The Great Wall of China
The world's longest man-made structure, the wall snakes across northern China for around 6,400 kilometers and was first constructed to protect the northern borders of the Chinese empire from invaders. First built in the 5th century BC, it was added to by following dynasties up until the 16th century.
Petra
Lying in the Jordanian valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba, the site of Petra is famed for its many red-hued buildings carved into the very rock. The Monastery, as the site's oldest structure, dates back to the first century BC, and was devoted to the Nabataean god, Obodas.
Christ the Redeemer
Overlooking the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Mt. Corcovado, the statue of Christ the Redeemer has become famed as one of the strongest symbols of Christianity. Standing 32 meters tall, it was commissioned in 1921 by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.
Machu Picchu
Nestled in the Peruvian mountains, the 600-year-old city of Machu Picchu has captured the imagination of the world since being brought to fame by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Lying at the heart of the former Incan Empire, Machu Picchu escaped detection and destruction from the Spanish conquistadors, allowing it to remain relatively well-preserved.
Chichen Itza
Built in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, the site of Chichen Itza was an important economic and political center of the Maya civilization. Rising to prominence in around 600AD, Chichen Itza is characterized by its famous multi-tiered ziggurat.
Colosseum
The only European representative in the New Wonders, the Colosseum is perhaps the most poignant reminder of the former glory of the Roman Empire. Built in the center of the Italian capital, the amphitheatre was completed in 80AD and used for gladiatorial game and other public spectacles.
Taj Mahal
Considered one of the finest monuments to love in the world, the Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in 1648. Its shimmering white marble has entranced visitors for centuries while legend states that a slight fault in the curvature of its dome was made deliberately since Islamic faith states only Allah can create perfection on Earth.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui and Chris Dalby, July 9, 2007)
