Beautiful names of attractions. Top attractions in the world that are worth visiting. Cinque Terre, Italy

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On different continents of our planet there are a huge number of objects worthy of visiting. Every year thousands of tourists go on trips to visit the places that seem most attractive to them. We bring to your attention a rating of the 25 most interesting places in the world, compiled by Travelers' Choice. Take a closer look at this list and perhaps your next trip will take place in one of these beautiful corners of the Earth.

1. Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, translated as "old peak" is the lost city of the Incas. The history of the city began in the 15th century, when defensive walls, palace and temple complexes, and about 200 different buildings and residential premises were built. The city, built from processed stone slabs, has many staircases and streets winding between the buildings, often leading to a dead end or to a terrace hanging over an abyss. According to research, Machu Picchu was built by Pachacutec, one of the Inca rulers, to create a sacred shelter for nobles, priests, astrologers, artists and sculptors. 1200 people lived in and around the city. At the top of the rock there is a polygonal stone "Intihuatana", which is the sacred place of the city. Now Machu Picchu is visited by about 2,000 tourists every day. And in 2007, Machu Picchu was included in the list of seven new wonders of the world.

2. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia, one of the most exotic countries on the planet, is home to the main symbol of Khmer culture - the Angkor Wat temple. Its value for the country is so great that the temple was depicted on the national flag. It is interesting that the 50-meter temple towers - pragni - were built without cement, and they were built from top to bottom. A 250-meter bridge leads to the temple territory, the railings of which are decorated with images of the Naga serpent. The Temple itself externally symbolizes the ancient Mount Meru. Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century, is a platform in the form of a three-stage pyramid, crowned by five towers made in the form of lotus buds. When approaching the temple, you get the feeling that it is “growing out of the ground,” this is due to the different heights of the terraces. Angkor Wat also has interior buildings that were forbidden to enter in ancient times.

3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is located in the Indian city of Agra and is a monument to love that inspires poets and writers to create their creations. There are many legends about the creation of this structure. According to one of them, before ascending the throne, the Mughal Shah Jahan fell in love with the beautiful poor girl Mumtaz Mahal and stopped paying attention to his concubines. Having married her, he took her on military campaigns and trusted her with his and state secrets. Having given birth to thirteen children to the Shah, Mumtaz died during the birth of the fourteenth. The Shah's grief was so great that he decided to build the most beautiful mausoleum on earth. The construction of the Taj Mahal took 22 years. The result was a magnificent palace with eleven domes and 2 side towers. After several suicides committed because of love, the passage to the minarets was closed to visitors. The Taj Mahal is the most visited place in India.

4. Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

One of the main attractions of Jordan is the ancient city of Petra. The city was founded by brave warriors and hardworking stonemasons - the Nabateans, who lived in these parts about 2 thousand years ago. The territory of Petra extends from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea. The name "Petra" was not given to the city by chance, since it is translated as "rock" and in reality is a city of stone, consisting of stone houses, ancient temples and mysterious crypts. A city like Petra did not exist during the Roman Empire. The central street of the ancient city, running from west to east, ends on one side with a triumphal arch and on the other with a huge temple. It is worth exploring the Treasury, surrounded by baths, crypts, mourning halls, temples and other buildings.

5. Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

In the ancient capital of Cambodia there is an unusual Bayon temple complex, built in honor of the ruler of the Khmer Empire Jayavarman VII in the 12-13 centuries. During the reign of Jayavarman, the Khmer Empire was the most powerful, which was reflected in the architecture - many grandiose structures were built, one of which was the Bayon temple complex. In front of the temple there is a four-meter wall with images of scenes from the battle of Jayavarman VII with the Chams. The entrance to Bayonne is guarded by huge stone lions with gaping mouths. Nearby is a statue of Buddha, which has been a place of worship for residents of Cambodia and neighboring countries for many years. On each tower of the temple complex there are four images of the god Avalokiteshvara, personifying compassion and mercy, so there are exactly two hundred of his faces here. After Jayavarman's death, no such structures were erected.

