World Heritage Sites That You Have to See at Least Once

If you are looking for bucket list travel destinations to add to your travel list, then UNESCO World Heritage sites are definitely some of the best options to consider. The World Heritage status is awarded to places all over the world by UNESCO – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. With exceptional geographical, historical, or cultural features, here are the top UNESCO World Heritage sites to consider for your next trip.

 Machu Picchu, Peru

No World Heritage sites article is complete without a mention of this iconic archaeological site of Peru. Located in lush and mountainous terrain 2,430 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu is an ancient city of Incas of the 15th and 16th centuries. Machu Picchu was built of around 200 structures and nowadays gives visitors a glimpse of the life of the Inca civilization back in the day.

While the site is a mesmerizing sight to see and explore, the journey to Machu Picchu is just as exciting. Visitors can choose from a few different ways to reach the ancient city, from a guided multi-day hike to a train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Each option offers an incredible opportunity to now only explore the grounds of Machu Picchu valley but also get more accustomed to Peruvian landscapes.

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan is yet another ancient city that is famous around the world for its historical monuments and houses. This most important historical site in Myanmar is the largest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world. The temples have been built in the 1000s and 1100s, during the time when Bagan was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom. 

Today some of the constructions have been reconstructed, while others remained in ruins. The site is truly a stunning sight to see as the temples and other constructions are built in different sizes and levels of luxury, making the area an exciting exploration ground. Some of the ways you can explore the area are by riding old local bicycles, hiring a horse or a cart, or even by taking a hot air balloon ride over the site for the ultimate travel experience.

Great Wall of China

One of the top places to visit in China is definitely the Great Wall of China which stretches almost 6,000 kilometers through forests and mountains. This huge construction has been built over the centuries with the oldest sections dating back to the 7th century BC. On top of that, this is the only man-made monument visible from space.

The wall consists of watch towers, horse tracks, fortresses, and passes that you can explore while walking down the wall. You can visit this UNESCO World Heritage site on a day trip from Beijing or opt for a bigger adventure by joining one of the many organized multi-day camping and hiking trips that allow you to visit sections of the wall that you wouldn’t be able otherwise if you were to visit the wall as a day trip.

Stonehenge, England

England is home to this marvelous prehistoric monument that draws a large number of visitors each year. While Stonehenge is believed to be built between 3000-1500 BC, there is no real historic record of its origin or purpose. This makes the historic site even more enchanting and mysterious for the visitors.

Today the site of the Bronze Age ring of standing stones is one of the most visited UNESCO sites during the summer and winter solstices. Some come here for mystical, religious beliefs, others simply want to experience the beauty of the moment when the light from the sunrise and sunset is aligned with the stones. Since the site is located near the city of Salisbury, it can be easily visited on a day trip from London.

Nubian Monuments, Egypt

Last but definitely not least is the fascinating Nubian Monuments in Egypt which are the perfect destination for any ancient history and archaeology lover. The Nubian Monument is a collection of incredible ancient temples, statues, and other constructions that have been dedicated to ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.

The collection includes incredible rock-cut Temples of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari in Abu Simbel that have been relocated to avoid the rising waters of the Nile. The fact itself makes the construction even more incredible to the human mind. Another site, the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, is a temple dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess that has also been moved to a new location thanks to the UNESCO campaign.

Photo: Travel mania/Shutterstock

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