What interesting sights are there? The most famous landmarks in the world

When planning a trip to a country, a person familiarizes himself with the list of its attractions in advance in order to have time to explore all of them, or at least most of them, during his vacation. Every state has unusual places that attract millions of tourists every year. Some are made by people, while others are made by nature. The article presents the most interesting and popular attractions in the world that everyone should see.

Machu Picchu is an ancient city located on the mountain slopes in Peru. According to information received from archaeologists, it was founded in the 15th century and is one of the wonders of the world of our time. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built by order of the king of the Inca Empire and for a long time was a shelter for people who suffered from the Spanish invasion. In 1532, all its inhabitants disappeared without a trace in an instant.

A beautiful and large Catholic cathedral located in the heart of Milan (Italy) and dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The building is made in the Gothic style, and the main material used in construction is marble. The Milan Cathedral is crowned by a four-meter bronze statue of the Madonna. It rises above the city on a 106-meter spire. In Spain there is a decree that no building should cover the statue. The exception is the Pirelli skyscraper.

Hotel de Glace is the most unusual hotel in the world and the main attraction of Quebec (Canada). Every year, between January and March, the owners of a plot of land near the Montmorency Falls build a building from ice blocks. Inside there are beds made of pieces of ice, on which visitors sleep, wrapped in sleeping bags. Food and drinks are served to vacationers in ice containers. Hotel de Glace is open only three months a year and during this time it welcomes thousands of guests.

The Great Wall of China is considered a symbol of China and the place where all excursion programs begin. It was built during the Warring States era to protect the country from nomadic tribes and Xiongnu troops. More than a million builders took part in the construction of the Chinese Wall, and its final length was 2 thousand km. Thanks to this, it was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest structure ever created by man.

The most famous suspension bridge located in California. It connects the shores of the San Francisco Peninsula and Marin County. Between 1937 and 1964, the Golden Gate was considered the longest suspended structure in the world. Its length is 2.7 km. It is intended for the passage of cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Each category has a separate lane.

Interesting!

The Eiffel Tower is the main attraction of France. It provides jobs for 600 Parisians.

The largest natural object on the planet, in the formation of which living organisms took part. Its structure consists entirely of billions of dead microscopic creatures, called coral polyps by scientists. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the Earth, and the Australian state of Queensland calls the Great Barrier Reef its calling card.

The most famous landmark of Brazil, which is located in Rio de Janeiro. It was erected on Mount Corcovado at the request of the Catholic clergyman Pedra Maria Bossa. In the fall of 2006, on the 75th anniversary of the opening of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, it was consecrated by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, which made it possible for Catholic couples to hold wedding ceremonies and baptize children near it. A year later, the statue received the title of one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Poseidon Undersea is the world's first underwater hotel and is the pride of the Fiji Islands. Each room, which is a sealed capsule, has a large panoramic window overlooking the coral reef and the amazing underwater world. Poseidon Undersea has inspired many architects around the world and today similar structures are built in Sweden, the Maldives, Dubai, and off the coast of Florida.

The monastery, located among the mountain slopes in southwestern Bulgaria, is the largest in the country and is recognized as a national architectural monument of the 10th century. The monastery was built with the assistance of St. John of Rila. Its main shrine was the relics of John of Rila and the iconostasis-reliquary, inside of which there are fragments of the remains of saints. Nearby there is the Rilets Resort hotel complex, which offers guests an excursion to the monastery.

The pyramids on the Giza plateau are the most famous landmark in the world. They are located east of Cairo. The largest of them is the tomb of Pharaoh Cheops. The rest are dedicated to Khafre and Mikerin - the most ancient and influential rulers of Ancient Egypt. Next to them are several more famous attractions of the country - the Sphinx and the Temple of the Dead. Every evening on the Giza plateau a colorful light and music show is held, during which everyone present can hear stories about Ancient Egypt.

An unusual beach on the California coast has become one of America's most visited attractions. It is strewn with pieces of ground glass and is part of the MacKerriher National Park. Glasses of all colors of the rainbow appeared due to the fact that in the last century local residents massively threw household waste, including bottles, into the water. They fought, and the pieces ground off on the sand and waves. Today the beach is cleared of garbage, but the glass has not been removed.