6. Mezquita (Cordoba Cathedral Mosque), Cordoba, Spain

In the Spanish city of Cordoba there is the Mezquita, a unique cathedral mosque that combines various architectural styles. Built in the 8th century, the mosque-cathedral was reconstructed several times by Christians in order to give it the appearance of a Christian temple. As a result, the mosque became the largest in the Islamic West and was so beautiful that Christians did not dare to destroy it and consecrated it as the Cathedral of the Ascension of Our Lady. Through the cathedral tower you can enter the magnificent Orange Court, created over several centuries. There are five bathing fountains in the courtyard. The interior of the mosque is decorated with marble panels and multi-colored mosaics. The prayer hall contains 850 columns made of granite, jasper and marble and sparkling with different colors.

7. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on the Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Spilled Blood (Savior on Spilled Blood) is one of the most famous Russian historical and memorial complexes. The cathedral was built in St. Petersburg in 1907 on the site of the assassination of Alexander II. From Nevsky Prospekt there is a picturesque view of the temple, located between Konyushennaya Square and the Field of Mars. The architecture of the cathedral is dominated by the main features of Russian churches of the 16th and 17th centuries, characteristic of Moscow, Yaroslavl and Rostov, in particular, St. Basil's Cathedral. The interiors of the temple are dominated by mosaics, a huge number of semi-precious and ornamental stones, as well as about 20 types of minerals. In addition, the temple is enhanced by an iconostasis made of pink and dark red marble, finishing made of porphyry, jasper, orlets, asp and other materials.

8. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is a Renaissance temple and is the main liturgical center of the Catholic Church. The cathedral building was built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the resting place of the Apostle Peter; his relics are still kept under the altar of the temple. The main feature of St. Peter's Basilica is its impressive size and rich interior decoration. On both sides of the main nave, in numerous chapels and niches, there are statues by Michelangelo and Bernini. A huge canopy is located in the very center of the cathedral, where the Pope sits during mass. In addition to the above, the cathedral contains a large number of relics of saints and other relics, as well as the burial places of several Popes and European monarchs.

9. Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia

The ancient Croatian city of Dubrovnik can be called a real pearl of the Adriatic and one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. Small houses with red tiled roofs, monasteries and churches, mansions and narrow cobbled streets - all surrounded by a medieval fortress wall. The walls of the Old Town were built between the 12th and 14th centuries and are among the most beautiful structures of their kind in Europe. The widest street, Stradun, practically repeats the location of the strait that once divided the city. Next to narrow residential buildings there are temples and palaces, as well as other architectural masterpieces. For example, the Great Onuphrius Fountain, created in the 15th century, previously served as a water pipeline, drinking water was supplied from a mountain spring via an aqueduct.

Travel site TripAdvisor has compiled a list of popular attractions around the world according to tourists, from the impressive Burj Khalifa to the stunning Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.

The most famous landmarks in the world

When going on a trip to various countries, tourists think in advance about the route and what attractions 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 man-made lakes and locks.

The Petronas Towers are located in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

The symbol of Australia is the Opera House in Sydney

An ancient Mayan city located on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula

The oldest temple is 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 the series of terrorist attacks committed on September 11

Khalifa Tower, or Burj Khalifa (skyscraper) in the city of Dubai, UAE

The President Lincoln Memorial is located in Washington DC.

The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section, offering magnificent mountain scenery

Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. It was built back in the Middle Ages and was called Prague.

Golden Gate Suspension Bridge, 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 Spilled Blood in the northern capital of Russia - the city of St. Petersburg

Who hasn't dreamed of flying to France and admiring the beauty 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

The Catholic Basilica of St. Peter is located in the Vatican

Grand Mosque named after Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Taj Mahal in India - mosque-mausoleum

The city of Machu Picchu in modern Peru

The largest temple complex, Angkorvoat, is located in Cambodia.

Brazil is famous for its aromatic coffee, football and the Christ the Redeemer statue towering over Rio de Janeiro.

Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, ​​Spain

Where to go first is up to you.

If you are still thinking about where to spend your next vacation so that it is interesting, educational and “relaxing”, we offer you a list of the most beautiful world attractions. Here is the solution to the problem, at least for the next 15 vacations.

A brief overview of the world's attractions with names and photos

In the last article we talked about and now we want to talk about the attractions. This diverse list intertwines cultural, historical and natural monuments known throughout the world. New wonders of the world to replace ancient monuments that have untimely sunk into oblivion are worth paying due attention to each of them.

