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17 Man-Made Wonders Every Traveler Must Experience Once In Their Life
In a world bursting with wonders crafted by human hands, who wouldn’t be tempted to explore the spectacle of man-made attractions? From ancient relics cloaked in mystery to gleaming modern marvels, these creations showcase our boundless imagination and engineering prowess.
Sure, some are centuries old, steeped in history and architectural genius, while others are hot off the construction press, flaunting the latest technological breakthroughs. Such diversity in human creativity can dazzle and boggle the mind…unless, of course, you’re not into being awestruck by the fingerprints of ingenuity.
But whatever your interest level in human triumph over stone, steel, and glass, these sites handily blend fantasy and reality. And if you love exploring the world around you, they should be added to your bucket list ASAP.
Potala Palace, Tibet
Perched in the clouds, the Potala Palace somehow makes even oxygen feel optional. This beautiful palace is an exercise in grandeur and altitude, if ever I saw one, standing at 12,139 feet above sea level.
Visitors huff and puff in reverence, not just from thin air, but from its historical significance as the former residence of the Dalai Lama. And if you can believe it, the palace hosts over 10,000 shrines and a hearty collection of over 200,000 statues and ancient relics.
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Ancient history enthusiasts, rejoice! The Pyramids of Giza aren’t just oversized sandcastles; they’re monumental feats of engineering with stones heavier than your existential dread.
The Great Pyramid alone was the tallest man-made structure for a whopping 3,800 years (take that, Burj Khalifa). Built as elaborate tombs, these pyramids leave us pondering whether aliens lent a hand with construction or if the Egyptian workforce simply preferred heavy lifting to, oh, say, pottery.
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, China
Step onto the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge if you’ve ever secretly desired to recreate the heart-pounding scene of a gazillion feet above the ground without the aid of special effects.
Located over China’s stunning Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, this bridge isn’t just making knees wobble – it’s also breaking records. Yep, it’s the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. So, remember to bring your courage alongside your camera for this transparent escapade.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The sprawling temple complex of Angkor Wat is not just about its size – it’s a testament to Khmer genius that would make even the most diligent DIY enthusiast throw in the towel.
Built in the 12th century, it’s astonishingly aligned with the sun during the equinox. And this extraordinary design detail showcases the mystical connection between earthly and celestial realms, leaving tourists in awe as they explore every nook and cranny of this ancient site.
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Every visit to Christ the Redeemer is a test of your photobombing patience, resting atop the Corcovado mountain like a sentinel of selfies. This iconic statue showcases more than just artistic prowess…it’s also a symbol of peace, stretching 98 feet without breaking a sweat.
Interestingly, Christ the Redeemer was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. So besides squeezing into the frame with strangers, you can also boast about visiting a truly global phenomenon.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Peeking out from the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu lures intrepid travelers and selfie-takers alike as it sits like a mystical alpine enigma. And this Incan citadel, concealed by clouds for centuries, isn’t just a weekend warrior’s hiking dream.
It’s actually thought to have been a royal estate or sacred retreat for the Incan emperor. Keep your camera ready and your Fitbit charged, because you’ll be climbing a lot of steps ostensibly built for royals with seriously good calves.
Futuroscope, France
In the realm of futuristic theme parks, Futuroscope takes a surreal approach, with attractions veering between high-tech fantasy and science lessons your high school teacher could only dream of. Sporting a peculiar design resembling alien spacecraft, this park offers a mix of virtual reality experiences and mind-bending rides.
A tip for you thrill-seekers out there: Futuroscope is home to the Gyrotron, a ride that tosses you in every direction, blending vertigo with giggles.
Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan
Have you ever been amazed by a building that seems to flow like a dance? The Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by the ever-so-modest Zaha Hadid, is that structure, sans straight lines and corners. It embodies movement and fluidity…much like my excuses for skipping gym day.
