My worldwide bucket list would simply be incomplete without the champions of most travel bucket lists: the Seven Wonders of the World. Below you can find the New Wonders of the World, including The Colosseum, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Petra in Jordan, and Chichen Itza, in the order that I most desire to see them. It’s time to explore why these travel landmarks hold the highest status in all the world.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy (Built AD 72-82)

Among one of the most known Wonders of the World, The Colosseum in Rome, Italy has a remarkable appearance and contains monuments such as the Pantheon, The Mausoleums of Augustus and Hadrian, the Forums, and more. According to UNESCO World Heritage Center, Rome has been linked with the history of humanity, and with Rome being the capital of the Roman Republic and Empire, it has evolved to become the spiritual capital of Christianity.

Machu Picchu, Peru (Build mid-15 century AD)

Situated in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu is one of the most well known New Seven Wonders of the World. According to World Wildlife, the site was constructed around 1450 AD as part of the Incan Empire. It contains 150 buildings and over 100 flights of separate stairs. Translated from the Quechua language, Machu Picchu means, “Old Mountain” or “Old Peak.” Unlike other Inca structures, Machu Picchu’s hidden location allowed for it to be preserved even throughout the Spanish Conquest. 

The Great Wall of China (Built 220 BC to 1644 AD)

The Great Wall of China was declared one of the new world wonders in 2007. According to CGTN News, the Chinese call the wall “Chang Cheng” which directly translates to “long wall.” It has been named the largest manmade structure by UNESCO, and it spans a total of 21,196.18 km, or 13170 miles. It is recommended to tour sections of the wall that are in or near Beijing, and the Badaling section is one of the most popular. In order to maximize the experience, I would want to climb one of the hundreds of watch towers on the wall in order to see a breathtaking view. 

The Taj Mahal, India (Built 1632-1648 AD)

The Taj Mahal is located in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh, India. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Center, it was created under the ruler Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and it was constructed during the years 1632-1648. It is one of the most fascinating Indo-Islamic architectural achievements, comprising a tomb, main gate, garden, guest house, mosque, and more. The white marble structure is truly a jewel of Muslim art.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Built 1926-1931)

The Christ the Redeemer statue is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and it is the youngest of the New Seven Wonders of the World. According to History Daily, the statue was designed and built in the 1920s with a focus on the art deco style. It’s open arms measure 92 feet across, and they are said to represent Christ’s acceptance and openness of all. The stunning statue pays tribute to Brazil’s Catholic heritage. 

 Petra, Jordan (Built 4 Century BC-2 Century AD)

According to UNESCO World Heritage Center, Petra is a city half-built, half-carved into rocks that is surrounded by the mountainous areas of present day Jordan. It was a central location connecting Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Phoenicia, and it sits in between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. It was a capital city of the Nabateans and major caravan center for trading. Across history, it has become known as the “Lost city of Petra.” 

Chichen Itza, Mexico (Built 5-13 century AD)

Chichen Itza is a pre-hispanic cultural site found in Mexico. It is evidence of the beautiful ancient city that the Mayans created as the center of their empire, according to National Geographic. The step pyramid, known as the Temple of Kukulkan and El Castillo, symbolizes the Mayans astonishing accomplishments in the field of astronomy. There are 365 steps to resemble the days in the calendar year. Furthermore, the steps were designed so that during the fall and spring equinoxes, a snake shadow falls down the stairs until it meets a stone serpent head at the base of the pyramid.