The 7 Wonders of the World and the Places that Dare to Be Number 8

31. The New Seven Wonders Of The World

The new seven wonders of the world started as a campaign to select seven monuments that people could visit today. The list of possibilities grew to 200 and included the oldest and most well-known buildings in the world. Some of the places on the list included Timbuktu, Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House.

The monuments that made the new seven wonders list include Christ the Redeemer, Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, The Colosseum, Chichen Itza, The Great Wall of China, and Petra. The honorary member of the new list is The Great Pyramid of Giza.

30. There Are Many Places Dubbed The Eighth Wonder Of The World

Once you read that people voted from 200 places to create the new seven wonders of the world list, it is easy to think about all the places that could be the eighth wonder of the world. People all over the world from former President Teddy Roosevelt to England’s royalty of talked about the possibility of an eighth wonder.

But, this list doesn’t come directly from the places that didn’t make the new seven wonders of the world list. It comes from the places that try to become the eighth wonder — people who state that there should be eight wonders of the world instead of seven.

29. The Amber Room

A room that looks like it belongs to one of the wealthiest people in the world is the Amber Room. It is a pre-1900s creation, but World War II destroyed the original room. While people first felt the room is an incredible loss to world history, contractors started to reconstruct the place in 1979 and completed the project in 2003.

Before the disappearance of the original Amber Room, many people considered it as the eighth wonder of the world. The duplication of the Amber Room happened because of the drawings and black and white photographs people saved from the space.

28. The Panama Canal

Believed to be one of the most complex engineering projects ever completed, the Panama Canal is something that everyone hears about. Still, most people don’t realize it’s slated as one of the eighth wonders of the world.

Historically, the canal dramatically increased trade, but no one appreciated the wonder until Richard Halliburton, who swam the canal in 1928. At first, people viewed the channel as a failure because the De Lesseps company filed for bankruptcy in 1889, ending the project. Many people believe over 25,000 people worked on the project.

27. Borobudur Temple

Located by Magelang in Java, Indonesia, the Borobudur Temple is a Buddhist temple. It is also known as the world’s largest Buddhist monument. Even though no one knows who built the temple or how it came to be, it is definitely one of the most complex creations in the world.

Historians believe that the structure took about 75 years to build and started around 750 AD. The monument is topped by a central dome and consists of nine stacked platforms, six of them are square, and three of them are round.

26. Humpback Covered Bridge

One of the few remaining covered bridges in the United States is the Humpback Covered Bridge in Virginia. Billed as one of the eighth wonders of the world because of its age and design, its center is higher than the ends. Built in 1857, this is the oldest bridge standing in the state of Virginia.

Called Humpback because its center is 4 feet higher than both its ends, giving the bridge an arch; it is part of the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. While the bridge is in its original form, contracts have replaced the roof and several walls.

25. The Terracotta Army of China

The Terracotta soldiers protect and accompany China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. There are thousands of horses, soldiers, and chariots that are a part of the emperor’s tomb. All of them are life-size and were made by a large number of artists, and about 800 soldiers are buried at the grave.

No one knew about the Terracotta Army until 1974 when people working in a neighboring field stumbled upon the site. Because of the high craftsmanship and consideration that it took several decades for people to complete, it is highly regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.

24. Burney Falls In California Is Theodore Roosevelt’s Pick

For decades people have thought about what the 8th wonder of the world is, and most give their opinion. Former president Theodore Roosevelt is no exception as he became a spokesperson for Burney Falls, a waterfall in California.

Not only did Roosevelt speak openly about his choice, but the falls became a National Natural Landmark in December 1954. The sight of the waterfall is beautiful at 129 feet high and a constant water flow rate of 379 million liters per day. Many people feel the best time to see Burney Falls is in April after the snow melts.

23. The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona

The Grand Canyon is considered the eighth wonder of the world by many people because of its natural beauty. Carved by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon sees millions of tourists every year who view as much of its 277 miles in length as possible.

While the highest points in 18 miles in width, the lowest point is only 4 miles in diameter. The rock at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is over 2 billion years old. The structure became a national park in 1919, and you can camp at the canyon, as long as you have a permit.

22. Niagara Falls On The Border Of New York And Canada

Niagara Falls is a group of three separate waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three and is partially in the United States and partly in Canada. Many people refer to Horseshoe Falls as Canadian Falls. The smaller two falls are both in the United States.

The height of Horseshoe Falls is 167 feet, and the height of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls is 176 feet. About 20% of the world’s freshwater flows over Niagara Falls as the water lies in the Great Lakes.

21. The Pink And White Terraces Are A Natural Wonder In New Zealand

The Pink Terrace, which is known as “The fountain of the clouded sky,” and the White Terrace is known as the tattooed rock. They are natural wonders in New Zealand that are believed to be over 7,000 years old.