Machu Picchu, Peru

“The Vanished City of the Incas” at an unreal altitude of 2500 meters is a truly mysterious and awe-inspiring place. The city was founded by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec in 1440. History claims that this 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 residents abandoned their homes, and where they themselves went. The only reliable fact is 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 thriving infrastructure and residential buildings.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE

Among the best sights in 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 structure occupies a huge area, abounds in wealth and welcomes everyone into its mansions, regardless of faith or unbelief. 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 illustratively illustrates the untold wealth of the Emirates themselves and the state’s love for luxury.

Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

What is of interest is not so much the temple itself, but its unique stone towers, silently looking down from their height onto the entire city and surrounding area. Moreover, they are watching - in the most literal sense. The stone sculptures are carved with faces that would be the envy of modern sculptors. Being surrounded by omnipresent faces, you involuntarily experience both admiration and awe. Initially there were 54 columns here, but only 37 have survived to this day.

Ancient city of Petra, Jordan

Lost among the endless sandy mountains in the Wadi Musa valley is the majestic city of Petra, whose architecture amazes 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 venerable right to be on the list of the best. The fortress grew out of several shallow caves in the rocks, which were used by 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 it is impossible to 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 landmark of China is traditionally one of the world's famous landmarks 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 still remains a mystery. The most interesting place to admire its grandeur is 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 in myriads of romantic legends and tales, and the beauty of the structure defies verbal description. The world's most magnificent sights (photos with titles) pale in comparison to 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 childbirth.

Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Literally translated, Alhambra 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 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 invaders and colonialists more clearly than any historical manual.

Milan 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 architecture in Italy, the construction of which took place over 4 centuries, starting from the end of the 14th century. The cathedral's spiers are not only the most beautiful landmarks in the world, but also some of the largest on the planet. Their height is more than 100 meters, and the tallest is crowned with a golden statue of the Madonna, which is clearly visible from many areas of Milan. Like a guardian angel, she protects the townspeople from evil and misfortune.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, ​​Spain

Another greatest example of Gothic architecture is in Barcelona by the great creator Antonio Gaudi. 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. This may be why the workers are actually in no hurry to complete the project. And the official version of the long-term construction is that construction is being carried out exclusively at the expense of parishioners.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA

At the time of completion in 1937, Golden Gate was the largest suspension bridge on earth, which automatically places it among the world's top attractions. 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 gateway for the Pacific Ocean 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 stunning 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 powerful Mayan civilization are best revealed to us in the form of the 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, which is why 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 is the Temple of Kukulcan, which is a stepped pyramid 24 meters high. Judging by this and other settlement structures, the Mayans were excellent mathematicians, engineers and astronomers.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The majestic Christ Monument blesses the Brazilian capital with open arms from a height of 800 meters. This grandiose structure is ahead in popularity and gives a head start 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 can already be 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 inaccessible and difficult. The waters of the Angel fall from the heights of Mount Tepuy, which translated from the 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 just their appearance. Travelers planning to visit Australia should definitely include this building in their trip itinerary, because it is a symbol not only of Sydney, but of the entire country, although it appeared relatively recently.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar

The luxurious inverted begging bowl, every inch of which is lined with 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 griffins and lions, dragons and elephants decorating and protecting Shwedagon. Just the sight of the spiritual abode of Myanmar brings about enlightenment and harmony in the soul and body.

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Tourists annually: 9–10 million

The Great Wall of China sounds simple and at the same time powerful. The 8,851.9 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

When completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum's arena accommodated 50,000 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 to tourists, where gladiators waited to enter the mortal match. From the upper floors of the Colosseum a picturesque panorama of the Eternal City opens.

3. Roman Forum, Rome

Tourists annually: 5.1 million

The Roman Forum remained the city's social center for 1,200 years, from the fifth century BC. This square contained 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, and more than 400 horses. Each with unique facial features, hairstyle, and clothing elements, which makes the sculptures even more convincing. The statues were buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, becoming part of the majestic acropolis. It is believed that some of the warriors have not yet been excavated, since 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 of 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 greater attraction for tourists. Three huge sarcophagi for the pharaohs are located 25 kilometers from the center of Cairo, a city with a population of 11 million.

