilian state of Maranhao is known for its sand dunes. It takes on a particularly charming look during the rainy season, when lagoons form between the dunes.
Photo: aheadcomunicazione.it 11
Moraine Lake, Canada
Glacial Lake is located in Banff National Park at an altitude of 1885 meters. It is completely filled only from the middle to the end of June, being fed by a glacier. At this time, the rocky bottom of the lake creates an amazing reflection on the surface.
Photo: wallpaperfolder.com 12
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
In the Vietnamese province of Quang Binh is the largest cave in the world - Shondong. It is assumed that its total volume is 38.5 million square meters. There is a river flowing in the cave, and there are also grass and trees.
Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn 13
Tulip fields, Netherlands
Flower fields in the Netherlands occupy vast territories, which is why they look so fabulous. The largest number of tulips bloom from early April to mid-May - it is at this time that you can see an incredible riot of colors!
Photo: kartunlucu.com 14
Mount Roraima, South America
Table Mountain Roraima is located at the junction of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Its main feature is that a large cloud constantly hovers over the mountain.
Photo: feel-planet.com 15
Cave of Crystals, Mexico
At a depth of 300 meters under the city of Naica in Mexico is a cave of crystals. The largest crystal found here reached a height of 11 meters and had a width of 4 meters. You can stay inside the cave for no longer than 20 minutes, since the temperature in it can rise to 60 degrees.
Photo: tourism-spot.com 16
Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia, China
In the Chinese province of Gansu, the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is located, the main attraction of which is colored rocks. Formed by deposits of sandstone and other minerals, they reach a height of several hundred meters.
Photo: travelwithkally.blogspot.com 17
Sea of stars, Maldives
Thanks to the bioluminescence of millions of living organisms, beaches on Maldivian island Vaadu seems to be covered with stars. The sight is simply incredible!
Photo: thousandwonders.net 18
Antelope Canyon, USA
Located in northern Arizona, this canyon gets its name from its incredible antelope-like coloration. A special magic to this place is added by sunlight breaking through the rocks.
Photo: planetden.com 19
Fingal's Cave, UK
The rock-cut cave is located on the Scottish island of Staffa. Its walls are vertical basalt columns up to 20 meters high. For boats, the entrance to the cave is too narrow, so you can get into it only on foot along the edge above the water.
Photo: ml.southlive.in 20
Bamboo forest, Japan
Amazing beauty The Sagano Bamboo Forest is a natural landmark located near Kyoto. It is a picturesque alley of tall trees that look very impressive.
Photo: bonappetour.com 21
Spotted Lake, Canada
The Spotted Lake body of water near the town of Osoyoos is also called Kliuk. Its water is saturated with various minerals and has the highest concentration of magnesium sulfate in the world. Due to this, in the summer, during evaporation, spots of various shapes and colors form on the surface of the lake.
Photo: ppcorn.com 22
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
One of the most famous tourist sites in Argentina is the Perito Moreno Glacier, located in national park Los Glaciares. It has an area of 250 square kilometers.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org 23
Iguazu Falls, South America
The complex of 270 waterfalls is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are the most visited attraction in South America, with up to 2 million visitors annually.
Photo: tedytravel.com 24
Giants Road, Northern Ireland
An amazing attraction was formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption near Bushmills in Northern Ireland.
Photo: iexplore.com 25
Flathead Lake, USA
The largest lake in the United States is located west of the Mississippi River and is known for its incredibly clear water. Despite the fact that at first glance it seems shallow, in some places the depth of Flathead Lake reaches 113 meters.
Photo: tumblr.com 26
Pongour Falls, Vietnam
The waterfall in the vicinity of the city of Dalat reaches a height of 40 meters and has a width of 100 meters. It is considered one of the main attractions of Vietnam - and no wonder, because its beauty is amazing!
Photo: reddit.com 27
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The world's largest coral reef stretches for 2.5 thousand kilometers along the northeast coast of Australia. It is the world's largest natural object formed from living organisms. Moreover, it can be seen from space.
Photo: alterra.cc
Guijiang River, China
The river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is one of the most scenic in China. Clear water and the surrounding nature create a simply amazing atmosphere!
Photo: toonts.com 29
Monolith Devils Tower, USA
The natural monument Devils Tower is located in the state of Wyoming and is a monolith of volcanic origin 386 meters high. It is believed that its age is from 195 to 225 million years.
Photo: npca.org 30
Troll tongue, Norway
A stone ledge on the Skjeggedal rock, near the Norwegian city of Odda, has a similar name due to its unusual shape: it looks like a big tongue. But in fact, this is a fallen piece of rock, horizontally frozen on its edge.
Photo: earthtrekkers.com