(CNN) — For the longest time (we're talking millennia here), we had the Seven Wonders of the World.
There was just one problem for the demanding 21st century travel set.
Except for the ever durable Great Pyramids of Egypt, the rest were nothing more than distant memories from a hazy history.
Want to see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon or the Colossus of Rhodes? You missed that boat by many centuries. A rendering in a book or online is the best you'll ever do.
The solution? In 2007, a global contest was held and more than 100 million votes were cast for the New Seven Wonders of the World.
And while many of them are very old, they're still here! These are durable destinations where we can actually go see the wonders -- and take a selfie for posterity.
Visit these seven magnificent sights, and you'll have checked off four continents on your travel list as well. Let's get started:
Chichen Itza (Mexico)
One of numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the list, the complex of Chichen Itza is the most famous symbol of the once mighty Mayan civilization. Archaeologists believe Chichen Itza emerged as a major economic and cultural center around 600 AD and grew for several centuries.
It was eventually abandoned and lost to nature in modern Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The ruins weren't uncovered until 1841, and it's only become a big tourist destination in recent decades.
The pyramid of El Castillo ("The Castle") is probably the best known structure of the once vast city.
Best time to go: Go early in the morning before it gets too hot and cruise ship passengers from Cancun arrive. People also go for spring and fall equinoxes for an unbelievable shadow show -- but expect huge crowds then.
Christ the Redeemer (Brazil)
The view from Christ the Redeemer is part of its appeal.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
By far the "baby" of this list, the Christ the Redeemer statue was finished in 1931 but has already taken its place in the pantheon of historic wonders. Standing 30 meters (98 feet) tall and outstretched arms spanning 28 meters (92 feet), the simple but mesmerizing white statue of Art Deco design has an amazing view over Rio de Janeiro.
It's one of the most magnificent meetings of natural and man-made beauty in the world.
Best time to go: Rio tends to be drier (better for those spectacular views) but also hotter in December through February. Afternoons have bigger crowds generally. Mornings are better for taking pictures of the statue; afternoons are better for taking pictures of the city panorama. Expect more people during weekends and Rio's Carnival.
Colosseum (Italy)
The world famous Colosseum is giving up its secrets, and some of them are colorful. CNN's Ben Wedeman reports.
Those Romans sure did enjoy their games -- gladiator fights, man vs. animal contests, chariot races and even mock naval battles. And say what you will about their entertainment choices, they built a Colosseum to last.
Emperor Vespasian ordered the construction around 71 AD, and it was dedicated in 80 AD during the rule of his son Titus. It held around 50,000 spectators and even had a retractable awning to shield Romans.
Given how quickly stadiums come and go in the modern age, it makes this feat of engineering all the more amazing. And this freestanding structure sits in the middle of a bustling, modern-day Rome.
Best time to go: You'll find fewer tourists there during Rome's low season (winter), weekdays and during the opening hour (8:30 a.m.) or near closing time (varies during time of year). If you show up in summer at midday, it's going to be hot!
Great Wall (China)
In the 1980s, Dong Yao-hui was part of the first three-man team to walk the entire length of China's Great Wall. Today, he's focused on its preservation.
The Great Wall began around 220 BC, and construction continued for millennia. Its purpose: Keep nomadic people to the north out of China. Eventually, it couldn't hold back the Mongols, who successfully invaded in the 13th century anyway and set up shop in what's now Beijing under the direction of Kublai Khan.
However, the Great Wall has turned out to be a great way to usher an invasion of tourists (and their money) into China in recent decades.
Stretching for 8,852 kilometers (5,500 miles) along the best-preserved Ming Dynasty portion of the superstructure, its travel appeal is obvious. In the words of UNESCO's page on the wall: It's "an outstanding example of the superb military architecture, technology and art of ancient China."
Best time to go: Plan for a spring or fall trip when the weather is nicer and fewer people visit. Summertime is often hot and crowded, and winter can be bitterly cold in northern China.
Machu Picchu (Peru)
Take a well earned mini break to the ancient wonder of Machu Picchu. Filmed by Alex Rosen.
Machu Picchu is the most isolated and challenging-to-reach of the New Seven Wonders of the World (among other things, you have to adjust to the high altitude of the Peruvian Andes).
But oh what rewards you'll find: the most splendid example of Incan architecture placed in a jaw-dropping landscape of tropical mountain forest. There are about 200 structures in this religious and agricultural center set on a steep ridge crisscrossed by terraces of stone.
Amazingly, it was in active use only a short time, historically speaking. The Inca built it in the 15th century, but it was abandoned after the Spanish invasion in the 16th century.
Best time go: Dry season, which runs April to October (though weather in the Andes is hard to predict). Peak crowds are June through August. Because of the fragile nature of the area, new ticketing rules limit the number of tourists at at any given time -- so you must book for a morning or afternoon slot.