6. Pompeii, Italy

Tourists annually: 2.5 million

When 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 the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Under the layer of ash, people, animals, houses were imprinted, 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 at the top by the Parthenon - a temple to the goddess Athena, a unique symbol of classical Greece and the origins of democracy. Built in the 5th century BC, the Parthenon has lost much of its decoration, and the marble sculptures that adorned it have "mysteriously" appeared in European museums (there are still unsuccessful negotiations for their return to Greece).

8. Ephesus, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 2 million

Just 30 years ago, Ephesus was an almost completely abandoned Roman ruin in a sparsely populated area 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 in the amphitheater, with a capacity of 25 thousand people, theatrical performances based on ancient dramas are held.

9. Teotihuacan, Mexico

Tourists annually: 1.9 million

Pyramid-shaped terraces dedicated to the Sun and Moon dominated the ancient square of the sacred city, built between the first and seventh centuries AD. With base sides measuring 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 this place for more than two thousand years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hieropolis was built here. Carved out of travertine in 190 BC, this "spa town" has temple ruins, a well-preserved amphitheater and a Sacred Pool where you can swim among ancient Roman columns.

11. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

Tourists annually: 1.4 million

The stepped terraces of the Pyramid of Kukulcan, called El Castillo or the Castle by the Spanish, overlook the ancient city surrounded by tropical jungle. The Mayans 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 the 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 honoring Buddha and Hindu gods, and numerous caves were carved into the basalt rock between 600 and 1000 AD. The solid stone buildings 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 slightly south of the modern border between England and Scotland, which remains 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 long 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 after their goddess Minerva and built a spa town with the Latin name Aquae Sulis, with baths and a temple to Sulis-Minerva. Later the city was renamed Bath (from the English Bath - bathhouse), 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 Buddha and Bodhisattva statues 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 more than 7 meters high. One of the caves even displays numerous medical recipes.

16. Stonehenge, England

Tourists annually: 1.1 million

People interpret the meaning of the mysterious megaliths, displayed in a circle more than 6 thousand years ago, as they wish. Perhaps they had some astronomical significance or were part of Druid rituals. Now it is a place of pilgrimage for neo-pagans, feminists (associating Stonehenge with the times of matriarchy), fans of aliens and science fiction. 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, surrounded by a wall on the north, west and south sides, and facing the shores of the Caribbean Sea on the east, reached its power in the 1200s AD. The temples, walls, murals and carvings of the city of Tulum (originally Zama, meaning “sunrise”) have withstood salty sea winds and hurricanes for centuries and have lost much of the features found in other Mayan ruins. However, Tulum is popular among tourists due to its accessible 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 ridge 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 they are considering limiting the number of visitors to 2,500 people per day or 912,500 per 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 at the bottom of the rocks. The Canyon de Cheys Wilderness Area is located within the Navajo Nation reservation, so visiting the monument is only possible with a tribal guide. The exception is the White House Ruins tourist route. The name of the canyon comes from its Indian name Tséyi’, which meant “canyon”; they pronounced the word “say-ee,” but it sounded like “de-shey.”

20. Angkor Wat, Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

Tourists annually: 804.7 thousand.

Originally the Angkor Wat temple, built between the 9th and 15th centuries AD. during the formation of the Khmer Empire, it was dedicated to various Hindu gods. Although Angkor Wat eventually became a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the temple's architecture still reflects significant Indian heritage from 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 the top of a mountain plateau stretching over the desert at an altitude of 400 meters. Roman mosaics, wall paintings, water collection tanks, baths and military barracks have been preserved quite well due to the dry climate and the sufficient remoteness of the fortress. The story goes that this fortress remained the last stronghold for survivors of the Great Jewish Revolt in 66 AD, and it was only five years later that 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 out 492 caves and more than 2,000 sculptures decorated with clay and paint. 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 murals reflect pictures of Buddhism, local history and the daily life of the region's inhabitants.

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 to us from Plato’s descriptions. It is believed that Knossos was destroyed by a volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini that occurred around 1500 BC. The only thing that has survived to this day and has been 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 Nabataean people. Along the narrow gorge there are temples and monuments skillfully carved from stone, the majestic Temple-Mausoleum of El Khazneh and more than 500 more tombs. A thousand years ago, this once prosperous city was located at the crossroads of trade routes that brought incense, 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 steep cliff at an altitude of 20 meters, was created by the Pueblo Indians (Anasazi culture) 800 years ago. Small T-shaped entrance openings retained heat in the home 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 cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians (ancestors of modern Pueblos) were built from sandstone cemented with mud between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, becoming one of the largest and best-preserved ancient settlements in North America. The walls, plastered in red, brown and white, bear images of people, animals, handprints and various geometric patterns. Perhaps the colors had some kind of generic meaning.

