The world's top 10 must-see landmarks
The travel page Trip Advisor with its Travellers' Choice Awards has named the world's top 10 most popular landmarks. Some 340 million people use the internet travel portal every month.
10. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Italy
This exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral on the main square of Milan is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. It is the world's third largest church. Impressive is both its dazzling white facade as well as the more than 2,000 sculptures inside.
9. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington, United States
Anyone visiting the National Mall in Washington D.C. in the capital of the United States will definitely pass by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Over 3.6 million people visit the memorial annually. It is also known as the setting for Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
8. The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture. Originally built for military purposes, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It is one of Europe's most popular tourist attractions.
7. Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The spectacular, multi-colored Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg in Russia dazzles with its golden domes and intricate mosaics. It was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881.
6. Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments combining Moorish and Christian architecture. Originally constructed from the 8th century onwards as the Great Mosque of Córdoba, the Islamic holy building was converted into a Christian cathedral in the 13th century.
5. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The white marble mausoleum Taj Mahal in Agra, which was completed in 1643, is regarded as a prime example of Mughal architecture. Its name was inspired by Mumtaz Mahal, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's beloved wife, who died while giving birth to their 14th child.
4. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
Every day some 20,000 pilgrims visit the St. Peter's Basilica in Italy's Vatican City. Built atop of an earlier 4th century church, it was completed in 1626 after 150 years of construction. The cathedral boasts many masterpieces, including Michelangelo's Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini's 29 meter-high baldachin over the papal altar.
3. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is one of Southeast Asia's most important religious sites. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it has remained a place of worship since its founding during the Khmer Empire in the 12th century.
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
A stellar example of Mughal architecture, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is considered to be one of the key places of worship in Abu Dhabi. Its interior dazzles with millions of Swarovski crystals. The mosque, which took over 10 years to complete, accommodates over 41,000 worshipers, making it currently the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
And finally here is the site that has won the 2016 Trip Advisor must-see landmark ranking: Machu Picchu, Peru's famous lost city in the Andes Mountains. This 15th-century Inca site, located 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level, is renowned worldwide for its dry-stone walls, which were built without the use of mortar, making these incredible buildings as mesmerizing as they are mysterious.
Vocabulary Words:
1.Landmark - (noun) something, such as a large building, that you can see clearly from a distance and that will help you to know where you are
2. Portal - (noun) a website that is used as a point of entry to the Internet, where information has been collected that will be useful to a person interested in particular kinds of things
3. Facade - (noun) the front of a building
4. Intricate - (adj.) having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together
5. Mausoleum - (noun) a special building made to hold the dead body of an important person or the dead bodies of a family
6. Masterpiece - (noun) a work of art such as a painting, film/movie, book, etc. that is an excellent, or the best, example of the artist’s work
7. Renowned - (adj.) famous and respected
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever visited a different ｃountry? Where did you go?
2. What are the main reasons people travel? What are some benefits of travel?
3. From the list above, which landmark would you like to see and why?
4. Do you have a favorite world-renowned landmark? What is it and why is it your favorite?
5. What should people do to preserve these landmarks for the future generation to see and enjoy?
