How To Visit The New Seven Wonders Of The World From Your Living Room

With the world at a standstill due to Covid-19, virtual tours are proving invaluable to isolated globetrotters. From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, here’s how you can visit the New Seven Wonders of the World without even leaving your armchair.

The Great Wall of China

A winding, ancient fortification system that spans over 21,000 kilometres (13,000 miles), the Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world and China’s most-visited landmark. Travel agency The China Guide has created an immersive tour that allows visitors to take a virtual hike along certain sections of the wall, including a particularly breathtaking panorama of the hills between Jinshanling and Simatai at golden hour. The best part? No crowds!

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is an enduring symbol of the power and wealth of Ancient Rome

Petra, Jordan

An ancient Nabatean city carved into the pink cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra – or the Rose City, as it’s often called – is one of the world’s most breathtaking archaeological wonders. This audio-led 3D tour from Google Maps guides you all the way from the tombs and caves at Bab Al Siq, the gateway to the city, to the temple of Al-Khazneh and the Street of Facades.

Petra is an ancient city carved into the pink cliffs of southern Jordan

Machu Picchu, Peru

Every day, hundreds hike the Inca Trail in Peru to reach Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca citadel in the Andes Mountains. Virtual tour site YouVisit offers a 3D guide through the painstakingly built dry-stone city, taking in sweeping views over the Sacred Valley and accompanied by informative audio clips to give explorers an insight into the Inca Empire.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

The Taj Mahal is considered the world’s most beautiful building, and certainly the most elaborate memorial ever made to a wife. A masterpiece of Mughal architecture, fronted by immaculate gardens and flanked by white minarets, the ivory mausoleum is visited by millions of tourists every year. Make your way through the crowds using Google Street View, where you can virtually stroll along the reflecting pool and take in the marble masterpiece from the comfort of your own living room.

The Taj Mahal is an elaborate Mughal building in Agra, India

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer needs no introduction. Standing tall on Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, the 30-metre-high (98-foot), 28-metre-wide (92-foot) statue of Jesus Christ was constructed in the early half of the 20th century. The gigantic monument is now visited by nearly 2 million people a year. AirPano captures aerial, back and side views of Brazil’s most famous monument, taking in epic panoramas of the city and the mountains at different times of day. The sunrise over Sugarloaf Mountain and Rio’s sparkling night-time cityscape are particularly wonderful shots.

Christ the Redeemer is a giant statue on Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Concluding our list is Chichén Itzá, a complex of Maya ruins in the Mexican state of Yucatán. During the Terminal Classic period, Chichén Itzá was a busy settlement and the centre of economic and religious life for the Maya. Today, the collection of temples and pyramids attract 1.2 million tourists a year. Stockholm360 offers seven panoramas of the ancient city, accompanied by text describing the history and archaeological details of each site.

The temples and pyramids of Chichén Itzá attract over a million tourists per year

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.