For over a century, people believed the Pink and White Terraces were lost in the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. However, in 2011, a team of researchers discovered parts of the Pink Terrace. However, some scientists don’t believe the terraces could survive the eruption. To this date, people continue to debate the rediscovery.

20. The Taj Mahal

Inspired to build the Taj Mahal while grieving his wife’s death, Shah Jahan used 28 types of jewels in the marble. It took over two decades to complete the construction of the building and cost 32 million rupees, which is about one million in American money today. It’s estimated that over 20,000 laborers worked on the project.

Today, the Taj Mahal is India’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 7 million visitors every year. Visitors are asked to respect the structure as a religious building because it is still used to prayer on Fridays.

19. The Palm Islands of Dubai

The Palm Islands is a man-made archipelago that is meant to look like a palm tree. There are so many things to do on the island that no will become bored during their vacation. In fact, you will need to stay longer than planned to see half of what you want to see.

You can swim with sea lions, dolphins, and even sharks! There are many ways to take a tour around the island from a speed board to paddling around the palm. After spending a day at the beach, you can check out the sights of the island from above.

18. Milford Sound

If there is any sight that will make your mouth drop open, it is Milford Sound. Its natural features lurk around every corner and give you fantastic acoustics of nature. Journalist Rudyard Kipling called Milford Sound the eighth wonder of the world.

Created because of the glaciers, Milford Sound is located in New Zealand and one of the top tourist destinations of the world, attracting nearly 1 million people annually. Seals, penguins, whales, and dolphins are some of the marine life that you will see and hear at Milford Sound.

17. The International Space Station

In total, five participating agencies have a part in the International Space Station (ISS) – NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS is a location where people conduct research that focuses on astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other areas.

The ISS circles the earth about 15.5 orbits every day or every 92 minutes. The operations of the ISS will continue until 2024, for sure. However, people hope that it will maintain services until 2030. By the end of 2019, about 240 people can say they visited the ISS from various countries.

16. The Astrodome

Many sports fans like to cite the Astrodome, also known as the Harris County Domed Stadium, as the eighth wonder of the world. While some people think this building is simply a dome structure or a stadium, there is more to the Astrodome that meets the eye.

The dome opened in 1956 and became the first building of its type. In fact, the Astrodome paved the way for many other dome-like structures for the next few decades. We still build sporting event buildings like a dome today.

15. Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial is historically known as the home for the King of Spain. Located about 28 miles northwest of Madrid, which is Spain’s capital, El Escorial is also a library, university, museum, royal palace, basilica, hospital, monastery, and pantheon.

Philip II build the El Escorial during the 16th century to commemorate the Battle of San Quintin. It took over 20 years to complete the building and is the 29th largest palace in the world. It’s 735 feet wide, 592 feet deep, and more than 330,000 square feet.

14. Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and brings most of the tourists to that area. Its unique features are absolutely breathtaking and part of the largest religious movement in the world. One of the reasons it’s billed as the eighth wonder of the world is because it almost made the list for the seventh wonder of the world.

At 154 square miles, the Angkor Wat is one of the most famous temples in the world. It used to have a wall surrounding it, but nothing of the wall exists today. Considered the largest monument in the world, it’s been standing since the 12th century.

13. Banaue Rice Terraces

Created over 2,000 years ago, the Banaue rice terraces are often billed as the eighth wonder of the world because of its uniqueness and meaning. Ancestors from the Philippines established these terraces to plant rice and receive water from the rainforests above it. If you placed all the terraces end to end, they would equal half of the circumference of the world.

While some terraces are as high as 2 miles above sea level, they look like steps from above. While the yards are mainly a tourist attraction today, some people still plant rice and vegetables in certain places. Because people aren’t farming the terraces like they used to, they are eroding.

12. The Citadelle Laferrière

Many features in Haiti bring tourists, but one of the most popular attractions is The Citadelle Laferrière. You can find the Citadelle in Northern Haiti at the top of a mountain. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most massive fortresses in the Americas. The Citadelle was built in the 1800s as a way to keep the French from further infiltrating Haiti’s land.

While you can view the place without paying, many people ask tourists to donate a small fee to help take care of the Citadelle and the surrounding land. Many of the weapons used during the 1800s are still found in that area.

11. The Empire State Building

Pictures of the Empire State Building are familiar. It’s one of the most talked-about buildings in the United States. Completed in 1931 by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the 102-story Art Deco skyscraper is located in Manhattan, New York City.

For four decades, the Empire State Building held the title as the world’s tallest building and was constructed during a race to create the world’s tallest building. In total, the Empire State Building is 1,454 feet tall, and this includes its antenna. Known as a financial flop for years after its creation, the Empire State Building is a strong tourist attraction today.

10. The Moai Statues

The Moai statues are also known as Easter Island Heads or Easter Island Statues. These human-like statues were carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500 C.E. by using basalt stone hand chisels. In total, 887 figures are between 4.9 and 33 feet each.

