When people talk about “the 7 Wonders of the World” today, they’re usually referring to the New7Wonders of the World — a modern list chosen by public vote in 2007, distinct from the ancient list compiled by Greek scholars over 2,000 years ago (of which only the Great Pyramid of Giza still stands). Here’s a look at both lists and what makes each wonder worth the trip.
The New 7 Wonders (Modern List)
1. The Great Wall of China — China
Stretching thousands of kilometers across northern China, the Great Wall was built over centuries by successive dynasties to defend against invasions. Sections near Beijing, like Badaling and Mutianyu, are the most visited and best preserved for tourists today.
2. Petra — Jordan
An ancient city carved directly into rose-colored sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. Its most famous structure, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), is reached through a narrow gorge called the Siq, making the approach as memorable as the destination itself.
3. Christ the Redeemer — Brazil
This towering Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ overlooks Rio de Janeiro from atop Corcovado Mountain. Completed in 1931, it stands about 30 meters tall (38 meters including its pedestal) and offers sweeping views of the city and Guanabara Bay.
4. Machu Picchu — Peru
A 15th-century Inca citadel perched high in the Andes Mountains, rediscovered by the outside world in 1911. Its dry-stone construction, terraced fields, and dramatic mountaintop setting make it one of the most photographed archaeological sites on Earth.
5. Chichén Itzá — Mexico
A major city of the ancient Maya civilization on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Its centerpiece, the step pyramid known as El Castillo, is famous for the shadow illusion of a serpent descending its staircase during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
6. The Colosseum — Italy
The largest amphitheater ever built, completed around 80 AD in the heart of Rome. It once hosted gladiator contests and public spectacles for tens of thousands of spectators, and remains one of the most visited ancient monuments in the world.
7. The Taj Mahal — India
A white marble mausoleum in Agra, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Completed around 1653, it’s celebrated as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and a global symbol of devotion.
The Original Ancient 7 Wonders
The classical list, compiled by ancient Greek writers, included: the Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt), the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Of these, only the Great Pyramid of Giza survives today — the rest were lost to earthquakes, fires, and the passage of time.
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