27. Mira (St. Nicholas Church), Antalya, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 544.8 thousand.

The Lycian tombs, with their square columns and house-like appearance, were carved into limestone cliffs 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, which bears the name of a 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, the 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 thousand 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 Asklepion temple.

29. Troy, Canakkale, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 515.9 thousand.

Troy was immortalized in Homer's Iliad, which tells of a disaster that befell 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 back in the Neolithic period 6 thousand years ago, was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center or “navel” of the whole world. A temple to Apollo, Athena and other gods, as well as stone terraces and rest houses for parishioners, were erected here. 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 Taklamakan Desert, from the 1st century BC. was a Western Chinese cultural, economic and political center until the 14th century. 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 underway.

32. Ajanta, India

Tourists annually: 416 thousand.

Using only hammers and chisels, it took Buddhist monks between 15 and 21 centuries to create 30 caves, each with separate interiors and openings that offered views of the gorge and river. The monasteries are decorated with paintings and stone sculptures of Buddha and bodhisattvas. Examples of magnificent works of art reveal about the lifestyle of Indians in those distant times.

33. Coba, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Tourists annually: 400.6 thousand.

This 2,000-year-old Mayan city, home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, was the center for 46 sacbes, or “white roads,” connecting different parts of the mesostate, built of rubble, pebbles and limestone. Coba is surrounded by five sinkholes filled with water (cenotes) and impenetrable tropical jungle.

34. Perge (Perga), Antalya, Türkiye

Tourists annually: 399.8 thousand.

The ruins of Perge are now surrounded by fields and countryside near Antalya, but two thousand years ago it was a thriving Roman city. 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 cities), an amphitheater for 12 thousand spectators and a boulevard with a colonnade. The site is also known for its unusual stone gate towers, built in 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.

Covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, this town 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, warehouses and living quarters, luxurious villas, hidden for many years under a 20-meter layer of volcanic rock.

When a tourist is going to travel to any country, it is useful for him to think about his travel plan in advance and choose those attractions that should be visited first. Just remember, there are so many of these attractions that a lifetime may not be enough to see them!

Machu Picchu (Peru)

The ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu has been dubbed a new wonder of the world. It was built in the saddle of a mountain range at an elevation of 2450 meters, for which it received the figurative name “city among the clouds” or “city in the sky.” A number of archaeologists believe that this “sacred” mountain shelter was built for himself around 1440 by the Inca ruler Pachacutec. The city flourished until 1532, until the Spanish conquerors came here, after which all the city's inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. It is dedicated to the founder of the UAE and the first president of this country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The uniqueness of this mosque is that any visitors are allowed into it, regardless of their faith. The mosque amazes with its grandiose size, magnificent architecture, white marble and magnificent green gardens.

Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

One of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal mausoleum is perhaps the most recognizable world, and not just Indian, landmark. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for the repose of his beloved third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. This one of the most beautiful buildings in the world has become the personification of eternal love. The mausoleum has 5 domes, the highest of which rises to 74 meters, as well as 4 minarets in the corners of the complex. Near the mosque there is a huge swimming pool with fountains and a magnificent garden. The walls of the mausoleum are covered with perfectly polished, seemingly translucent marble slabs, decorated with incredibly beautiful floral and plant patterns.

St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican)

St. Peter's Basilica, the heart of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, is one of the most important landmarks of the Eternal City. From its dome, the whole of Rome is viewed from a bird's eye view, but what is even more striking is its internal splendor, to which the best masters of the Renaissance had a hand.

Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

The Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia is the largest religious building built almost 9 centuries ago. Even its name indicates monumentality, since it is translated as “temple city.” Its 200 hectares of territory are surrounded by a 190 m wide moat. This colossal temple is dedicated to Vishnu, whom Cambodians worship.

