Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh, India
This white marble beauty was built between 1631 and 1648 as a tomb for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's deceased wife, who bore him 14 children. The mausoleum is considered the height of Mughal architecture and required the skills of masons, stonecutters, calligraphers, dome-builders, carvers and others. International tourists can see the riverside monument for $5
The Acropolis, Athens, GreeceSince the eighth century B.C., the fortified area known as the Acropolis has been sacred to Grecian culture. It is the site of several monuments, including the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The marble temples are considered masterpieces of ancient Greek architecture and tributes to gods worshiped long ago. Free admission is offered on selected days, but full-price tickets are 12 euros ($18).
Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela, EthiopiaAn important destination for Ethiopian Christian pilgrims, the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were carved from a single block of stone. King Lalibela commissioned the churches, estimated to be 800 years old, and the area eventually became known as “New Jerusalem."
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., U.S.Inspired by the multi-column design of the Parthenon, this memorial honors assassinated Civil War President Abraham Lincoln. In 1939, the monument took on greater meaning when an African-American singer was denied a public concert because of her race. Nearly 25 years later, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on the memorial's steps. There are no admission fees.
The Kremlin, Moscow, RussiaThe Kremlin is a collection of impressive buildings that reveal Russia's complex military, political and religious history. Peter the Great used the Arsenal as a weapons depot when fighting Napoleon, and the Cathedral of the Assumption was built by Ivan the Great in the 1470s to serve as the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. Tickets are available for tours of the various buildings.
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, New York, N.Y., U.S.An icon of the American way, the Statue of Liberty drew 3.4 million visitors in 2007. The 305-foot statue was dedicated in 1886 as a gift from France to the United States to commemorate a shared friendship and political values. Between 1892 and 1924, the colossal statue greeted 25 million immigrants who passed through the New York Harbor. Ticket prices range from $5 to $18.
The Great Wall, ChinaBuilt over a period of roughly 1,800 years, the Great Wall of China is the most imposing monument on Earth. Not one single wall, it is actually comprised of many branches that stretch about 4,000 miles. Heavy tourist traffic is hard to avoid, but determined tourists can see undisturbed sections north of Beijing in Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng.
The Palace of Versailles, Versailles, FranceThis grand estate channels the significance of monarchy and royal rule through 17th- and 18th-century French architecture. It began as a hunting lodge in 1623, but King Louis XIII had his architect expand the building. The grounds now host private apartments, a royal chapel, an opera house, 55 pools and foundations and 400 sculptures.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, EnglandThe mystery of Stonehenge, built by three different cultures starting in 3,100 B.C., continues to attract curious tourists. The giant stones, which weigh about 5 tons each, were arranged in a circle for reasons still not yet fully understood by historians. Still, this feat of engineering, which likely required hundreds of men, is a historic one. Admission is free for children under 5 and ranges from 6 to 13 pounds ($12 to $26) for others.
Machu Picchu, PeruA testament to a civilization's ingenuity, Machu Picchu is a relic of 15th-century urban development. The Incan mountain citadel is surrounded by a tropical forest and is memorable for its engineered roads, buildings and defense walls. The area also once supported agriculture evidenced by terraces used to grow maize and coca. Admission fees vary.
P/S: Wish me luck for my test.....ya
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