All of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World have ceased to exist, save for one—the Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest among the Seven Ancient Wonders. Since the New Seven Wonders of the World was announced on July 7, 2007 (07.07.07), conversations surrounding an eighth wonder of the world flutter about constantly.

Interestingly, while the Wonders of the World usually refer to monuments or places, some individuals or fictional characters have been informally referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. The argument for the former includes individuals like André the Giant and Cleopatra, while the latter has been attributed to characters like King Kong. This fascinating parallel celebrates the original concept of the Seven Wonders of the World—of remarkable human-made structures and natural sites.

While the world has endless wonders to discover, let these awe-inspiring places charm their way onto your travel bucket list. Perhaps, one day, they will claim the coveted title of being the Eighth Wonder of the World.

1. The Terracotta Army, China

Can you believe that this army of sculpted figures in a massive underground site was discovered as recently as 1974? More than 8,000 life-sized Terracotta Warrior sculptures have been successfully excavated so far, each said to have unique facial features and expressions. Besides warriors, there are also sculptures of cavalry horses, chariots, and other figures.

Said to be buried over 2,000 years ago, they were built as part of the mausoleum to guard the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It is said that the emperor wanted to have a form of civilisation in the afterlife, hence the inclusion of officials and even acrobats among the figures.

2. Sigiriya Lion Rock, Sri Lanka

While there isn’t an official Eighth Wonder of the World yet, Sigiriya Lion Rock may be the closest to grasping the title, as it’s recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can admire this Sri Lankan World Heritage Site from the many vantage points nearby. Pidurangala Rock is a popular, up-close viewpoint for both sunrise and sunset views of the Sigiriya Lion Rock.

True to its name, the rock is a shadow of what it once was: a lion. The only evidence left of its namesake are the protruding stone lion paws that nestle a staircase leading up to the summit. Those who feel so inclined to climb the stairs will find the ruins of what was once an ancient royal complex—arguably one of the most extraordinary examples of architecture from the ancient world.

3. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand

Who would have thought that the mesmerising Pandora Eywa Trees of Avatar (2009) could be real? Word on the internet is that James Cameron may have been inspired by glowworms after all. The bioluminescent nature of the glowworm truly is a sight for sore eyes—and a rare one too. While these enchanting insects can also be found in other locations around the world, including Australia and Europe, the Arachnocampa luminosa species can only be found in New Zealand.

They typically cover cave ceilings, like a star-strewn canopy hanging overhead, where they hunt for prey using long threads of sticky web and their soft, alluring blue-green glow. Tours of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves are usually guided by local Māori people. They often share cultural and spiritual stories associated with the area, making the experience immersive, while enjoying a rare natural sight.

4. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

A true wonder of nature takes form in Ngorongoro Crater. Located in northern Tanzania, it is the world’s biggest, inactive, intact volcanic caldera formed after the explosion and collapse of a giant volcano some 2 to 3 million years ago. Any NatGeo enthusiast would easily fall in love with this natural wonder, also home to Africa’s Big Five of wildlife: lions, African elephants, African buffaloes, rhinos, and the elusive leopard.

Leopards may be a rare sight due to the open grassland and swampy nature of Ngorongoro Crater. The other animals, however, can easily be spotted in all their glory for visitors going on safari tours regulated by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). Who knows? You may just be the lucky traveller to catch a rare sight of Ngorongoro Crater’s leopards.

5. Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines

Fun fact about Banaue Rice Terraces: it is said that if all the terraces were built from one end to the other, they would be able to cover half of the world! An interesting and thought-provoking perspective indeed. The word ‘impressive’ cannot even begin to describe this spectacular ancient engineering feat. Having been in existence for over 2,000 years, the Banaue Rice Terraces remain an important source of livelihood for the Ifugao people and the Philippines.

However, environmental threats such as earthquakes and El Niño have since shifted the management of the rice terraces from the locals to Philippine government bodies in an effort to preserve them. Economic activity has also since shifted from rice exports to tourism. From embarking on a journey through the hiking trails provided to swimming in the Guihob Natural Pool in its vicinity, there are plenty of ways tourists can enjoy the ambience the terraces provide.

6. La Sagrada Familia, Spain

Construction of the La Sagrada Familia started more than 140 years ago, but it has yet to reach its final form. One of its many striking features is its towering build, standing proud in the city centre of Barcelona, in contrast to its surroundings.

The way its stature is dramatically revealed to anyone ascending the escalator from an underground metro station nearby has contributed to its recent buzz on social media. This has driven hordes of tourists to obtain personal videographic evidence of seeing it for the very first time. A TikTok trend of this has apparently caused an increase in security at the metro station.

Suffice to say, the unfinished work of Antoni Gaudí continues to enchant many with every year of its ongoing construction. It is a living enigma that captures and embraces every era until today, slowly achieving Gaudí’s original vision.

Which of these worthy contenders will you add to your own list of must-see wonders?