The Great Ziggurat of Ur: The Ancient Monument of Mesopotamia

The Great Ziggurat of Ur (Ziggurat Etemenniguru) is the best-preserved temple complex in ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq). It was constructed early in the 21st century BC (about 2047 BC) in the city of Ur by the local kings Ur Nammu and Shulgi. The Ekishnugal Sanctuary was built to honour the lunar god Nanna. In the following years, it was restored several times and was substantially expanded by the New Babylonian king Nabonidus.

The Great Ziggurat of Ur, or Ziggurat Etemenniguru, is one of the best-known surviving monuments of ancient Mesopotamia.

Floating Markets of Southeast Asia

A floating market can be described as a market that appears on the river, the main traffic route—a place where both the buyer and the seller use boats to transport their goods. The floating market is typically located in sections of the river that are neither too broad nor too narrow. The river section must not be too wide or too short. Many floating markets were established in areas where water transport was necessary. They are primarily tourist attractions and can be found in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka.

Traditional boats loaded with fresh fruits and local produce create a colorful scene at Bangladesh’s vibrant floating markets.

Bailong Elevator – Zhangjiajie China Elevator

One of the most extraordinary pieces of engineering in a natural landscape, the Bailong Elevator in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China, dramatically ascends a towering quartzite cliff. The elevator is also called the Hundred Dragons Elevator. It’s a huge glass elevator that takes visitors vertically through the stunning mountains of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

Guinness World Records officially recognises the Bailong Elevator as the highest outdoor lift in the world, at 326 metres (1,070 feet). It combines modern engineering with one of the most dramatic natural environments in China, and is a remarkable way to experience the famous sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie.

The Bailong Elevator rises dramatically along a towering cliff in Zhangjiajie, China.

Moon Bridge in Taiwan

In the centre of Taipei City, Taiwan, a delicate white bridge spans the waters of Dahu Park in the Neihu District. One of the park’s most recognisable features is the elegant Moon Bridge, a landmark. The bridge’s arch shape is reflected in the tranquil lake, creating a beautiful scene that blends a traditional design inspired by China with Taipei's natural landscape.

Moon Bridge is a scenic landmark spanning Dahu Lake in Taipei, Taiwan.

Five Flower Lake – Jiuzhaigou

Five Flower Lake (Wuhua Hai) is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan, China. The lake, known for its vibrant turquoise, emerald-green, deep blue, and golden hues, resembles a giant natural painting surrounded by mountains and forests. Its vibrant colours are the result of a combination of mineral-rich water, travertine deposits, submerged vegetation, algae, sunlight, and the lake's exceptionally clear waters. According to the official Jiuzhai Valley National Park website, Five Flower Lake is located at an elevation of 2,472 metres, covers an area of approximately 90,000 square metres, and has a depth of approximately 5 metres. 

The colourful waters of Five Flower Lake, located in Jiuzhaigou Valley, are a stunning feature of the area.

Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Ancient Rock Fortress

Rising dramatically above the forests of central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is one of the country's most extraordinary historic sites. The enormous rock seems to rise from the ground, its steep sides towering over the surrounding green landscape. At the summit are the remains of an ancient royal citadel, while the gardens, ponds, frescoes and monumental entrance below reveal how carefully the site was designed.

Sigiriya rises dramatically above the surrounding forests of central Sri Lanka.

James Bond Island Thailand: The Story of Khao Ta Pu

Rising dramatically from the green waters of Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand, this narrow limestone rock has become one of the country's most recognisable natural landmarks. Known as Ko Tapu, or Khao Ta Pu, the rock is widely called James Bond Island because of its appearance in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. The island itself is surprisingly small, but its shape makes it unforgettable. A slender column of rock rises from the sea, appearing wider near the top and narrower toward the water. Around it are towering limestone cliffs, small islands, and sheltered waters that give Phang Nga Bay its distinctive scenery.

The famous James Bond Island rises from Phang Nga Bay.

Madain Saleh – Hegra Saudi Arabia: The Ancient City Carved in Stone

Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh or Al-Hijr, is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia. The ancient settlement is renowned for its colossal tombs, carved directly into towering rocks in the sandstone landscapes of AlUla. The elaborate façades of Hegra, in an otherwise quiet desert landscape, seem almost unreal.

Ancient Nabataean tombs carved into the sandstone landscape of Hegra.

Dragon Bridge Vietnam

Dragon Bridge, in Vietnamese Cầu Rồng — the longest bridge in Vietnam — sits in the city of Da Nang. It offers a spectacular display of lights, fire, and water. It measured 666 metres in length and 37.5 metres in width and was built in the form of a golden dragon. Danang Bridge, which spans the Han River in six lanes, is a popular spot for travelling photographers and serves as a direct route to My Khe Beach or Non-Nuoc Beach. 