Nearly all of the statues have overly large heads, strong chins, and broad noses. Most people recognize the Moai statues because of their faces. While no one knows exactly why these statues came to be, many people feel they give a meaning of power and symbols of politics and religion.

9. The Royal Palace Of Amsterdam

Known locally as the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam or Paleis op de Dam, the royal palace is one of the most breathtaking sights in Amsterdam – and not just because it is connected to the royal family. Built by Jacob van Campen in 1648, the palace started as a city hall and then became the palace of King Louis Napoleon.

The central hall is 60 feet wide and 120 feet long. Currently, the queen uses the royal palace as a meeting place and allows tourists to see the internal structure of the castle from time to time.

8. Natural Bridge in Virginia

Natural Bridge State Park is located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and is believed to be the eighth wonder of the world because of its extraordinary natural growth. This bridge has a 215-foot-high natural arch that spans about 90 feet. The bridge is not only designated a Virginia Historic Landmark, but also a National Historic Landmark.

No one directly knows how the bridge formed, but many people believe it started over 470 million years ago. Not only is the bridge sacred to the Native American Monocan tribe, but many people believe George Washington carved his initials into the formation in 1750.

7. The Rome Stele

The Rome Stele, also known as the Aksum Obelisk, is in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. It stands 79 feet tall and weighs 160 tons. There are two fake doors at the bottom of the building and decorations that look like windows around the building. Built over 1,700 years ago, the structure has its share of damage but still stands strong.

While a lot of work went into keeping the Aksum original, the structure continues to age, and people struggle to find ways to preserve it. One way to protect the Aksum is through the protection of the National Antiquities Authority.

6. The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

While many people joke about the Leaning Tower of Pisa falling, it is billed as one of the eighth wonders of the world because of its structure. While the tower didn’t always lean, it now leans at about a four-degree angle because of the unstable foundation.

The tower took about 20 years to build, which started in 1173. Before the completion of the tower, people began to notice the building slightly leaned. Though the building’s lean hasn’t changed in years, experts state it can resume leaning at any time.

5. Giant’s Causeway

Ireland has a lot for a tourist to see as the country is rated as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. While you will never see everything worth seeing in Ireland, one of the most critical stops on your next vacation is the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Declared a national nature reserve in 1987 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO the year before, the structure is unique and unlike any other in the world. It’s made up of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns as high as 39 feet created from an ancient volcanic fissure eruption.

4. Castillo de San Marcos, St Augustine, Florida

Spanish engineer Ignacio Daza built the Castillo de San Marcos in 1672. Today, it’s known as the most significant and oldest masonry fort in the United States. The Spanish built the fort for the protection of European settlers. The fort wasn’t constructed out of stone but from ancient shells that created a rock over time.

The National Park Service took over the fort in 1933. In 1966, the fort became a National Monument and received a spot on the National Register of Historic Places list. You can see the fort on any day of the year, except on Christmas day.

3. Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is in Malta and considered one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. It holds crystal clear blue waters, jagged cliffs, and is an excellent place for hiking and swimming. Another reason to go is that the island where the Blue Lagoon is located, Comino, is one of the smallest islands with only three permanent residents!

With hardly any traffic, the island is incredibly small as its only a little over 2 square miles. One of the best ways to get to the island is by cruise. Once you get there, you can see the Santa Marija Tower, swim, hike, and go camping.

2. Torres del Paine National Park

Billed at the eighth wonder of the world to most people in southern Chile, the Torres del Paine National Park holds more than 181,414 hectares of ancient forests. Other features of the park include lakes, rivers, glaciers, towering granite peaks, and pampas.

Over 250,000 visitors head to the park to check out some of the world’s best hiking trails, the W Trek and the Paine Circuit. Founded in 1959, the park became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 to preserve its unique and natural beauty. Thanks to the reserve, wildlife is also well protected.

1. The 12 Apostles

A group of limestone stacks near the Port Campbell National Park west of Melbourne make up the 12 Apostles. A sight that many people bill as the eighth wonder of the world is a result of constant erosion by the wind and water of the Southern Ocean. It’s stated that the creation of these stacks started between 10 to 20 million years ago.

Some of the stacks reach up to 45 miles high, but only nine of them exist. This can confuse tourists as they are named the 12 Apostles. The possibility of adding stacks won’t happen because they are starting to collapse slowly.

Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:

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“The Citadelle Laferrière.” Famous Wonders.

“8 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Banaue Rice Terraces” – Deal Grocer

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“Aksum.” United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

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“10 Cool Things to Do at the Palm Jumeirah.” Sarah Gamboni, Trip Savvy. May 2019.

“No such love! The story of Taj Mahal”, by EKREM BUĞRA EKINCI, Daily Sabah, OCT 08, 2021

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