10 Must-See Famous Landmarks Around The World

We live in a wonderful world filled with so many famous landmarks around us. These are incredible, and each show and represent its own architecture, culture, beliefs and mystery. These amazing landmarks have been celebrated and admired for centuries. It’s time for us to explore and learn what some of these awe-inspiring landmarks are all about. These incredible landmarks will remind us what we have achieved as human beings through time. So if you’re planning to travel around the world anytime soon, make sure to include one or more of these must-see famous landmarks of the world on your itinerary. It will surely make your trip worthwhile.

Famous Landmarks of The World

Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery – Paro Valley, Bhutan

Taktshang Tiger’s Nest Monastery Bhutan | (cc) Photo By Stephen Shephard

Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery is an amazing landmark of the world due to its location. The monastery is perched on a high granite cliff overlooking the northern Paro Valley. The monastery is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in Bhutan and the Himalayan region. Built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, it is a true architectural and cultural wonder. To reach the top, there are three options: hike for 2 hours uphill, ride a rented horse, or ride on the back of the magic flying tigress as the legends say. Not sure if the last option is still available though. Once at the top, you will have to get used to the smell of burning incense and the crowded praying devotees. Remember there is no photography, only to experience the breathtaking scenery. It is definitely well worth the effort and time to reach the Tiger’s Nest Monestary.

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China | (cc) Photo By Samxli

One of the iconic landmarks around the world is definitely the Great Wall of China. Like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall goes up and down through grasslands, mountains and deserts stretching approximately 8851.8km. The Great Wall is one the greatest wonders of the world, and is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This wall started being built over 2,000 years ago that represents the main parts of Chinese history, and has a profound influence on modern day China. Most might think that the Great Wall is a product of wars, but ironically that is not the case. It in fact represents peace rather than war. The wall was built to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions. The wall connects culture, economy and philosophy. It stands for power despite all bitter conditions it has witnessed. Of all the famous landmarks around the world, what grabs our attention is its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Rock Houses – Cappadocia, Turkey

Rock Houses Cappadocia, Turkey | (cc) Photo By Mila Zinkova

There are places most of us would have never guessed existed. The rock houses in Cappadocia, Turkey is definitely one of those amazing places in the world. These rock houses are so extraordinary, it’s a meeting place where artistic splendor and human resources come together. For many of us, this looks so foreign that it could be an alien world. The soaring rock formations, uniquely shaped landscapes, mysterious underground cities and rock cut churches seems more like one of the mysterious places on earth rather than one of the famous landmarks. Some of these buildings go up to five stories high and date back to Roman times or even beyond. It is said that these were built for defense and shelter. The narrow pathways have made it difficult for invaders to come and eventually get lost in these underground cave complexes. Due to the great temperature controlled nature inside, many of the religious artifacts and artwork have survived for over thousand years. The rock houses in Cappadocia are so spectacular, miraculous and a natural wonder making it one of the most interesting places on the planet.

Machu Picchu – Cusco Region, Peru

Machu Picchu Peru | (cc) Photo By Charlesjsharp

Most of us think it’s a gateway when they hear Machu Picchu. Well, it is but the truth is that this city is so much more. Cusco is home to its own archaeological treasures, as the city was once the most significant in the Incan empire. The Mach Picchu is considered one of the best landmarks of the world. It s located 2,430 meters above sea level and situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley. Unknown to the outside world until the Americas historian Hiram Bingham founded it in 1911, this place was never a tourist site. Today, it has become an important tourist attraction in Peru that attracts many for its Inca style architecture with polished dry stone walls. The classical style structures are the Intihuatana (Hitching post of the Sun), the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. All these and more can be experienced while you capture the mountain air and get a glimpse of the backdrop of this ancient city. No doubt that this one of the must-see famous landmarks of the world.

