The video highlights 30 man-made wonders of the world, divided into several sections. The wonders include famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, and the Pyramids of Giza. Other wonders include the Lalibela Churches, the Meenakshi Amman Temple, and the Ifugao Rice Terraces. Each wonder is presented with its unique history and significance, showcasing their awe-inspiring architecture, cultural and historical significance, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.
- 00:00:00 In this section, the video highlights the Lalibela Churches in the Ethiopian highlands, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, Himeji Castle in Japan and the Meenakshi Amman Temple in India. The monolithic, intricately-carved Lalibela Churches are known for their tunnels and passages, while the slanted belltower of the Leaning Tower of Pisa attracts tourists from around the world. Himeji Castle is a fine example of Japanese castle architecture and is also known for its unique white egret castle nickname, while the Meenakshi Amman Temple is a colorful and impressive Hindu temple with intricate carvings.
- 00:05:00 In this section, we learn about four amazing man-made wonders of the world. First, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, designed by Jørn Utzon, which hosts over 1,500 performances every year and is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Sydney Harbour and Royal Botanic Gardens. Next is the Leshan Great Buddha in China, which stands at over 233 feet tall and took almost 90 years to complete with the help of thousands of sculptors and workers. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge spanning across San Francisco Bay in California, which took four years to build and is known for its red-orange color. Lastly, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, built by Ivan the Terrible, with its colorful onion domes, unique architecture, and historic links to a victorious battle in Tatarstan.
- 00:10:00 In this section, we explore four man-made wonders of the world. The Alhambra in Granada, Spain was built on the ruins of Roman fortifications and served as a palace and fortress for the Islamic Moors who ruled much of the Iberian peninsula for almost 1,000 years. The Moai Statues on Easter Island in Polynesia were carved from volcanic ash by the Rapa Nui people between 400 and 1500 AD and are believed to be created to honor important clan ancestors and to improve the soil. The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France was built between 1887 and 1889 as the grand entrance to the World’s Fair and held the title of the world’s tallest man-made structure until 1930. Lastly, Abu Simbel in Egypt is counted amongst the most majestic monuments and consists of two massive rock temples on the western bank of Lake Nasser.
- 00:15:00 In this section, we learn about three of the 30 greatest man-made wonders of the world. The Abu Simbel Temples in Egypt were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses The Great, but were relocated in its entirety in the 1960s to avoid being submerged during the building of the Aswan Dam. The Ifugao Rice Terraces on the island of Luzon have been used for growing rice on terraces that follow the contours of the Cordilleras Mountains for over 2,000 years. Lastly, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building at 2715 feet, featuring two observation decks and a restaurant-bar on the 122nd floor. It took up to 13,000 workers working day and night to complete. Visitors can take a trip to the “At the Top” observation deck on the 124th floor for the most popular experience.
- 00:20:00 In this section, four man-made wonders of the world are highlighted. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a massive church constructed in the early 16th century where Peter, the apostle, is said to have been buried. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, created with two million blocks of volcanic stone in the 9th century. The ancient roman ruins of the Temples of Baalbek in Lebanon, including the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus are significant historical sites. The Acropolis in Athens is a monumental hill and ancient site featuring attractions such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheum, constructed in the 5th century BC.
- 00:25:00 In this section, we learn about three incredible man-made wonders of the world. First, Chichen Itza in Mexico, a Mayan city abandoned over 800 years ago, with its highlight being the Temple of Kukulkan. Next, the Great Wall of China, a defensive structure spanning over 15 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions, which took over two thousand years to construct. Last but not least, Christ the Redeemer, a 98-feet tall concrete and soapstone statue located atop Corcovado peak in Rio de Janeiro, and Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Incan citadel in Peru that is only accessible through hiking trails or a train ride.
- 00:30:00 In this section, we are presented with three man-made wonders of the world: Machu Picchu, Hagia Sophia, and the Statue of Liberty. Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located in the Peruvian Andes, showcasing their unique architecture. Hagia Sophia, on the other hand, is a Byzantine structure that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum throughout history. Finally, the Statue of Liberty stands tall on Liberty Island in New York City, representing America’s ideals of freedom and democracy. Each of these wonders holds immense cultural and historical significance, attracting millions of visitors every year.
- 00:35:00 In this section, we learn about four of the 30 Greatest Man-Made Wonders of the World. The Colosseum in Rome stands out due to its awe-inspiring architecture, massive size, and historical significance as the site of countless gladiatorial contests and animal hunts. The ancient city of Petra in Jordan, carved out of pink sandstone cliffs and once filled with green gardens and bustling markets, is now home to abandoned caves, temples, and tombs, including the stunning two-story Treasury carved into the rock face. Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the largest Angkor temple, is a magnificent monument built around the first half of the 12th century, featuring a rectangular reservoir and a series of three rectangular terraces leading up to the central shrine and tower. Finally, the Taj Mahal in India, an immense white marble mausoleum and one of the greatest achievements of Mughal architecture, includes several other beautiful buildings, reflecting pools, and ornamental gardens.
- 00:40:00 In this section, we learn about the Pyramids of Giza, which are the world’s most famous landmarks and were built over the span of three generations during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and the only remnant of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, standing at an awe-inspiring height of 455 feet, making it the largest pyramid in Egypt.