The Colosseum is the main attraction of Rome. For a long time it was called the temple of death, since many people, gladiators and slaves, died in the arena of the amphitheater. Despite the fact that the Colosseum is huge, it took only 9 years to build it. Over 100 thousand Jewish captives took part in the construction work. On the opening day, massive battles took place in the amphitheater, during which about 2,000 soldiers and 5,000 wild animals were killed.

Interesting!

You need to visit Rome not only to see the Colosseum. The city has many museums, ancient monuments and the smallest country in the world - the Vatican.

The Dead Sea is the pride and calling card of Israel, as well as the largest body of water with standing water of medium salinity. Due to the high mineral content of the Dead Sea, it is considered medicinal. Anyone who has bathed in jelly-like water 3-4 times feels full of energy and is less likely to suffer from colds. A special feature of the Dead Sea is that you can sunbathe on its shores all year round without fear of getting a skin burn. Evaporation from the reservoir creates a kind of dome that reduces the harmfulness of sunlight.

The Walk of Fame is a popular place in Hollywood. It is a chain of sidewalks paved with stone slabs, in the center of which is a five-pointed star made of brass alloy. Each of the plates is dedicated to some achievement in the field of music, television or film industry. The Walk of Fame was laid out in 1958, and is still considered a major Hollywood attraction.

The name of the palace is translated from French as “my pleasure.” This incredibly beautiful building is located in the Peterhof palace and park complex and is an architectural monument of the 18th century. It was built by order of the ruler Peter I in accordance with the monarch’s ideas about the comfortable life of a secular person. Today Monplaisir has the status of a museum. There are paintings, rare kitchen utensils and other valuables collected by Peter I from all over the world.

The Louvre is the world's most famous museum and the pride of the capital of France. Over 10 million tourists visit it annually. The territory of the Louvre is the size of 22 football fields and it is all filled with rare paintings, sculptures, jewelry, examples of decorative and applied arts, etc. People come to the Louvre not only to look at the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo. The museum has 8 zones, each of which contains exhibits dedicated to different eras and cultures. A full tour of the Louvre will take several days.

Pripyat is a dark and mysterious place with a sad history that attracts people from all over the world. The most famous attraction of the exclusion zone is the amusement park. Its main object is the Ferris wheel, which has become a symbol of Pripyat. It never worked, since the opening of the attraction was scheduled for May 1 (5 days before the Chernobyl explosion).

The reservoir is located on the border between the Irkutsk region and Buryatia. It is considered a unique natural landmark of Russia and the cleanest lake of the 21st century. It contains over 23 thousand cubic kilometers of water, which is equal to 22% of the total world supply of drinking water. On the shores of Lake Baikal there are 8 large cities and more than a dozen small settlements. There are also recreation centers and tourist and recreational areas there. The maximum depth of the lake is 1.6 km.

There is probably no person in the world who has not heard of Fort Boyard. This fortress is located on a sandbank in the Antioch Strait, near the coast of France. The filming of the TV show of the same name took place there, which was shown on many TV channels around the world. Fort Boyard is a fortification structure 68 m long and 31 m wide. The height of its walls is more than 21 m. The fortress was intended to protect France from attacks, but was never used for its intended purpose.

Interesting!

Due to a lack of money to restore Fort Boyard, which was built in 1859, the country's authorities put it up for sale. The fortress was bought by the creator of television shows, Jacques Antoine.

Niagara Falls is located on the border of two countries - the USA and Canada. It is considered a popular tourist destination and the most powerful in terms of the volume of water passing through its rapids. In 1911, an event happened that made Niagara Falls famous throughout the world - it froze and turned into a huge piece of ice. Crowds of tourists came to see this miracle of nature. Among them were professional climbers who tried to climb the frozen stream, but only a few of them succeeded.

Stonehenge is an ancient megalith built in the southern region of England. It is a complex of three dozen rough-hewn stones. On top of the pillars lie stone slabs, and together they form a circular sanctuary, in the center of which is the altar. No one knows why Stonehenge was built. It is believed that the Hyperboreans and the mythical magician Merlin performed rituals there.

In Santorini (Greece), near the small village of Pyrgos, there is a beautiful ancient monastery of Elijah the Prophet, built in the early 18th century. On its territory there is a church, inside of which many religious artifacts are hidden. The monastery was built on the top of a mountain. There is an observation deck on one of its walls. In sunny weather, it offers views of the expanse of the Aegean Sea and the island of Crete.