Dragon bridge at night

Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi Temple

Veerabhadra temple, a Hindu temple, is located in Lepakshi in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Virabhadra is the temple's emanation, and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in the 16th century and featured Vijayanagara architecture. There are various carvings and paintings on almost every surface. A huge Nandi (bull), the mount of Shiva, is located approximately 200m from the temple, and It is made from one block of stone, which is believed to be the largest of its kind.

Hanging pillar

Kayakoy – Turkey Ghost Town

Kayaköy is an abandoned village located 8 km south of Fethiye, in southwest Turkey's old Lycia Province. The town's name, which was originally in Ancient Greek, was Livissi. It changed to Koine Greek during the Roman period. In the Middle Ages, it became Byzantine Greek and then Modern Greek before its final evacuation in 1923.

Ghost city Turkey

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages

A typical structure of the landscape in the Kaiping county of Jiangmen district in Guangdong, China, is the famous multi-storey fortified towers called Diaolou, the Kaiping Towers. These areas include four distinct Kaiping village areas: Sanmenli, Zilicun, Jinjiangli, and Majianglong village cluster. These areas display a unique combination of Western and 19th-century Chinese architectural styles. Their function was clearly military, but they were also made with remarkable artistic taste, making them one of the area's great tourist attractions today. 

Kaiping Guangdong

Toyoni Lake — Japan's Heart-Shaped Lake

Toyoni Lake is a secret gem found in the remote area of Erimo Town, Hokkaido, the second-largest island of Japan. It has become a tourist destination. The lush forest surrounds this freshwater lake, which would be stunning on its own. However, the lake's unique shape has earned it a reputation as a tourist attraction.

Kofun Tombs: Keyhole-shaped Mounds

In Japan, there are very special types of tombs that adorn the landscape between Osaka and Nara, both for their authenticity and their antiquity, and that makes them unique in the world. These are the Kofun tombs shaped like a keyhole and whose name refers to the period of their creation.

Daisenryo Kofun, 2.8 km in circumference and the largest kofun in Japan, is thought to be the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku

StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork

StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork: is one of the new tourist attractions near Baguio City. Located along the main road of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines. This can be considered a huge artwork with beautiful and colorful houses located on the Barangay Balili hillside.  Inspired by Favela paintings in Brazil, with the idea of painting all the houses with different colors, "Valley of colors" is a great welcome for any visitors to come With La Trinidad city, Philippines.

Baguio Colored Houses

Blue Pond – Japan

Blue Pond, Japan, Hokkaido: The mysterious Shirogane Blue Lake, also known as Biei or Shirogane Blue Pond, is among the most unique landscapes in Hokkaido, Japan. It is located near Biei, in the foothills of the Tokachi mountain range. The pond is famous for its bright turquoise to cobalt blue water and the pale trunks of larch trees rising from the surface.

Shirogane Blue Pond is a remarkable Hokkaido landscape known for its vivid blue water and submerged trees.

Hồ Thuỷ Tiên — Vietnam Abandoned Water Park

Hồ Thuỷ Tiên is an abandoned water park in Hue, Vietnam, also known as Thuy Tien Lake Park, which is an interesting tourist destination for many tourists, especially those who love to explore and experience the strange scenery of the ancient capital. The Thuy Tien lake park project in Thua Thien Hue has long been abandoned, causing a waste of resources. 

Ho Thuy Tien

Larung Gar – Serthar Buddhist Academy, Tibet

Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, also known as Serthar Buddhist Academy, is located in Larung valley at an altitude of 4,000 metres above sea level, about 15km from Sertar county, Garze district, East Tibet, in present-day Sichuan Province, known as Kham, China.

Ko Panyi – Floating Village in Thailand

Ko Panyi also known as Koh Panyee the floating island of Thailand is located in a bay in southern Thailand, in the shadow of vast limestone cliffs, hundreds of huts, shacks, restaurants and houses form the floating village of Ko Panyi. The sea area here is shallow and calm, allowing fishermen to build homes on the water. More than 360 families and nearly 1,700 people live in Koh Panyee, all of whom are descendants of Toh Baboo and his family and friends who sailed here from Indonesia about 200 years ago. So many people living here today still speak the Indo-Malay language. 

Ko Panyi - Floating island in Thailand

Katskhi Pillar

Katskhi Church is perched on a limestone pillar more than 40m high

The most isolated church in the world | From the city of Kutaisi, drive through beautiful, winding country roads about 60km in length to reach Katskhi village, you will be surprised to see the Georgia Pillar - a natural limestone formation over 40m high, towering in the middle space. The rock church Georgia, perched atop the stone pillar is Katskhi Church. One of the most famous structures in the Imereti region, also known as the world's most isolated and holiest church.

Katskhi pillar