The seven wonders of the modern world are the Great Wall of China, Petra (Jordan), the Colosseum (Italy), Chichén Itzá (Mexico), Machu Picchu (Peru), the Taj Mahal (India) and Christ the Redeemer in Rio (Brazil). They were chosen by a public vote run by the New7Wonders foundation, with results announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon. If these sites make you want to go further, our selection of the most beautiful countries in the world ranks destinations by what you are looking for.
There is also an ancient list of seven wonders, of which only one survives: the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. This guide presents both lists, explains where they come from, and for each site you can visit points to the page on our site that helps you plan the trip.
The seven wonders of the world: key facts
- Modern list: the result of a public vote run by the New7Wonders foundation, announced on 7/7/2007 in Lisbon.
- It is not a UNESCO list: the organization said in a statement of June 20, 2007 that it had no connection with the initiative.
- Ancient list: seven monuments of the Mediterranean basin and the Near East; only the Great Pyramid still exists.
- The Great Pyramid was withdrawn from the 2007 vote and named an « honorary candidate ».
The seven wonders of the modern world
| Wonder | Country | Date given | Plan your trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Wall | China | 700 BC (start of the first sections) | Travel to China |
| Petra | Jordan | 312 BC | Visiting Petra |
| Colosseum | Italy (Rome) | AD 80 | Visiting Rome |
| Chichén Itzá | Mexico (Yucatán) | around AD 600 | Travel to the Yucatán |
| Machu Picchu | Peru | around 1450 | Visiting Machu Picchu |
| Taj Mahal | India (Agra) | 1643 | Travel to India |
| Christ the Redeemer | Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) | 1931 | Visiting Rio de Janeiro |
The Great Wall of China
A set of fortifications built and rebuilt over several centuries in northern China. The restored sections near Beijing are the most visited. To choose a season, see when to go to China.
Petra, in Jordan
A Nabataean city carved into pink sandstone, known for the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) and the Monastery. The site is vast and explored on foot: our guide to visiting Petra details the routes, and our page on when to go to Jordan covers the most pleasant periods.
The Colosseum, in Rome
An amphitheater of ancient Rome, completed under Emperor Titus. It is the only modern wonder in Europe. See when to go to Rome to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Chichén Itzá, in Mexico
A Maya city on the Yucatán peninsula, dominated by the Pyramid of Kukulcán (El Castillo). It can be visited from Mérida, Valladolid or the Caribbean coast (Cancún, Tulum). For climate and the rainy season: when to go to the Yucatán.
Machu Picchu, in Peru
An Inca city perched in the Andes above the Urubamba valley. Access is limited by quota: tickets must be booked in advance. Our Machu Picchu guide and the page on when to go to Peru help you prepare the visit.
The Taj Mahal, in India
A white marble mausoleum built in Agra by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is often part of a « Golden Triangle » tour (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur). Seasons: when to go to India.
Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro
A monumental statue completed in 1931 on top of Corcovado. It is the most recent of the seven. To plan the visit: Rio de Janeiro and when to go to Rio.
The seven wonders of the ancient world
| Wonder | Location (present-day country) | Built (approx.) | What remains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Pyramid of Giza | Giza (Egypt) | around 2560 BC | Still standing |
| Hanging Gardens of Babylon | Babylon (Iraq) | 6th century BC | Vanished; their existence is still debated |
| Statue of Zeus | Olympia (Greece) | 436 BC | Destroyed by fire in Constantinople in AD 461 |
| Temple of Artemis | Ephesus (Turkey) | 560 BC, rebuilt in 334 BC | A few remains |
| Mausoleum at Halicarnassus | Bodrum (Turkey) | 353 BC | Used as a quarry from the 14th century |
| Colossus of Rhodes | Rhodes (Greece) | 292 BC | Broken by an earthquake in 227 or 226 BC |
| Lighthouse of Alexandria | Alexandria (Egypt) | 297 BC | Ruined by earthquakes (10th and 14th centuries) |
The oldest known complete list appears in an epigram by the Greek poet Antipater of Sidon (2nd century BC); a text attributed to Philo of Byzantium gives another version. To see the only surviving ancient wonder, see our Egypt travel guide and when to go to Egypt. The sites of Ephesus and Bodrum can be visited on a trip to Turkey, and Rhodes on a stay in Greece.
Can you see several wonders on one trip?
The seven modern wonders are spread over four continents. A round-the-world trip is the only way to see most of them in one journey. On a smaller scale, Petra and the Giza pyramids combine well (Jordan and Egypt are neighbors), as do Machu Picchu and Rio on a South American tour with a stopover.
Frequently asked questions
What are the seven wonders of the world?
The modern list (2007) includes the Great Wall of China, Petra, the Colosseum, Chichén Itzá, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal and Christ the Redeemer. The ancient list includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Who chose the new seven wonders of the world?
A public vote run by the New7Wonders foundation, created on the initiative of the Swiss Bernard Weber. The results were announced on July 7, 2007 in Lisbon.
Is the list of seven wonders recognized by UNESCO?
No. UNESCO stated in June 2007 that it had no connection with the initiative.
Which ancient wonder still exists?
Only the Great Pyramid of Giza, in Egypt, is still standing.
Why are the pyramids not on the modern list?
The Great Pyramid was withdrawn from the vote after protests from Egypt; New7Wonders named it an honorary candidate.
Our sources
- Wikipedia, « New 7 Wonders of the World » and « Seven Wonders of the Ancient World », consulted on 14 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
