7 wonders of the world​

7 Wonders of the Modern World

Selected in a global public vote organized by the New7Wonders Foundation in 2007, these seven sites represent the most beloved man-made landmarks of our era, chosen by over 100 million voters from every corner of the planet.

1. Great Wall of China

Location

Stretching more than 13,000 miles across northern China, from the coastal shores of Hebei province to the remote deserts of Gansu, with the most popular restored sections located just 40 miles north of Beijing.

Why it was named a Wonder

Built and expanded over 2,300 years across multiple dynasties, this massive defensive structure is the longest man-made construction on Earth. It stands as a testament to the scale of ancient Chinese engineering, the dedication of millions of laborers, and the centuries of history that shaped one of the world’s greatest civilizations.

2. Chichén Itzá

Location

Nestled in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, roughly 2 hours west of the tourist city of Cancún, in the modern state of Yucatán.

Why it was named a Wonder

This step-pyramid city was the political and spiritual capital of the Maya civilization, and its iconic El Castillo pyramid is aligned with astronomical precision to cast a shadow that looks like a slithering serpent during the spring and fall equinoxes. It preserves the genius of pre-Columbian American science, architecture, and cultural tradition.

3. Petra

Location

Hidden in the red sandstone canyons of southern Jordan, about 3 hours south of the capital city Amman, accessible through the narrow, winding Siq passage.

Why it was named a Wonder

Carved directly into rose colored rock faces over 2,000 years ago by the Nabataean people, this ancient trading city features elaborate tombs, a sophisticated water management system, and a dramatic desert setting that was lost to the Western world for centuries before its rediscovery in 1812.

4. Machu Picchu

Location

Perched 7,970 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 50 miles northwest of the city of Cusco.

Why it was named a Wonder

Built as a royal Inca estate in the 15th century and abandoned before the Spanish conquest, this "Lost City of the Incas" features perfectly cut stonework that fits together without mortar, terraced farms that follow the mountain’s natural slope, and a remote, cloud-shrouded setting that makes it one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites on the planet.

5. Christ the Redeemer

Location

Standing 2,300 feet atop Corcovado Mountain, overlooking the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Why it was named a Wonder

This 98-foot tall art deco statue of Jesus Christ, completed in 1931, has become a global symbol of peace, faith, and Brazilian cultural identity. Its sweeping arms that stretch out over the city make it one of the most recognizable and photographed landmarks in the entire Western Hemisphere.

6. Colosseum

Location

Situated in the historic center of Rome, Italy, just a short walk from the Roman Forum and other ancient ruins of the Eternal City.

Why it was named a Wonder

The largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire, completed in 80 AD, could hold more than 50,000 spectators for gladiator battles, public events, and theatrical performances. It is the most well-preserved symbol of Roman engineering, political power, and the cultural legacy that shaped modern Western civilization.

7. Taj Mahal

Location

Set on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern Indian city of Agra, around 2 hours south of New Delhi.

Why it was named a Wonder

This stunning white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Decorated with thousands of inlaid semi-precious stones, perfect symmetrical design, and surrounding reflecting gardens, it is widely considered the most beautiful example of Mughal architecture ever created.

7 Wonders of the Ancient World

The original list, compiled by ancient Greek and Roman scholars over 2,000 years ago, represents the most extraordinary man-made sites of the Mediterranean and Near East in classical antiquity.

1. Great Pyramid of Giza

Location

On the west bank of the Nile River, just outside the modern city of Cairo, Egypt, on the Giza Plateau.

Why it was named a Wonder

The only surviving wonder of the ancient list, this 4,500-year-old tomb for Pharaoh Khufu was the tallest man-made structure on Earth for more than 3,800 years. Its near-perfect geometric alignment and massive 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tons, still baffle engineers today who marvel at the precision of its construction.

2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Location

Believed to have stood near the ancient city of Babylon, in what is now central Iraq, south of modern Baghdad.

Why it was named a Wonder

Said to be built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his homesick wife Amytis, these terraced gardens were filled with exotic plants, flowing waterfalls, and elaborate irrigation systems that created a lush green paradise in the middle of the arid Mesopotamian desert. Even though no definitive archaeological proof has been found, it remains the most famous legendary wonder of the ancient world.

3. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Location

In the ancient sacred site of Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the original Olympic Games.

Why it was named a Wonder

Carved by the legendary Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC, this 40-foot tall statue of the king of the Greek gods was decorated with ivory, gold leaf, ebony, and precious stones. It was the centerpiece of the Olympic Games for over 800 years, and stood as the most iconic artistic representation of classical Greek religion.

4. The Colossus of Rhodes

Location

At the entrance to the harbor of the Greek island of Rhodes, in the Aegean Sea.

Why it was named a Wonder

A 108 foot tall bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios, built in 280 BC to celebrate the island’s victory over a year long Macedonian siege. For over 50 years it stood as one of the tallest statues of the ancient world, before being toppled by a powerful earthquake in 226 BC.

5. The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Location

On the small island of Pharos, in the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt.

Why it was named a Wonder

Completed in the 3rd century BC during the reign of Ptolemy II, this 330-foot tall stone lighthouse was the tallest man-made structure of the Hellenistic era. Its fire at the top, reflected through polished metal mirrors, could be seen by sailors more than 35 miles out at sea, guiding ships safely to the busy port of Alexandria for over 1,500 years.

6. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Location

Near the ancient city of Ephesus, in modern-day western Turkey, close to the coastal town of Selçuk.

Why it was named a Wonder

A grand marble temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, rebuilt multiple times over 500 years, with 127 ornately carved 60-foot columns supporting its massive roof. It was the most important religious pilgrimage site of the ancient Mediterranean, until it was destroyed by a series of fires and invasions.

7. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Location

In the center of the ancient city of Halicarnassus, modern-day Bodrum, on the southwest coast of Turkey.

Why it was named a Wonder

A 148 foot tall marble tomb built for Persian ruler Mausolus in 353 BC, decorated with intricate carvings from the greatest Greek artists of the era. Its name became the root of the English word "mausoleum", and its unique mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Persian architectural styles made it one of the most admired monuments of the ancient world.

Future Selection of New Wonders of the World

The official New7Wonders organization has confirmed that a new global voting process will launch in 2027 to select a fresh set of 7 Wonders for the next decade. This new selection will include both cultural heritage sites and underrated natural landmarks from regions that were underrepresented in the 2007 vote, including sites from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Arctic Circle. 

The public will be able to submit nominations, cast votes, and help shape the next official list that will celebrate the full diversity of our planet’s most extraordinary places.