Seven Wonders of the World: The Full List and How to Visit the 7 Wonders

The New Seven Wonders of the World are the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy and the Taj Mahal in India. They were chosen in a global public vote and announced in Lisbon on 7 July 2007. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the only one of the original seven Ancient Wonders still standing, was made an honorary candidate.

Last checked: 27 October 2026. Ticket prices and booking rules change often, and some figures below come from recent reports rather than official price lists. Always check the official site for each wonder before you book.

The 7 Wonders of the World at a glance

What are the New Seven Wonders of the World?

The list comes from a campaign run by the New7Wonders Foundation, started by Bernard Weber. Members of the public voted online and by phone from a shortlist of 21 finalists, and the winners were announced at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on 7 July 2007 (New7Wonders). The poll was popular rather than scientific, since people could vote more than once, and UNESCO was not involved. Even so, the seven winners have become the most widely used "7 wonders of the world" list, and every one of them is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Egypt objected to its pyramids having to compete in a vote, as they were already on the original list. The organisers made the Pyramids of Giza an honorary candidate, which is why many guides list them as an eighth wonder.

The seven wonders, one by one

Great Wall of China. More a system of walls than one structure, built and rebuilt over around two thousand years. The stone and brick sections with watchtowers that appear in most photos date mainly from the Ming dynasty. From Beijing, Mutianyu is the best all-rounder, Badaling is the busiest, and Jinshanling suits keen walkers. Book Mutianyu in advance with your passport on the official Mutianyu site. China's visa-free entry for UK passport holders runs until 31 December 2026, so check GOV.UK if you are travelling after that. Read our Great Wall of China guide.

Petra. The Nabataean capital in southern Jordan, carved straight into rose-coloured sandstone over two thousand years ago. The walk through the Siq to the Treasury is the classic first view, and the Monastery is around 800 steps further up. Allow two days if you can. Fees are on the official Petra fees page. Read our Petra guide.

Christ the Redeemer. The 30-metre Art Deco statue on top of Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, completed in 1931. Cloud often covers the summit, so go early on a clear day and check the summit view before you set off. You can go up by the cog train through the Tijuca Forest or by official van. Read our Christ the Redeemer guide.

Machu Picchu. The 15th-century Inca citadel at 2,430 metres in the Peruvian Andes. Entry is by timed ticket on set circuits, numbers are capped each day, and the extra climbs such as Huayna Picchu need their own tickets. Buy from the official Ministry of Culture ticket site and book early for June to August. Spend a couple of days in Cusco first to get used to the altitude. Read our Machu Picchu guide.

Chichen Itza. The great Maya city in Mexico's Yucatan, dominated by the stepped pyramid of El Castillo. It is a long day trip from Cancun, so arrive at opening to beat the heat and the tour buses. Since 2026 the federal and state fees are paid together on one ticket. Read our Chichen Itza guide.

The Colosseum. Rome's amphitheatre, opened in AD 80 and able to hold tens of thousands of spectators. Buy timed tickets from the official Colosseum ticket site. Tickets carry your name, so bring ID. Summer morning slots sell out fast, and resellers charge more. Read our Colosseum guide.

Taj Mahal. The white marble mausoleum in Agra that Shah Jahan built for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the 17th century. Go at sunrise for soft light and smaller crowds, and remember it is closed to visitors on Fridays. UK visitors need a visa or e-Visa for India. See the official Taj Mahal site and read our Taj Mahal guide.

Great Pyramid of Giza. Built for the pharaoh Khufu around 4,500 years ago, and the oldest and only surviving wonder of the ancient world. The plateau ticket covers the pyramids and the Sphinx from outside, and going inside the Great Pyramid is a separate ticket. Check Egypt's official monuments site for current fees, and read our Pyramids of Giza guide.

The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World

The original list was drawn up by Greek writers around the second century BC, and it only covers the Mediterranean and Middle East as they knew it. Only one wonder still stands:

• Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. Still standing.
• Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in modern Iraq. No trace has been found, and some historians doubt they existed.
• Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, in modern Turkey. A single rebuilt column stands near Selcuk.
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece. Lost, but the site of ancient Olympia can be visited.
• Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, in modern Bodrum, Turkey. Only foundations remain.
• Colossus of Rhodes, Greece. Toppled by an earthquake within decades of being built.
• Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt. Destroyed by earthquakes in the Middle Ages.

Visiting several wonders in one trip

Few people see all seven at once, but some pairs fit well together: Chichen Itza and a Caribbean beach in Mexico, Machu Picchu and Rio on a South America trip, Petra and the Pyramids in a Jordan and Egypt route, or the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall on a longer Asia trip. If you are doing a round-the-world trip, one global plan saves buying a new eSIM in every country.

SimplySIM's Global plans cover all eight countries in this guide. On 27 October 2026, SimplySIM plans included:

For a trip to just one or two wonders, a single-country plan is usually much cheaper. For example, India 5GB 30 Days was £9.29 and Peru 5GB 30 Days was £11.99 on the same date. See all options on the regional and global eSIMs page and our global eSIM guide.

Staying connected at the wonders

• China is different. Google, WhatsApp and many familiar apps are blocked on Chinese networks and hotel Wi-Fi. Many travellers find these apps work on an international travel eSIM, but this is not guaranteed. Read our guide to the Great Firewall, Google and WhatsApp before you go.
• Download offline maps before visiting remote sites such as Machu Picchu, Petra and the quieter Great Wall sections, where signal can be patchy.
• Keep tickets on your phone and on paper. Most wonders now use timed e-tickets, so a flat battery or no signal at the gate is a real problem.
• Travel eSIMs are data only. Keep your UK SIM for calls and bank texts, and check your phone works with our compatibility checker.

FAQs

What are the 7 wonders of the world?

The New Seven Wonders, chosen in 2007, are the Great Wall of China, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, the Colosseum and the Taj Mahal. The Great Pyramid of Giza holds honorary status.

Which of the original seven wonders still exists?

Only the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The other six Ancient Wonders were destroyed by earthquakes, fire or time, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon may never have existed.

Why is the Great Pyramid not one of the New 7 Wonders?

Egypt objected to the pyramids competing in a public vote, since they were already a recognised wonder. The organisers gave the Pyramids of Giza honorary status instead.

How do you visit all 7 wonders of the world?

The wonders are on four continents, so most people visit them over several trips. If you do a round-the-world route, plan around each site's best season, book timed tickets for Machu Picchu, the Colosseum and Mutianyu early, and consider a global eSIM so you have data in every country.

Which wonder is the easiest to visit from the UK?

The Colosseum in Rome. It is a short flight away, the ticket is simple to book online, and no visa is needed for a short stay. Check the latest EU entry rules in our guide to EES and ETIAS for UK travellers.

Do I need a special eSIM for China?

Many travellers find international travel eSIMs give access to apps that are blocked on local Chinese networks, but this is not guaranteed. Download offline maps and translation packs before you go.