Do you know that since 2007, it has been decided that 7 new wonders of the world exist in the world heritage to revive tourism? Nope ! So why not get to know them on future trips…
The 7 wonders of the world were originally places located around the Mediterranean basin. Among them were:
Today, all of them have disappeared, except for the pyramid of Cheops at Giza in Egypt. 7 new wonders of the world have therefore been named and well deserve their name. Here they are, one by one.
The Taj Mahal of Agra is a huge mausoleum built by order of the fifth Muslim Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He wanted to pay tribute to his late wife who died in 1631. This jewel of Muslim art is decorated with floral motifs and calligraphy on white marble extracted 200 km from the place and transported by a thousand elephants. At sunrise, the Taj Mahal changes from powder pink to golden yellow and is reflected in the rectangular basin. Under its dome, Mumtaz and Shah Jahan rest for eternity. They are the symbol of love. When visiting this marvel, you will need to wear slippers. After discovering the mausoleums, you can admire the inner courtyard, the arcaded gardens, the marble terrace, the Small Museum housing a rare collection of celadon plates. Watch out for the many monkeys that come to try to steal items from you.
The Great Wall of China spans nearly 9,000 km and is 2,000 years old. It is the only human monument that can be seen from the moon. It was built to connect the already existing fortifications in order to protect the country from invasions. This wall is 4 to 5 meters high and sometimes 6 to 7 meters in certain strategic places. To visit it, it is better to go through Beijing and choose one of the three most popular sites which are Badaling, Simatai and Mutianyu. Badaling is the most preserved part and is only 70 km from the Chinese capital. You will be able to see sublime landscapes from this granite site rising 7 meters high.
The Colosseum in Rome is right in the heart of the Italian capital today. This immense Flavian amphitheater was built in the time of the Ancient Romans between 70 and 72 AD to celebrate the glory of their Empire. Ul was finished in 80 under Titus. Today, it is still a model for the construction of contemporary stadiums that were built on the same process. It could accommodate between 50,000 and 80,000 people and was used for wild animal fights and gladiator fights. Today, the Colosseum is a place of Catholic ceremonies and of visits by tourists from all over the world to see it. On its upper floor, a museum dedicated to Eros has been open for 10 years.
The Mayan city of Chichen Itza is the most emblematic Mayan city in Mexico. You can see the temple of Chac Mool, the pyramid of Kukulkan, the prisoners' playground or the Hotel of the Thousand Pillars which are still in good condition. Visiting the site is free, but it is advisable to start with the main pyramid. You will also see El Caracol the observatory, the platform of Venus, the sacred cenote Ik Kil which was the place of sacrifices as well as the Tzompanti which was the altar of the dead. This site is very visited and there are many people. It is better to go there in the off season and early in the morning.
Petra is a cave city located in southwestern Jordan near the Arabian Desert. The city was carved out of the stone of the mountains at heights ranging from 800 to 1,396 meters above sea level. Several peoples have inhabited it such as the Edomites, the Nabataeans, the Romans and the Byzantines. One of the major treasures of Petra is the Khazneh and its emblematic facade which you can see on all the documents talking about the city. It was the temple of the pharaohs built by the Nabataeans. Its carved elements are Egyptian and Assyrian. You can see the long, winding sandstone canyon as you arrive calling it the Siq. You will pass in front of the tombs of Gaia. At the end of the Siq, you will discover the Khazneh and the street of facades as well as the Urn Tomb, the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb and El Deir which is a monastery. Be sure to visit the High Place of Sacrifice or the Lion Fountain. To visit Petra, there are many organized tours.
The statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro is 38 meters high and towers over Corcovado mountain overlooking the magnificent Brazilian city and its bay. It was created by Frenchman Paul Landowski. It was installed on the mountain in 1922. Going to visit it, you will notice that the statue's left arm points north and its right arm points south. This is no coincidence, because this position was chosen so that Christ would be illuminated from the rising sun. Thus, Christ, holding a cross, blesses the city. By taking this tour, you will discover a 360° view from the terraces over Guanabara Bay, the beaches, the Sugar Loaf, the city and the Sierra dos Orgaos mountains. To visit this monumental statue and its environment, you can go there on foot, by the red funicular, by car, by minibus or by public transport.
It was in the 15th century that Emperor Pachacutec built the city in the clouds, which is now called Machu Picchu meaning old mountain. It is assumed that the Incas abandoned the place because of a strong smallpox epidemic before being exterminated by the conquistadors. The city then remained lost for more than 300 years. To visit this new wonder of the world, you must book many months in advance as it is a victim of its own success. You have three options through the Internet, at Machu Picchu Center in Aguas Calientes or at the National Institute of Culture in Cusco. It is then up to you to see how you want to get there, because you can get there on foot, by train, by bus and on foot or with the collectivo and on foot. Once there, you will have an extraordinary view of the valley, but especially of the city and some of its highlights such as Montana, the Inca Bridge on the mountainside, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb and the Royal Palace.
These seven new wonders of the world deserve their name as they are superb and unique in their kind. It tells here and there, across the planet, the story of man and his great artistic and mystical abilities. It is interesting to know them, but above all to preserve them.
