Places to visit in the World before you Die

The Great Wall of China: Legend of the Falls

The Great Wall of China: Legend of the Falls

With a history of well over 2000 years and length of over 8800 kilometers (5500 miles), the strategic and historical significance of the Great Wall of China is matched only by its archeological implication. The wall is one of the leading tourist attractions and a definite must do for travelers owing to its architectural grandeur and historical importance.

The Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching from east to west of China like a dragon casting its mythical aura and importance not just in China but the world.

Machhu Pichhu, Peru: A Matter of Timing

 Machu Pichhu: A Matter of Timing

It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a World Heritage Site. This is mystical place and a great spot to divinity. Machu Picchu, the royal retreat of the Incan emperor Pachacuti, sits atop the Urubamba Valley in Peru. 

Meaning "Old Mountain" in the Quechua Indian language, the complex was constructed in the 15th century as a place for the emperor and his retinue to relax, hunt or entertain foreign dignitaries. One of the best time to visit this mesmerizing site is during morning before sunrise to capture the truly spectacular sight of the sunrise. 

An almost spiritual and awe-inspiring view of the landscapes basking in the glory of the sun makes this one of the top destinations to visit in a life time.

Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. 

The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin 

with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States: Scaling the Heights

Grand Canyon: Scaling the Heights

A powerful and inspiring landscape, the Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size; 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. 

Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon (nearly 1,500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park. 

Its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past 2 billion years. There are also prehistoric traces of human adaptation to a particularly harsh environment.

Angkor Wat, Angkor, Cambodia: The Divine Inspiration

Angkor Wat: The Divine Inspiration

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.  Angkor Wat Temple is the largest and most stunning attraction among the various monuments.

The temple was built in the early 12th century and was dedicated to lord Vishu, a Hindu God. Later it also became significant religious center for the Buddhist. The temple is recognized for its classical style of Khmer architecture. Angkor Wat today is a major pilgrimage site and one of the must visit tourist attractions of world.

Golden Temple, Amritsar, India: Sound of Silence

 Golden Temple: Sound of Silence

Glittering in gold and iridescent in reflection in pool water, the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib is the holiest shrine of Sikhs located in Amritsar, Punjab. 

Blending both Indian and Mughal style of architecture, the Golden Temple has a large dome covered with gold giving it the name with which is known to the world today. 

The structural brilliance of the Golden Temple draws the interest of tourists and travelers from around the world.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Nature's Bounty

 A Sea Turtle at the Great Barrier Reef

This is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. It is one of the top beautiful places to visit in Australia. You can see it from the outer space and it is the world’s largest single structure, which is made of living organisms. The Great Barrier Reef is located in the North East part located off the Pacific coast of Queensland, Australia.

It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction. 

The breathtaking diversity and unparalleled diving opportunities make the Great Barrier Reef one of the top attractions in the world to visit before you die.

Yosemite National Park, United States: Spectacular Abundance

Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park: Spectacular Abundance

Yosemite is located on the western slopes of Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is one of the nation’s most famous national parks in US. Yosemite is one of the most popular tourist attractions in USA. The glacially eroded alpine valley is just 8 miles long and less than one mile wide with sheer granite walls rising vertically over 3000 feet (1000 meters) on either side.

Sprawling over 3000 km of wilderness, nine cascading waterfalls, enormous sequoia tree groves, lush meadows, rolling valleys and granite cliffs conjure up a magical ambience and traveling opportunity inside Yosemite, one of the first National Parks in United States.

Owing to the geographical diversity, the richness of flora and fauna and beautiful vistas created by geological factors contribute to the popular attraction of the Park. Yosemite National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Narrowly missing the list was the mystical valleys of Ladakh, the heaven-on-earth incarnate that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Mystical Ladakh – The Last Shangri La

L:adakh, the barren paradise, is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. Every Year when the road to Ladakh opens in late May, visitors from all corner of the world head to Ladakh for the ultimate adventure experience.

The allure of Ladakh lies in its high altitude mountain passes, emerald lakes, towering mountain peaks, Buddhism and the sand dunes of Hunder. Ladakh is always in the wishlist of bikers and road trippers who head to "Little Tibet" every year for that adrenaline rush which is unique to Ladakh.