Ancient city of Petra (Jordan)

In the center of Jordan, in the Siq canyon among the sandstone mountains lies the amazing ancient city of Petra. It was created by the nomadic Nabatean tribes as a temporary shelter. Gradually, several inhabited rock caves turned into a real fortress city, which could only be reached through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once a stormy mountain stream. Now Petra is owned by the Bedouins, who more cordially welcome visitors to their land.

Mutianyu - section of the Great Wall of China (China)

It was on this section of the ancient Great Wall of China that restorers did their best work. It houses 22 watchtowers in their original form, which is why they are considered an architectural masterpiece. Translated from Chinese, Mutianyu means something like “valley with beautiful views of fields.” This section of the wall has been completely restored and is open to tourists.

Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

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This grandiose Catholic church is being built at a classic medieval pace - the second hundred years have already passed, and it is still being built, however, only with donations from parishioners, without attracting budgetary funds. If Gaudi had not joined this project in 1882, then perhaps today there would still be debate regarding the type of temple. The great Catalan architect supervised the construction of the temple until his death, but died without building even half of it. The facades of the temple look very different, as those who continued the construction contributed their own ideas. After the consecration of the temple in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, it was given the title of Minor Papal Basilica.

Christ the Redeemer Statue (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Rising above Rio, the colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer has long become a symbol of the city. Millions of tourists every year climb to its foot, which offers breathtaking views of the city, the bay, the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Teotihuacan (San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico)

The name of this ancient Aztec settlement means “the city where people turn into gods.” They believed that the gods returned to Teotihuacan after the Great Flood to recreate the world. Historians believe that the population of this ancient city was about 200 thousand people. Unfortunately, the age of this largest of the cities of the pre-Columbian era has not been precisely established.

Grand Canyon (USA)

The Grand Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. It is cut by the Colorado River in the plateau of the same name, located in the state of Arizona, its length is almost 450 kilometers. Now it has become part of the national park of the same name. In its widest places, the width of the canyon reaches 29 kilometers. The scale of this pattern of natural erosion is astonishing. Extreme lovers come here to create something like this.

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Milan Cathedral (Italy)

The Duomo or Milan Cathedral is the main attraction of Milan and the pearl of Italian architecture in the Flamboyant Gothic style. Its construction lasted from 1386 until the beginning of the 19th century, and some parts were completed even in the last century. This is the third largest Catholic cathedral on our planet. Its sharp spire, topped with a golden Madonna, is 106 meters high.

Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia (China)

Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is located in the Chinese province of Gansu, and its main attraction is the magnificent colored rocks. This natural wonder was formed as a result of layered deposits of sandstone and various minerals during the Cretaceous period. The height of these hills reaches several hundred meters. In the panoramic image, it seems that the local landscape was painted by some giant artist with orange, red, green, blue-gray and yellow paints.

Palace and park ensemble of Peterhof (Russia)

The countryside royal residence of Peterhof appears to the public as an extravaganza of flowing water, a kingdom of fountains and magnificent palaces, in which one can feel the era of the first Russian emperor, brilliant Elizabethan interiors and the more austere times of Nicholas I. In terms of luxury, few royal residences can compare with Peterhof. The pride of the park is the unique system of fountains created by the Russian hydraulic engineer Tuvolkov during the reign of Peter I. Although it copied the Versailles system, it surpassed it in many ways.

Egyptian pyramids

The ancient Egyptian pyramids located near Cairo are the eternal symbol of the ancient state. Here the hot sands of the Libyan Desert come into contact with the most fertile soils of the great Nile Valley. There are many pyramids in Egypt: tall and not very high, stepped and smooth, well preserved and practically destroyed. Pyramids are found in different places in Egypt: Memphis, Saqqara, Upper Egypt, Hawar, Abusir, Medum, Abu Rawash and El Lahun. Most of them are unfamiliar to tourists, for whom the main ones are the pyramids of Giza, a suburb of Cairo. It is believed that they were built 2600-2300 BC. e.

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Acropolis (Athens, Greece)

On a high hill in the very center of Athens there are buildings from ancient times - the Acropolis of Athens. Here are the temples of the Parthenon, Hekatompedon, Erechtheion, Temple of Nike Apteros, Statue of Athena Promachos, Propylaea - the main entrance buildings and much more. In total, there are about 21 buildings and structures in the acropolis. The history of the Acropolis is tragic: the Greco-Persian War almost destroyed it, and Persian harems and mosques settled in its temples. Later, the enterprising British lord, without embarrassment, took from here to London and Paris many valuable fragments, which are now exhibited in the Louvre and the British Museum. Fortunately, at the end of the 19th century, the Greeks decided to restore the Acropolis, for which they demolished everything that was built here later. Therefore, now tourists can enjoy the pristine view of ancient walls and columns.

