The Seven Wonders of the World x 7

If you are dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to celebrate a milestone birthday or cross off a bucket list goal, you’ve probably heard the phrase “The Seven Wonders of the World.” But what exactly are these must-see marvels, and which ones should be at the top of your travel itinerary?

From ancient ruins lost to time to modern architectural masterpieces and breathtaking natural wonders, the Seven Wonders come in different lists, each showcasing the most extraordinary destinations on the planet.

Whether you’re a history buff, adventure seeker, or nature lover, these iconic landmarks offer experiences you’ll never forget.

So, which Seven Wonders should you see first?

In this guide, you will find

1. The New Seven Wonders of the World 🌍 (Chosen in 2007)
2. The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World 🏛 (Historical marvels, mostly lost)
3. The Seven Natural Wonders of the World 🌄 (Earth’s most awe-inspiring sites)
4. The Seven Engineering Wonders 🏗 (Greatest feats of human ingenuity)
5. The Seven Underwater Wonders 🌊 (Marine and oceanic wonders)
6. The Seven Surreal Places on Earth 🌌 (Dreamlike, otherworldly locations)
7. Seven More Must-See Modern Marvels 🏆 (Unforgettable Destinations)

Let’s dive into the lists that have captured the imagination of travellers for centuries.

The New Seven Wonders of the World (Modern Wonders – 2007 List)

These were chosen through a global poll by the New7Wonders Foundation.

1. Great Wall of China 🇨🇳 – An awe-inspiring ancient fortification stretching over 13,000 miles.
2. Petra 🇯🇴 – The “Rose City” of Jordan, carved into rock by the Nabataeans.
3. Christ the Redeemer 🇧🇷 – The towering statue of Jesus overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
4. Machu Picchu 🇵🇪 – The breathtaking Incan citadel hidden in the Andes mountains.
5. Chichen Itza 🇲🇽 – A spectacular Mayan pyramid and cultural site in Mexico.
6. Colosseum 🇮🇹 – The grand amphitheatre in Rome, a masterpiece of ancient engineering.
7. Taj Mahal 🇮🇳 – A white marble mausoleum symbolizing eternal love in India.

The Original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Lost Wonders)

Only one remains today; the rest are lost to history.

1. Great Pyramid of Giza 🇪🇬 (Still Standing) – The last surviving wonder, a stunning feat of ancient Egyptian engineering.
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon 🇮🇶 (Lost) – A mythical garden said to be an oasis in the desert.
3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia 🇬🇷 (Lost) – A massive gold and ivory statue of Zeus in Greece.
4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus 🇹🇷 (Lost) – A grand temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis in Turkey.
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus 🇹🇷 (Lost) – A monumental tomb built for Mausolus, a Persian satrap.
6. Colossus of Rhodes 🇬🇷 (Lost) – A towering bronze statue guarding the Greek island of Rhodes.
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria 🇪🇬 (Lost) – One of the tallest structures of the ancient world, guiding sailors into Egypt’s harbour.

The Seven Natural Wonders of the World

These were selected based on their natural beauty and significance.

1. Grand Canyon 🇺🇸 – A breathtaking canyon carved by the Colorado River.
2. Great Barrier Reef 🇦🇺 – The world’s largest coral reef system, teeming with marine life.
3. Mount Everest 🇳🇵 🇨🇳 – The highest peak on Earth, an ultimate challenge for climbers.
4. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) 🌎 – A magical display of glowing colours in the polar night sky.
5. Parícutin Volcano 🇲🇽 – The youngest volcano in the world, it emerged in a farmer’s field in 1943.
6. Victoria Falls 🇿🇲 🇿🇼 – One of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in the world.
7. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷 – A stunning natural bay framed by lush mountains and famous landmarks.

The Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World

Recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

1. Channel Tunnel 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 – The underground rail tunnel connecting England and France.
2. CN Tower 🇨🇦 – A once-record-breaking tower offering incredible views of Toronto.
3. Empire State Building 🇺🇸 – The legendary skyscraper that defined the NYC skyline.
4. Golden Gate Bridge 🇺🇸 – One of the world’s most famous suspension bridges in San Francisco.
5. Itaipu Dam 🇧🇷 🇵🇾 – A massive hydroelectric dam providing power to Brazil and Paraguay.
6. Panama Canal 🇵🇦 – An engineering marvel allowing ships to cross between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
7. Hoover Dam 🇺🇸 – A historic dam that supplies power and water to the American Southwest.

The Seven Underwater Wonders of the World

For those who love the ocean and marine beauty.

1. Great Barrier Reef 🇦🇺 – The world’s most famous and biodiverse coral reef.
2. Belize Barrier Reef 🇧🇿 – A stunning underwater paradise and UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Galápagos Islands 🇪🇨 – A unique marine sanctuary home to endemic species.
4. Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents 🌎 – Mysterious, life-supporting vents at the bottom of the ocean.
5. Northern Red Sea 🌍 – One of the most vibrant and colourful marine ecosystems.
6. Lake Baikal 🇷🇺 – The deepest and oldest freshwater lake on Earth, holding 20% of the world’s fresh water.
7. Palau’s Jellyfish Lake 🇵🇼 – A lake filled with millions of harmless, golden jellyfish.

The Seven Most Surreal Places on Earth

Uniquely bizarre locations that feel otherworldly.

1. Salar de Uyuni 🇧🇴 – The world’s largest salt flat that turns into a giant mirror when wet.
2. Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain 🇵🇪 – A natural mountain with colourful stripes.
3. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park 🇨🇳 – The inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar.
4. Waitomo Glowworm Caves 🇳🇿 – Caves illuminated by thousands of bioluminescent glowworms.
5. Pamukkale 🇹🇷 – Cotton-like white terraces formed by mineral-rich hot springs.
6. Antelope Canyon 🇺🇸 – A stunning, wave-like slot canyon in Arizona.
7. Socotra Island 🇾🇪 – A remote island with alien-looking dragon’s blood trees and bizarre landscapes.

Seven More Must-See Modern Marvels

For a truly complete list of must-visit sites.

1. Burj Khalifa 🇦🇪 – The tallest building in the world, standing at 828 meters.
2. Leshan Giant Buddha 🇨🇳 – A massive stone-carved Buddha overlooking a river.
3. Neuschwanstein Castle 🇩🇪 – A fairy tale castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
4. Shibuya Crossing 🇯🇵 – The busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, a Tokyo icon.
5. Lake Maracaibo Lightning (Everlasting Storm) 🇻🇪 – A place where lightning strikes almost every night of the year.
6. Ha Long Bay 🇻🇳 – A mesmerizing bay with thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.
7. Easter Island Moai Statues 🇨🇱 – Mysterious stone heads scattered across an isolated island.

The Seven Wonders of the World, in all their different forms, serve as reminders of the greatness of human ambition, the power of nature, and the mysteries of history.

No matter which wonders you choose to visit, one thing is certain, each of them has the power to leave you in awe and how naturally beautiful our world is.