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Petra (Jordan)
A Jordanian Bedouin sits on a camel in front of the Treasury Building in the ancient city of Petra in May 2016.
KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Set in modern-day Jordan's southwestern desert region between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, Petra was inhabited going back to prehistoric times.
People today may recognize it from the 1989 movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," but during the classical heydays of Greece and Rome, it was known as an important caravan stop between the Mediterranean and the Far East. By the 7th century AD, it was abandoned. But its desert location preserved much of it through the centuries
No wonder it mesmerizes visitors today -- its blend of Eastern and Hellenistic styles, half-built and half-carved into the natural red sandstone of the area, truly deserves the term "unique."
Best time to go: Summer can get very hot in Jordan, and winter is much colder than you may realize. Weatherwise, aim for spring or fall.
Taj Mahal (India)
Indian Muslims pray during the Eid al-Adha festival at the mosque inside the Taj Mahal in Agra on September 13, 2016.
CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Did you know the world-famous Taj Mahal is actually an incredibly elaborate tomb and an enduring symbol of love?
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ordered construction in 1632 as a monument to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The stunningly beautiful structure, considered the height of Indo-Islamic architecture, was completed in 1648.
The white marble structure is in Agra, about 212 kilometers (132 miles) south of India's capital, New Delhi.
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Best time to go: Late spring and early summer in this part of India has often brutal heat (but fewer crowds). Then come monsoons. November to February is your best chance for pleasant weather. The sunrises here are highly admired.
FAQs
What is special about the new seven wonders of the world? ›
Among the most notable is the stepped pyramid El Castillo (“The Castle”), which rises 79 feet (24 meters) above the Main Plaza. A testament to the Mayans' astronomical abilities, the structure features a total of 365 steps, the number of days in the solar year.
Which of the 7 new world wonders do you know? ›At present, as chosen by the New7Wonders Foundation, the Seven Wonders of the World are the Taj Mahal, the Colosseum, the Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Petra, and the Great Wall of China.
Which is the No 1 wonder in world? ›1. The Great Pyramid of Giza. Of all the ancient seven wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the one and only wonder that has survived to stand tall through thick and thin.
What is the name of 7 wonders? ›You've probably heard the phrase "Seven Wonders of the World" before. Maybe you can even name them. Need a refresher? Here they are: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum, the Temple of Artemis, and the Statue of Zeus.
Why is it called the new Seven Wonders of the World? ›These sites and monuments are popularly known as the “new Seven Wonders of the World,” modern additions to the ancient Seven Wonders laid out by Philo of Byzantium in 250 B.C., which included the hanging gardens of Babylon and the pyramids of Giza. (Of those ancient seven, only the pyramids remain.)
Why is it called 7 Wonders of the World? ›The number seven was chosen because the Greeks believed it represented perfection and plenty, and because it reflected the number of planets known in ancient times (five) plus the Sun and Moon.
How were the New 7 Wonders of the World selected? ›7 Wonders were chosen because the original list of Ancient Wonders, drawn up more than 2,000 years ago, contained 7 and because 7 has been shown time and time again to be the number of things that the average person can remember.
Where is the 8th wonder of the world? ›Niagara Falls, between the province of Ontario, Canada and the state of New York, United States.
How many of the original 7 Wonders still exist? ›Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only one — the Great Pyramids of Giza — still exists. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus have all faded to dust and memory.
Which is the famous site also one of the new seven wonders of the world answer? ›The new Seven Wonders of the world are- the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico,the pink ruins of Petra in Jordan and the Coliseum in Rome.
Why are the 7 wonders of the world important? ›
The amazing works of art and architecture known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World serve as a testament to the ingenuity, imagination and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. They are also, however, reminders of the human capacity for disagreement, destruction and, possibly, embellishment.
What are the original 7 natural wonders of the world? ›- Mount Everest. Mount Everest is renowned as the highest spot on earth, at 8,848.86 metres above sea level. ...
- Harbour of Rio de Janeiro. The famous Sugarloaf mountain sticks out of Guanabara Bay. ...
- Great Barrier Reef. ...
- Victoria Falls. ...
- Paricutin Volcano. ...
- Grand Canyon. ...
- Aurora Borealis.
One of the 7 wonders of the world !!! Eiffel tower is an iron tower situated on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It was named after the engineer Alexandar Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. It was constructed in 1889.
Is Niagara Falls a wonder of the world? ›While there is no 'official' seven wonders of the world list, Niagara Falls is commonly listed amongst various lists as a seventh wonder, as a candidate for the 'natural wonders of the world', or as an honorary 8th wonder of the world.
Is Taj Mahal removed from 7 Wonders? ›The Taj Mahal was built in 1648 by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his wife. Today, it is listed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, lost his wife Mumtaz Mahal on June 17, 1631.