Rock churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia)

This unique place is often called the “new Jerusalem”. All 11 churches of Lalibela were carved into the rocks approximately 800 years ago. The place was named in honor of Lalibela, the ruler of Ethiopia who lived in the 12th century, who founded his capital on this place. The construction of all the churches took only one century, which led to speculation that the builders were helped by angels who worked at night. In subsequent centuries, churches were guarded by clergy, who also preserved treasures, wrote manuscripts and consecrated bibles. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior has the largest dimensions - 11 m in height and 33 m in length; the colonnade at the facade, which includes 28 large columns, is also impressive. Here is the main Ethiopian shrine - a ritual cross that once belonged to King Lalibela.

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Moscow Kremlin (Russia)

The oldest building in the capital of Russia is its fortress - the Kremlin. Each part of it is a separate chapter of the story. In the early period of the development of the capital, the walls of the Kremlin protected residents from the enemy, but now it has become just a small corner in the very center of the city. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the Russian sites included by UNESCO in its list of protected World Heritage Sites. Numerous architectural and historical monuments are densely located on the territory of the modern Kremlin: the Chamber of Facets, the Tsar Cannon, the Tsar Bell, several historical churches, etc. Nowadays, the Moscow Kremlin is the official residence of the President of Russia.

Zhangjiajie National Park (China)

If you watched the movie "Avatar", then you were probably amazed by the "flying" rocks in an area called Pandora. Almost the entire landscape was not drawn on a computer, it was filmed here - in Zhangjiajie National Park, which is located in the Wulingyuan Mountains (southeastern Chinese province of Hunan). In the park you can see quartzite rocks up to 800 meters high - the result of thousands of years of erosion. The Wulingyuan mountain range also has much higher peaks - reaching heights of over 3000 meters.

Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

Who would have thought that a temporary structure built for the World Exhibition would not only survive, but also become the most recognizable symbol of Paris and all of France, the most important landmark of the country's capital. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to its observation platforms every year, from where the whole of Paris is visible, and in the light of night or festive illumination it becomes a real beauty.

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Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Türkiye)

Whatever this ancient city is called - Constantinople or Istanbul - it is still adorned by the majestic St. Sophia Cathedral. This is the best example of Byzantine architecture; it remains an ancient witness to the greatness of the Byzantine Empire. The Turks who conquered the city turned the cathedral into a Muslim mosque in the 15th century, but treated it quite delicately. Therefore, now tourists have a great opportunity to visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia Museum and enjoy the beauty of the ancient temple.

Iguazu Falls (Argentina-Brazil)

Situated on the Iguazu River on the border between Argentina and Brazil, the magnificent Iguazu Falls are twice as tall and wide as the famous Niagara Falls on the Great Lakes. It is also called the “Devil's Throat”. It stretches along the river for two kilometers, and its cascades form a kind of horseshoe. The appearance of this waterfall was facilitated by a volcanic eruption, after which a large cleft was left in the ground. During the rainy season, the waterfall throws down 13,000 cubic meters of water every second, then it looks especially impressive. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Colosseum (Rome, Italy)

This one of the symbols of the Eternal City appeared in it 80 years BC. e. About 50,000 Romans could have gathered there for the spectacle. The opening of the Colosseum itself was celebrated in Rome for 100 days, and battles in its arena continued until the decline of the empire in the 4th century. Subsequent generations greatly “pinched” the Colosseum, dismantling it for building materials, but there is still much to be seen there.

Alhambra (Granada, Spain)

Translated from Arabic, Alhambra means “red castle”. The Moorish rulers built this magnificent fortress-palace in the province of Granada on the top of a rocky plateau. In this wonderful palace, subtle, graceful Moorish architecture appeared in all its splendor.

Sydney Opera House (Australia)

The relatively young building of this theater, built by the Dane Jorn Utzon, instantly became a recognizable symbol of Sydney. The original roof design resembles half-open shells. This theater has become a must-see for most tourists.

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