7 Wonders of the World

Chosen in 2007 through a global public poll by the New7Wonders Foundation, the New Seven Wonders of the World represent humanity's greatest architectural and cultural achievements across continents and millennia. Here is your guide to all seven — what they are, where they are, and why they matter.

The New Seven Wonders of the World

#	Wonder	Location	Built
1	The Great Wall of China	China	7th century BCE – 16th century CE
2	The Colosseum	Rome, Italy	70–80 CE
3	Petra	Jordan	4th century BCE
4	Machu Picchu	Peru	15th century CE
5	Taj Mahal	Agra, India	1632–1653 CE
6	Chichen Itza	Yucatan, Mexico	5th–13th century CE
7	Christ the Redeemer	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	1926–1931 CE

The Great Wall of China

The longest wall in human history — over 21,000 kilometres across northern China — built across multiple dynasties as a defensive barrier against nomadic invasions. Its most famous sections near Beijing were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). A symbol of civilisational ambition without parallel.

The Taj Mahal — India's Crown Jewel

Built 1632-1653 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is widely considered the world's most perfect building. White marble that changes colour through the day — from pale dawn pink to brilliant midday white to warm sunset gold. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most photographed structure on Earth.

Machu Picchu — City in the Clouds

Built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century at 2,430 metres above sea level in Peru's Andes, Machu Picchu is a masterpiece of engineering, architecture, and urban planning. Rediscovered by the West in 1911, it is Peru's most visited destination and one of the world's most photographed landscapes.

Petra — The Rose-Red City

Carved directly into rose-coloured sandstone cliffs by the Nabataean people over 2,000 years ago, Petra in Jordan is extraordinary. Its iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is familiar from films, but Petra extends far beyond — temples, royal tombs, a Byzantine church, a Roman colonnade street.

A Bucket List for the Ages

Each of the Seven Wonders rewards its visitor in ways no photograph can fully prepare for. They are places where human ambition and ingenuity have left marks in stone that still inspire awe millennia later. Make the journey — and for India's breathtaking hidden gem, discover Lakshadweep — India's own natural wonder.

The Voting Process: How the Seven Were Chosen

The New Seven Wonders of the World were selected through an unprecedented global public vote organised by the Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation, founded by filmmaker Bernard Weber. The campaign ran from 1999 to 2007, with votes submitted online and by telephone. Over 100 million votes were cast — making it one of the largest public polling exercises in history. The final seven were announced at a ceremony in Lisbon on July 7, 2007. Notably, the process was not without controversy: Egypt initially objected to the inclusion of the Pyramids of Giza as "competing" candidates, arguing they should have been given automatic status. The Foundation subsequently declared the Pyramids of Giza an "honorary Eighth Wonder" — allowing them to stand apart from the competitive vote. The original Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, listed by ancient Greek scholars, included only one surviving structure: the Pyramids of Giza.

The Colosseum and Chichen Itza: Wonders of Empire

The Colosseum in Rome, completed in 80 CE during the reign of Emperor Titus, could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. Its innovative design — concentric oval rings of arches and vaults — influenced stadium architecture for two millennia. Today it receives approximately 7 million visitors annually, making it Europe's most visited monument. Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is the masterpiece of Mayan civilisation. Its central pyramid — El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulkan — produces a remarkable astronomical phenomenon at the spring and autumn equinoxes: the shadow of a serpent appears to slither down the staircase, created by the pyramid's precise alignment with the sun. Both structures demonstrate that ancient civilisations possessed engineering and astronomical knowledge that frequently astonishes modern observers.

Christ the Redeemer: A Modern Symbol of Universal Significance

The newest of the Seven Wonders, Christ the Redeemer was constructed between 1922 and 1931 on the 700-metre Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the statue stands 30 metres tall on a 8-metre pedestal, with arms spanning 28 metres. It has become the defining symbol of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil itself — a landmark so recognisable that its silhouette alone is instantly identifiable worldwide. The statue is visited by over 2 million people annually and has appeared in countless films, photographs, and cultural references. Its inclusion on the Seven Wonders list, despite being modern in construction terms, reflects how quickly a great monument can become embedded in human cultural consciousness.

The Economic and Cultural Impact of the Seven Wonders

The designation of "New Seven Wonders" had measurable economic consequences for each site's host country. Jordan's Petra saw visitor numbers increase dramatically following the 2007 announcement; the site now contributes significantly to Jordan's tourism economy. Peru's Machu Picchu manages over 1 million visitors annually — numbers that have created ongoing conservation challenges, leading to strict daily entry limits. The Taj Mahal draws over 7 million visitors yearly, making it one of Asia's most visited monuments and a critical contributor to Agra's economy. This tourism impact underlines why the Seven Wonders designation carries genuine significance beyond symbolism: it shapes how hundreds of millions of people think about travel, cultural heritage, and the places worth protecting for future generations — a conversation that extends to understanding the world's most powerful countries and their heritage.