Why are wonders of the world? ›Wonders of the World are the collection of outstanding creation of human from classical antiquity to Modern World. These buildings or structures witness the whole span of human history, from the earliest time that Man began to make his mark upon the Earth.
Who decided the Seven Wonders? ›These Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were originally chosen by Hellenic travelers passing through Persian, Babylonian, and Egyptian lands. They made careful note of these structures in travel guides, artwork, and poems.
How many natural wonders of the world are there? ›These 7 natural wonders of the world include the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin, Mount Everest, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Victoria Falls, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Which one of the new Seven Wonders of the modern world do you like the most Why? ›Chichen Itza (Mexico) chichen Itza is Mexico's most visited archaeological site and it's also of the most famous wonders of the modern world. This ancient city was built by the Maya civilization with in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula between the 8th and 10 th centuries.
When were the 7 Wonders of the World built? ›| Name | Date of construction | Builders |
|---|---|---|
| Mausoleum at Halicarnassus | 351 BC | Greeks, Persians, Carians (Satyros and Pythius of Priene) |
| Colossus of Rhodes | 292–280 BC | Greeks (Chares of Lindos) |
| Lighthouse of Alexandria | c. 280 BC | Greeks, Ptolemaic Egyptians |
Did the 7 wonders of the world exist? ›
Today only one of the original wonders still exists, and there is doubt that all seven ever existed, but the concept of the wonders of the world has continued to excite and fascinate people everywhere for centuries.
Are there 7 or 8 wonders of the world? ›The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (from left to right, top to bottom): Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (also known as the Mausoleum of Mausolus), Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria as depicted ...
Is Eiffel Tower in 7 Wonders of the World? ›Eiffel Tower Overview
The most enthralling allurement in Paris is the Eiffel Tower; the quintessential monument which finds its place among the Seven Wonders of the World.
- Mount Everest. Mount Everest is renowned as the highest spot on earth, at 8,848.86 metres above sea level. ...
- Harbour of Rio de Janeiro. The famous Sugarloaf mountain sticks out of Guanabara Bay. ...
- Great Barrier Reef. ...
- Victoria Falls. ...
- Paricutin Volcano. ...
- Grand Canyon. ...
- Aurora Borealis.
Of the original Seven Wonders of the World, only one — the Great Pyramids of Giza — still exists. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus have all faded to dust and memory.
Which is the 8th wonder? ›Niagara Falls, between the province of Ontario, Canada and the state of New York, United States.
Who decided 7 Wonders of the World? ›These Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were originally chosen by Hellenic travelers passing through Persian, Babylonian, and Egyptian lands. They made careful note of these structures in travel guides, artwork, and poems.
Is Niagara Falls a wonder of the world? ›While there is no 'official' seven wonders of the world list, Niagara Falls is commonly listed amongst various lists as a seventh wonder, as a candidate for the 'natural wonders of the world', or as an honorary 8th wonder of the world.
Is the Statue of Liberty a 7 wonders? ›The Statue of Liberty is not one of the seven wonders of the world. The classic Seven Wonders of the World are Great Pyramid of Giza, Colossus of Rhodes, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
Is Machu Picchu a 7 Wonders of the World? ›More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. A symbol of the Incan Empire and built around 1450AD, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Is Golden Temple one of the Seven Wonders? ›
Golden Temple, Amritsar
Also called Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple of Amritsar deserves a place among the seven wonders of India. Made of marble, the two-storeyed structure is plated with 24-karat gold—everything including its domes, doors, and walls is gilded.
These 7 natural wonders of the world include the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin, Mount Everest, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Victoria Falls, and the Great Barrier Reef. Many of these naturally-formed displays require an aerial view to capture the vastness of each phenomenon.
Why do you wonder at the things in nature? ›Answer. Nature itself a wonder, the ways it balances every sinlge Being on earth ,at exact time, distance and speed , even the way we can breadth is itself a wonder . We all are itself nothing but a wonder of nature.
What is the meaning of natural wonder? ›What is a natural wonder? The definition of a natural wonder is that it must clearly be a natural site or monument that was not made by or altered by humans. All seven of this list are still in existence today and remind us to protect and care for these and all other natural places on the planet.
Why 7 Wonders are called wonders? ›The amazing works of art and architecture known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World serve as a testament to the ingenuity, imagination and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. They are also, however, reminders of the human capacity for disagreement, destruction and, possibly, embellishment.
Is the Great Wall of China a wonder of the world? ›The Great Wall was declared as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. UNESCO acknowledged it as the largest man-made structure on Earth. The wall is made out of a variety of materials, including stone, brick, rammed earth, and wood.
Is Taj Mahal removed from 7 Wonders? ›The Taj Mahal was built in 1648 by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his wife. Today, it is listed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, lost his wife Mumtaz Mahal on June 17, 1631.