On the island of Oahu there is an important strategic point for the US Navy - the port of Pearl Harbor. Warships and submarines are based near it. The port itself has storage facilities where ammunition, fuel, weapons and other logistical property of the United States of America are stored. Tourists will not be able to enter the territory of Pearl Harbor, but it can be viewed from the outside.

Parus is the most expensive and famous hotel in the UAE. It is located in Dubai and in 1999 became a symbol of the capital of the state. A special feature of the building is its unusual shape. It is made in the form of a sail that develops against the backdrop of the Persian Gulf. The real name of the hotel is Burj Al Arab, which means “Arab Tower” in Arabic. The complex has swimming pools, SPA salons and underground parking. There is a fountain inside the building, and on its roof there is a helicopter landing area.

Uyuni is the largest salt marsh on Earth, which is located in the vicinity of Bolivia. Its area is over 12,000 km2. 25 thousand years ago there was a huge Lake Minchin on its territory. It dried up and now there is a large white desert, where instead of sand there are crushed salt crystals. When the rainy season begins in Bolivia, Uyuni is covered with a thin layer of water, which reflects the sky. Millions of tourists come to see this miracle of nature.

The lake is owned by Banff National Park in the middle of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. During the melting of glaciers, the reservoir increases in size and acquires a bright blue color. This is explained by the fact that when pieces of glacier fall into the lake, they reflect the sun's rays of the blue spectrum. Surrounded by tall pine trees and mountain peaks, it looks mesmerizing. Moraine Lake was discovered by explorer Walter Wilcox in 1899 and has since been considered one of the popular tourist destinations in Canada.

Holland is known throughout the world for its huge fields of tulips, which people from different countries come to see. Flower trades called FloraHolland are held annually in the country. You can buy rare varieties of tulips and other plants there. The fields themselves are always open to tourists. For a certain amount, the guest will be shown how breeders work and where the most expensive types of tulips are grown. You can also buy souvenirs at the farms - magnets, keychains and toys.

As dusk falls, blue lights light up on the coast of the Maldives archipelago. This is not lighting technology, but microscopic microorganisms - bioluminescent plankton. In the period from February to July, it swims to the shore, and then is thrown onto the beach by waves, which is why it begins to glow blue. A massive accumulation of bioluminescent plankton is observed on Vadhu Island. There are many people walking there every evening, blue lights flashing under their feet.

The Great or Grand Canyon was formed in Arizona three million years ago. It is considered a major North American attraction and a popular tourist destination. In summer it is very hot there. The air temperature rises to +40 °C, and frosts occur in winter. However, the Grand Canyon is crowded throughout the year. Some are simply exploring the scenery, while others are mountaineering.

The Bellagio Fountains are the main attraction of Las Vegas. This is the best free entertainment in the city. Every evening people strolling along the embankment can watch a unique water show. As dusk sets in, the fountains begin to light up and music plays from speakers on the shore. Bellagio's jets “dance” to the singing of Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra and other famous performers.

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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 full-size statues of warriors made of clay: 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.

The sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural objects of history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered across various centers of deceased and existing civilizations on planet Earth.

We have selected the 30 best, which every tourist should definitely see.

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

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Blood, became the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. The Savior on Spilled Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with its unusual history, which has given rise to many legends and speculations. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

If you look at a Google map, you can understand why the bridge (not golden, but red) is called a gate. The main local attraction “let” the Pacific Ocean into the San Francisco Bay, connecting the city with Marin County. This grandiose structure was built from 1933 to 1937. At the time of its opening, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous and popular monuments in the world. Every year, millions of tourists rise to its foot, from where a dizzying panorama of the city and bay opens with the picturesque Sugar Loaf Mountain, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the huge bowl of the Maracana Stadium.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located in modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the “city in the sky” or “city in the clouds”, sometimes called the “lost city of the Incas”. Some archaeologists believe that the city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spanish invaded the Inca Empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.

Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The pyramids at Giza are the oldest and largest pyramids in the world, but most importantly, the Pyramid of Cheops is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that has survived to this day. And without a doubt, the pyramids in Giza deservedly take first place in the Top 10 attractions of the world. These pyramids were built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian kings, these royal tombs reflect the power and wealth of the ancient civilization of Egypt.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are more popular than any other attractions in the world, they are located in the western part of the Nile, next to the capital of Egypt, Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest, it was built as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian king Khufu (Cheops). It has a height of 137 meters, which means the Cheops pyramid was the tallest structure on Earth for several millennia, until the towers of Cologne Cathedral were completed in 1880, and consists of 2,300,000 blocks, some weighing up to 200 tons.
The second pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre, the son of King Khufu. It was erected in 2592 BC, the third pyramid at Giza was built for Menkaure, the son of King Khafre.

Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China

On no other section of the Great Wall of China were restoration work carried out as well as on the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a true architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu from Chinese is translated as “a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields.” Among all the sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.

Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy

According to the chronicles, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main competitor and adversary of Florence, “called upon their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than that of their neighbors.” So, between 1215 and 1263, on the site of the old temple, the Duomo of Siena was founded according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolo Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of Siena.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.

Old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia

In 1979, UNESCO listed Dubrovnik's old town as a World Heritage Site, including a significant portion of the city's ancient walls. They surround the city on four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. Built for defensive purposes, these stone walls have protected its citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.

Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The “highlight” of Bayon are the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from above over the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and during the heyday of the state, over the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers remain.

Alhambra, Spain

The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name came from the “red flame of torches” that illuminated the many years of construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy

The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente (Duomo), a pearl of Italian Gothic architecture, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can easily be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers tower over the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many areas of the city.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar

The Shwedagon Pagoda is the tallest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptures of mythical and real animals: golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, Shwedagon Pagoda became in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the gigantic temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed in gold from top to bottom.

Colosseum, Rome

This is the largest amphitheater in the world during the Roman Empire. It is also the most popular tourist and iconic symbol of Rome. The Colosseum was built in 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian. It was used for gladiator fights and public events. Gladiator fights took place in the Colosseum until 435 AD. It can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.

Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC

The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president sitting in a chair. Its height is 5.79 meters.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg National Military Park is not a park in the traditional sense. Here you will not find shady alleys and flowering flower beds. This is the site of an important battle of the United States Civil War in 1863.

Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico

The name of the ancient settlement of Teotihucan is translated from the Aztec language as “the city where people become gods.” According to legend, after the Great Flood, the gods returned to Teotihuacan to re-create the world. Modern researchers believe that the area of ​​this ancient settlement was 26-28 square kilometers, and the population was about 200 thousand people. It is one of the oldest and largest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the exact age of which is still unknown.

Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by a Visigothic church, and in 785 the Mezquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated to the obligatory hajj to Mecca for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian temple.

Ancient City of Petra, Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

In the very heart of Jordan, in the Wadi Musa valley, deep in the sandy mountains, there is the most amazing ancient city of Petra. Petra was originally a temporary refuge for the nomadic Nabatean tribes. From several fortified rock caves, it gradually grew into a large fortified city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow Siq gorge, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who warmly welcome guests to their land.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy

The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can view ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, celebrate Mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.

Ancient city of Ephesus, Selcuk, Türkiye

The largest and best-preserved ancient city on the Aegean Sea and the second most important after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androcles, the son of the ruler of Athens, Codra, who, on the advice of an oracle, arrived in these places to found the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, Androcles' lover.

Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers killed during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a 360-degree panorama of the monument opens.

Golden Temple - Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, India

Harmandir Sahib is one of the oldest and most revered temples in India and is the Mecca of the Sikhs. Its upper tiers are covered with gold, which is why it is also known as the “Golden Temple”. The road to the entrance to the temple goes along a narrow marble bridge over a pond, the water of which is considered healing. Pilgrims believe that it consists of the elixir of immortality and holy water. The road over the bridge symbolizes the path from the sinner to the righteous.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, ​​Spain

The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although Antonio Gaudi initially had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work he headed this project. Gaudi built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction period is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.

Sydney Opera House, Australia

The Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Australia, located on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The theater hosts more than 1,500 productions every year and is considered one of the busiest arts centers in the world. It is estimated that over 7 million people visit this amazing Sydney tourist attraction.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Cambodian temple Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, the history of which goes back almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of ​​200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal structure is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.