This architectural design also won the Design Museum’s Design of the Year Award in 2014, proving that curves can most definitely outshine edges (and also proving it is sometimes necessary to use the word “design” multiple times in a sentence).
Great Wall of China, China
The Great Wall of China is a demonstration of human ambition and determination, stretching across the landscape like the world’s most relentless game of Snake. Masterfully constructed over centuries to thwart invaders (and perhaps overzealous tourists), this iconic structure spans approximately 13,171 miles.
And contrary to popular belief, it’s not actually visible from space. But let’s face it, it’s still impressive enough to give you a fantastic workout (and photographs).
Burj Khalifa, UAE
If you’re into colossal feats of engineering, meet the Burj Khalifa in Dubai – a vertigo-inducing building for those with a love of heights. This skyscraper reaches an astonishing 2,722 feet, posing like a shiny needle piercing the sky.
In fact, the building is so tall that residents on the upper floors can still see the sunset three minutes after the ground level falls into darkness. Now that’s a view worth climbing for if you ask me!
Tokyo Tower, Japan
In the land of rising gadgets, the Tokyo Tower stands tall, a giant candy-colored Eiffel Tower clone that’s been watching over Japan since 1958. And besides being a communication powerhouse, this red-and-white icon offers a panoramic view of the bustling Tokyo metropolis and beyond.
One fun fact for you: the Tokyo Tower occasionally gets a costume upgrade, dazzling the skyline with themed illuminations for seasonal events or national celebrations. Lights, camera, Tokyo!
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan’s rock-cut city, whispers tales of the Nabataeans with every pink-hued stone. Carved meticulously into sheer cliffs, it doesn’t just double as a movie backdrop for Indiana Jones…it’s also a full-blown archaeological marvel.
The Treasury, Al-Khazneh, stands as its star attraction, inviting visitors to uncover its secrets. Did you know Petra had a sophisticated water management system? It included dams and cisterns, ensuring that the city thrived in the arid desert.
Stonehenge, England
Mysterious, majestic, and possibly built by time-traveling rock deities, Stonehenge sits in England’s green plains, looking like a prehistoric jigsaw puzzle. The ancient stone circle continues to bewilder historians with its purpose.
Was it a ceremonial site, an astronomical calendar, or an ancient version of “Home Improvement”? Regardless, turns out some of the stones (bluestones) traveled over 150 miles from Wales…proving that even 5,000 years ago, people loved a challenging home renovation project.
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Chichen Itza is a dazzling relic of ancient ingenuity, with the iconic El Castillo pyramid showcasing the calendar system of the Mayans. Designed with precision, it has 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Who knew a pyramid could keep better track of time than my phone?
And get this: during the equinoxes, a shadow serpent slithers down the steps, a testament to both the Mayan’s brilliance and theatrical flair.
The Vessel, New York, USA
Rising in the heart of New York City, the Vessel is a giant beehive on steroids, inviting all who dare to climb its 154 flights of stairs. Its design consists of 2,500 steps, which together span roughly one mile of vertical climb…a fitness challenge and selfie paradise rolled into one metallic maze.
You could certainly say that on a warm summer day, this man-made wonder offers a workout that’s a real sweat-inducing affair.
Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
Our last historic site is the ancient ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, where history left its footprints in baked bricks and remarkably well-planned urban layouts. This prehistoric location was built around 2500 BC and boasted advanced drainage systems and organized streets. Just imagine a city grid more organized than my sock drawer!
And the Mohenjo-Daro’s Great Bath was probably an ancient public swimming pool, offering cleansing dips far before spa days became a trend.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Gardens by the Bay is a botanical spectacle straight out of a sci-fi novel. With its towering Supertree Grove, it’s like Avatar meets horticulture. And these vertical gardens aren’t just eye candy; they harness solar energy, collect rainwater, and even mimic the natural ecological processes of a rainforest.
The Flower Dome holds the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest glass greenhouse, housing an impressive variety of plants from every continent.
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