Temple of the Tooth – Kandy, Sri Lanka

Temple of the Tooth – Kandy, Sri Lanka | (cc) Photo By Nataraja

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the hill country of Kandy in Sri Lanka. This is one of the famous landmarks of Asia and the world. It is also a center for Buddhist faith. The stunning 17th-century Temple of the Tooth houses the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This is why the Temple of the Tooth is considered one of the famous landmarks of the world and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. This precious relic attracts pilgrims from all around the country bearing lotus flowers dressed every day. You can witness the relic when it is brought out for special occasions and paraded on the backs of elephants, which are sacred to the Buddha.

Moai – Easter Island, Chile

Moai Chile | (cc) Photo By Ian Sewell

If there was a place to be amazed about, it would surely be the Easter Island in Chile. It is one of the famous landmarks of the world for its vibrant & rich color landscape and stone giants. Besides the name Easter Island, the island had eight other names before. Among them are Te Pito O Te Henua and Mata Ki Te Rangi. This island has a native population of 4 thousand people and has the richest and absolutely unique mythology behind it. The famous attraction here is the moai statues or the stone giants. Theses statues are made from solidified volcanic ash and go up to 20 meters tall and each weigh about 20 tons. Moai statues stand in silence but speak volumes about the achievements of their creators. There are total of 997 moai statues on Easter Island. Just remember that the locals are very concerned about these statues and its safety. So careful not to harm them in any way. Today, Easter Island remains one of the most unique places you will ever encounter. It’s an open air museum showcasing a fascinating, but unfortunately lost culture – making it one of the must-see famous landmarks of the world.

Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England

Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge is an awe-inspiriting place located near the countryside of Wiltshire. This Prehistoric stone circle monument, cemetery, and archaeological site is one of the famous landmarks around the world, which everyone has heard of, if not have witnessed it with their own eyes. This is one of the places to see in England. May wonder if this famous monument is a temple for sun worship, a healing center, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar. How did our ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from so far away. Whichever the answer may be, this iconic landmark took more than thirty million hours of labor to construct. Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress. There is no question that being one of the famous landmarks of the world, Stonehenge is surly Britain’s great national icon, symbolizing mystery, power and endurance.

Petra – Ma’an Governorate, Jordan

The Monastery – Petra, Jordan | (cc) Photo By Berthold Werner

Petra is an ancient historical city located in Ma’an Governorate, Jordan of the Arab world. Petra is known for its unique architecture, with buildings that are carved into the rock of the mountains combining ancient Eastern tradition and Hellenistic architecture. The archaeological site consists of the remains of temples, tombs, amphitheater cut into the hills and copper mines, which date back to the fourth millennium BC. This is one of the wonders of the world, one of the famous landmarks in our world, a UNESCO site and a true masterpiece of human engineering. Being one of the famous landmarks of the world, you will no doubt enjoy the contrasting landscapes, desserts and valleys as well as the remnants of man’s history though the historic site all around.

Taj Mahal – Agra, India

Taj Mahal – Agra, India

The Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India. As the legends go, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Being one of the ‘seven’ wonders of the world this architectural beauty is beyond description. Its use of the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements is amazing. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees. The Taj stands on a raised, square platform with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. At sunset and dawn, the Taj seems to glow in the light. This is why millions flock here every day to see this magnificent and iconic wonder of love.

Underwater Museum – Cancun, Mexico

Cancun Underwater Museum – Mexico

Heading down to Cancun? Don’t miss the new underwater sculpture garden ‘Silent Evolution’ created by renowned sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor. Cancun Underwater Museum is one of the largest underwater museums on the planet, making it one of the famous landmarks of the world. This amazing underwater exhibit features more than 450 life-size statues and covers an area of more than 150 square meters. The sculptures sit on the seafloor under the water that’s only 28-feet deep, making it ideal for divers and snorkelers alike. Each sculpture has its own meaning such as ‘The Dream Collector’, ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘The Silent Evolution’. As the underwater museum grows, the marine life grows as well. What is amazing is that the appearance of the sculptures will change over time as the coral grows and marine life colonizes the structures. There are local and international artist’s contribution of art work that is submerged under water celebrating the Arts and Science. The aim of this museum is to give Cancun’s reef areas a much needed rest so they can recuperate from hurricane damage from years ago.

What famous landmarks around the world have you seen so far?