Big Ben, England

The vast majority of tourists clearly associate Big Ben with England and is rightfully considered the main tourist attraction of the country. Few people know that in fact Big Ben is not a separate attraction, but part of the Palace of Westminster in London. Big Ben contains the world's largest chimes and is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is named after Benjamin Hall, one of the architects of this clock tower, which was built between 1848 and 1853.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

This is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the capital of France, Paris. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer responsible for its design and construction. The tower is over 300 meters high and weighs over 10,000 tons; construction was completed in 1889. for him; s construction. The 324 meter tower weighs 10,100 tons and was opened in 1889. For the next 41 years it remained the tallest building in the world.

Statue of Liberty, New York, USA

The Statue of Liberty is recognized as the main attraction of the United States, it is a symbol of Freedom, why did millions of migrants from Europe strive for a country of great opportunities. The colossal sculpture is located 3 kilometers from Manhattan in New York. The statue actually represents the Roman Goddess of Liberty and is a gift from the people of France to the United States.
It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was a gift from the United States for the World's Fair on October 28, 1876. About 4 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every year. The height of this amazing sculpture is 93 meters, from the ground to the tips of the torch.

There are a huge number of places and attractions in the world that you want to visit. They are all something special and attract the attention of thousands of tourists every year. When planning your next trip, take a look at this list and perhaps visiting one of these amazing places will leave a lasting impression on you.

1)
A large castrum sinkhole located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll within the Belize Barrier Reef. The diameter of this natural miracle is 305 meters, and it goes 120 meters deep. The Blue Hole attracts a huge number of divers from all over the world every year.

2) "Wave" in Arizona, USA

In the state of Arizona in the USA, there are rocks covered with intricate layered patterns that give the place an unearthly appearance. is located near large settlements, so it has gained great popularity among tourists.

These hills, called chocolate hills, are located on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. In total, there are more than 1,200 such hills covered with greenery in this area.

This place in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan is nicknamed the Gateway to Hell, it was formed after a failed gas drilling operation. 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 this gas on fire and since then, it has continued to burn for more than 40 years.

In the Chinese province of Hunan, they became the prototype for the fantastic landscapes from the movie "Avatar". More than 3,000 thousand sand 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 visited it, since Pamukkale is located just a few hours from the popular Turkish resort of 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 have done a lot of work over many thousands of years, resulting in this amazing canyon of red-red flowers.

Did you know that the most active volcano is in Antarctica? Volcano Erebus (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, making it one of the highest points in Antarctica. Inside the volcano there 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 sedimentation of volcanic rocks.

10) Ischigualasto Natural Park, Argentina

This park, 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 Mars rovers. The landscape of this place looks alien.

11) Salt Flat of Uyuni, Bolivia

The 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 occurs when the rains fall and everything is covered with a thin layer of water, the ideal surface of which turns into a mirror.

12) Danxia Landform, China

This incredible landscape may appear to be just the result of Photoshop, but it is a real geological feature formed by the overlapping of sandstone and other mineral rocks. This natural site is located in the Chinese province of Gansu. In 2010, the Danxia Landscape was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

13) Crystal Cave of the Giants, Mexico

This cave containing the world's largest crystals was recently discovered in 2000 near the city of Chihuahua in Mexico. These giants measure up to 15 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width and are composed of zinc-silver-lead salts. The cave has a special climate (almost 60 degrees Celsius and 100% air humidity), in which a person cannot spend more than 5-10 minutes.

14) Dry Valleys, Antarctica

A dry valley is the territory of three oasis valleys (Victoria, Wright, Taylor) in Antarctica west of McMurdo Sound. Hurricane winds, lack of precipitation, and 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 preserve 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 were created. The Giant's Causeway is one of Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attractions.

17) Kliluk, the Spotted Lake, Canada

Local indigenous Indians consider this lake sacred. The water of this lake has bright colors, as it is saturated with sodium sulfates, calcium, magnesium and other minerals. During 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 predominates 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 platform 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. The Preikestolen cliff is one of Norway's most popular attractions.

19) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes is 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, which is why they are strictly protected by UNESCO.

20) Cappadocia, Türkiye

Cappadocia, or “The Land of Beautiful Horses,” is a unique place located in the Goreme Valley in Turkey. Cappadocia is practically a whole world, which 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 among tourists coming to Turkey.

21) Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone National Park is a unique natural park known throughout the world. The most famous and most visited national park in the USA. Yellowstone is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This park is located in three states: Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yellowstone is famous for its unique geological features: geysers, geothermal springs and the largest dormant volcano on 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 was nicknamed the Tunnel of Love. In the 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 Emperor Nero in 67 BC, and was completed only in 1893. This unique man-made 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 Lago General Carrera, where the Marble Caves are located. This unique natural cave consists entirely of multi-colored marble (pink and blue), there are more than 5000 million tons of it.

25) Monsanto village, Portugal

This small Portuguese town is built among huge stone boulders, many of which serve as homes for local residents. The town of Monsanto consists almost entirely of one-story buildings, which are separated by narrow streets; getting here, you can feel like you are in the Middle Ages.

The views of this ice canyon in Greenland are mesmerizing, its deep blue water is captivating and you can get lost in the many intricately 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 a natural wonder of Iceland, home to the Jökulsarlon ice caves.

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 it is currently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

32) Town of Riomaggiore, Italy

A small town in Italy, where houses are piled on the rocks right at the edge of the sea. Cars are prohibited in Riomaggiore.

33) Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand

Every year a festival is held in Thailand, the unchanging tradition of which is the launching of sky lanterns. This amazing sight, when thousands of luminous lights rise into the sky at the same time, is simply mesmerizing. If you're in Thailand in November, don't 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 area inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write his novel The Lost World.

35) Etretat, Normandy, France

It is impossible to list all the interesting places on the planet in one place, because each place is unique and deserves attention, but we tried to collect many interesting places that you should pay attention to when going on your next trip.

Planet Earth is replete with places that captivate with their beauty. Millions of tourists from all over the world go to them every year, who return from there with a bunch of photographs, videos and, most importantly, memories. Over the years, only the brightest moments remain, and queues for attractions, broken legs and other inconveniences are erased from memory. However, it is not only beauty that is attractive to travelers, as evidenced by the list below of the most visited sites on the planet.

1. Grand Bazaar (Istanbul, Türkiye)

The Grand Bazaar appeared in Constantinople in the 15th century and is considered one of the world's first shopping arcades. An incredible number of visitors pass through it every year - more than 91 million! There are 66 streets on its territory, and there are more than 4 thousand shops on them; the bazaar has become a separate microdistrict of the city.

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2. Times Square (New York, USA)

This square is the main commercial area of ​​New York's Midtown. In terms of attendance, reaching up to 50 million people a year, this square is difficult to compete with any other attraction in the world. Americans often call Times Square, lit with bright lights of advertising and billboards, “the crossroads of the world.”

3. Grand Central (New York, USA)

New York's Grand Central Station is located at the intersection of Park Avenue and 42nd Street within midtown Manhattan. This is the largest railway terminal in the world - it has 44 platforms and 67 tracks converge here. In addition, this is the oldest train station in New York. Surprisingly, it has also become a city attraction, for example, in 2013, about 22 million people decided to look at it. About 750 thousand people come here every day, but only every third of them is a passenger.

4. Magic Kingdom Amusement Park (Orlando, Florida, USA)

Walt Disney World Resort is divided into 4 theme parks, one of which is the Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Florida. It is dedicated to the characters of Disney fairy tales. In 2015, it was visited by 20.49 million people - it is no coincidence that it has been recognized as the world's most visited theme park for the 10th time in a row, and in North America it has held the palm for 15 years.

5. Forbidden City (Beijing, China)

The Chinese Imperial Palace, called the Forbidden City, is located in the heart of Beijing. Emperors lived in it, starting from the Ming dynasty, solemn ceremonies were held here, and the most important political issues were resolved for five centuries. There are about 980 different buildings on the territory of the Forbidden City, and the palace complex has now been turned into a museum. Over 14 million foreign and local tourists come here every year, making the Forbidden City the most visited museum in the world.

6. Tokyo DisneySea Park (Urayasu, Japan)

The Japanese branch of Disneyland is located near Tokyo. This amusement park has a marine theme. It spreads over more than 71 hectares of land. After the opening of Tokyo Disney Sea in 2001, it was faster than other theme parks in achieving 10 million visitors - the anniversary visitor came here just 307 days after the grand opening of the park. Now this park continues to be visited annually by at least 14 million guests.

7. Basilica of the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico City, Mexico)

Mexicans consider their common sacred mother the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe - the intercessor and heavenly patroness of the country. A basilica was built in her honor on the northern outskirts of Mexico City. It is believed that at this place five centuries ago she appeared to the Indian Juan Diego, who conveyed her words to other people. Thanks to this miracle, the ancient Indians were able to reconcile with the Christianity implanted by the Spaniards. The miraculous (according to the Catholic Church) image of the Virgin Mary is kept in the building of the basilica, rebuilt in 1976, as the most revered shrine by Mexicans. This basilica, which has become a shrine of the Catholic New World, is visited annually by over 12 million people. It gets especially crowded here on December 12, the day of veneration of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.

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8. Great Wall of China (PRC)

Once upon a time, the Great Wall of China protected the empire from attacks by northern tribes, so it stretched for several thousand kilometers along the northern border of the country. In fact, these are several separate chains of walls, the sum of their lengths exceeds 21 thousand kilometers. A piece of the wall specially restored for tourists is visited by up to 11 million people every year.

9. Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, USA)

This beautiful red bridge has long become a symbol of San Francisco. It is thrown across the bay of the same name and connects San Francisco with Marin County. This is one of the most photogenic bridges in the world. Its length is 2737 meters. Every year, over 10 million tourists come to take pictures with the bridge in the background.

10. Louvre (Paris, France)

When the Louvre was built back in the 12th century, it was intended as a fortress, and only later did it become a royal palace. When the French overthrew the monarchy and established a republic, the Louvre turned into one of the world's largest museums. Today it is one of the main Parisian attractions and the first most visited museum in Europe (10 million people annually). For example, in 2014, 9.26 million people came to admire its exhibition. The Louvre houses over 380 thousand artifacts, although only 35 thousand of them are available for viewing in the halls. At the Louvre, an inquisitive visitor can get acquainted with the history of the development of human civilization from the earliest prehistoric times to the present day. The area of ​​all Louvre exhibitions is about 16 hectares (this is the third largest museum in the world), so in order to even superficially get acquainted with the countless masterpieces made not only in Europe, but also in Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the planet, it will not be enough and several days.

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11. Sydney Opera House (Australia)

Every year, over 8 million people come to see this performing arts center located in Sydney, Australia. But only about 350 thousand guests take paid tours of the building. The theater building was built in 1973, and when it firmly became a tourist attraction, UNESCO added it to its World Heritage List in 2007.

12. Ocean Park (Hong Kong, China)

In 1977, an ocean park was opened in Hong Kong, where marine mammals settled; there is also a marine animal theme park, an aquarium, and an amusement park. All this is located in the Southern District of Hong Kong on 88 hectares. Here you can see extremely cute Chinese pandas, and for the entertainment of not only children, but also adults, 35 attractions have been built here. In addition, the park hosts celebrations and colorful shows. With around 8 million visitors each year, it is one of the most popular Asian theme parks in terms of attendance.

13. Parthenon (Athens, Greece)

The Greek Parthenon is one of the most famous ancient architectural monuments. The ruins of this temple, standing on the Acropolis hill, tower over Athens. It was built between 447 and 432 BC. The Parthenon has been a popular Greek and European landmark for many decades. And this despite the fact that not much remains of it to this day - most of the pediments were destroyed, three dozen statues were preserved in deplorable condition. It is now even difficult to imagine what this temple looked like in all its splendor, since almost no descriptions of it have survived. As far as possible, the fragments of stones were put back in their places, the original statues went to museums, giving way to copies. The Greek government is making vigorous efforts to return to its homeland fragments of the temple that were barbarously removed by stronger countries. The Parthenon is considered a symbol of Ancient Greece, the cradle of democracy and Western civilization, so approximately 8 million people want to see it every year.

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14. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

One of the new wonders of the world, the magnificent marble mausoleum of the Taj Mahal was built in Agra in the period 1632-1653. This complex is the best that the Mughals built, in addition, it itself became a part of Indian history. Every year, approximately 8 million tourists from all over the world come to see its splendor.

15. Prague Castle (Prague, Czech Republic)

Prague Castle, covering an area of ​​about 70 thousand square meters. m, was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fortress in the world. Almost 2 million people annually purchase tickets for sightseeing tours, and over 7.4 million tourists simply walk through its territory. Prague Castle dates back to the 9th century, and now the residence of the Czech president is located here.

16. St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican)

St. Peter's Basilica was built during the heyday of the Renaissance - this is the main building of the Vatican - an independent state in the center of Rome. St. Peter's Basilica is a magnificent example of the Renaissance architectural style and one of the largest churches in the world. Since the residence of the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, is also located here, 7 million people visit the basilica every year, most of whom are Catholic parishioners.

17. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)

When it comes to Paris, most people often think of the Eiffel Tower first. French engineer Gustave Eiffel built it in 1899. Neither he himself nor any of the French could have imagined that this building, erected only for the World Trade Exhibition, would turn out to be so popular that it would become one of the main symbols of Paris and all of France. For 40 years, this openwork steel structure, with a height of 324 meters, was the tallest artificial structure on the planet, until it was overtaken by skyscrapers, which began to grow like mushrooms in different parts of the Earth. To climb to its observation deck, you need to overcome 1665 steps, but it is much easier to do it by elevator. Almost 7 million tourists visited here in 2015.

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18. Milan Cathedral (Italy)

The construction of the Milan Cathedral lasted almost 600 years (1386-1965), with interruptions, but the result was magnificent. It became the main attraction of the city. Built in the Flamboyant Gothic style, the Duomo has become one of the most beautiful and monumental religious buildings in the world. It can accommodate up to 40 thousand worshipers at the same time. Every year almost 6 million travelers come to see the Milan Cathedral.

19. Palace of Versailles (Versailles, France)

In the Paris suburb of Versailles, the French kings set up a luxurious residence with huge parks, magnificent gardens, fountains and statues. Now the Palace of Versailles has become a famous French museum exhibiting luxurious art exhibitions. The Palace of Versailles and its park complex are a place that attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world. Thus, according to data for 2008, approximately 5 million people visited the museums of Versailles, and twice as many vacationers exercise along the alleys of its parks.

20. Statue of Liberty (New York, USA)

Gifted by France for the United States' centenary, the Statue of Liberty fit so harmoniously into the picture of Manhattan that it became one of the main and recognizable landmarks of the entire United States. It was placed on a tiny island and turned towards Europe, as if welcoming emigrants sailing on ships from the Old World. This sculpture is viewed annually by over 4 million people.

21. Colosseum (Rome, Italy)

In addition to its now well-known name, the Colosseum is also called the Flavian Amphitheater. It is located in the very center of the Eternal City. It was the largest of the Roman amphitheaters built - its capacity was 50-80 thousand spectators who came here for a variety of entertainment: animal baiting, gladiatorial fights, executions of criminals and early Christians, entertainment shows, dramas, and other events. In modern Rome, the Colosseum attracts the most visitors - up to 4 million per year.

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22. Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Even before it was fully completed, the Sagrada Familia, a masterpiece of architecture by the great Antonio Gaudi, has become incredibly popular among tourists who rush to Barcelona from all over the world to enjoy its splendor. Over 3 million tourists come to the temple every year, which is almost 2 times the population of Barcelona itself. The tallest tower is expected to be 172 meters high and the temple, which is being built entirely through donations, is scheduled to be completed around 2026.

23. Angkor Wat (Angkor, Cambodia)

This is the name of the Cambodian temple complex, which was built as a Hindu temple during the existence of the Khmer Empire. At the moment it is considered the world's largest religious monument. The flow of tourists here began to grow in the early 90s of the last century, after the brutal tyranny of Pol Pot was ended in the country. So, if in 1993 the temple complex was visited by 7,650 people, then in 2012 over 2 million people had already visited here. Now it is the most visited attraction in this country.

24. Tower (London, United Kingdom)

The historic Tower Fortress is located in London on the left bank of the Thames, in the very heart of the English capital. It was built in the 11th century, and now it has become one of the country's most striking attractions and is protected by UNESCO. For example, in 2015, over 2.7 million tourists came to see the Tower.

25. Christ the Redeemer Statue (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Standing on the top of the 700-meter-high Corcovado cliff, the 30-meter-high statue of Christ the Redeemer (plus 8 meters of the pedestal) with its arms outstretched (28 meters) seems to be protecting the city spread out at its feet. It looks very impressive, so every year about 2 million tourists come to Rio de Janeiro to admire the city, but also the statue.