Clariss Lim

Machu Picchu is also known as the 'Lost City of the Incas'. It is located 2,350 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America. This is the stronghold of the Inca Civilisation, and its attractions include 500-year-old architectures, walls and terraces. Tourists are offered two options to view the site, either exploring by foot and/or overlooking the area by helicopters.

Photo credit: https://www.planetware.com/photos-large/PER/peru-machu-picchu-world-heritage.jpg

The park is home to two of the world's most active volcanoes, the Mauna Loa and the Kilauea. The national park preserves the intimate connection between the natural history of the region and the Native Hawaiian culture. Volcanic eruptions have caused the park's landscape to change constantly. Tourists are also given the opportunity to witness the eruptions up close in a boat.

Photo credit: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/article/hawaii-volcanoes-national-park

Stonehenge is the most architecturally sophisticated prehistoric stone monument in the world. To ensure the horizontal lintels remain on the upright stones, interlocking joints were designed to prevent the lintels from falling. It is a sacred place of special religious and cultural significance for many. By visiting, tourists can learn about the Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial and mortuary practices.

Photo credit: https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/stonehenge

The city of Prague was built between the 11th and 18th centuries and bears a great colourful architectural and cultural influence. The city is rich in outstanding monuments from all periods of its history. An example of a monument is the Prague Castle. Tourists are able to experience the ancient Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles in the city.

Photo credit: https://sg.hotels.com/go/czech-republic/things-to-do-prague

The Victoria Falls, located in the continent of Africa, is one of four waterfalls that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its Outstanding Universal Value because of its exceptional geological and geomorphological features and active land formation process. Tourists can experience water sports and bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Photo credit: https://theculturetrip.com/africa/zimbabwe/articles/a-sustainable-guide-to-victoria-falls-zimbabwe/

The Great Barrier Reef, located in the Coral Sea, is the world's most extensive coral reef system and is home to various aquatic species. It obtained its distinction from the World Heritage Community for its great natural and universal value in 1981. Tourists are able to participate in water activities like snorkelling and scuba diving to get a closer view of the corals and animals.

Photo credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/colourful-coral-scene-underwater-with-fish-and-divers-gm1077171172-288503924

The Botanic Gardens is Singapore's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cultural landscape of the garden includes a rich variety of historic features, plantings and buildings that demonstrate the development of the garden since its creation in 1859. Deemed as a "Garden City", the Botanic Gardens is a great representative for tourists to view Singapore's clean and green environment.

Photo credit: https://www.visitsingapore.com/see-do-singapore/nature-wildlife/parks-gardens/singapore-botanic-gardens/

Changdeokgung Palace, alternatively known as one of the "Five Grand Palaces" in Seoul, was built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty in 1405. It is notable amongst tourists for its astounding architectural history, surrounding natural environment, and stunning conservation of the ecosystem that includes various ponds and gardens, hence drawing close to 5.3 million tourists.

Photo credit: https://www.theseoulguide.com/changdeokgung-palace/

The Dazu Rock Carvings, which dates back to the 9th to 13th century, can be found along the steep hills of Dazu. They are astounding and are known for their grand scale, aesthetic quality, rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, as well as for being well preserved. Every year many thousands of tourists from domestic and abroad pay a visit to Dazu to appreciate the rock carvings.

Photo credit: https://matttakesadumpling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/P9117039.jpg

The Taj Mahal, built between 1631 to 1648, is a massive monument made of white marble. It is considered to be the most prominent architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture and is also one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Approximately two million international tourists visit the Taj Mahal to admire the majestic architecture.

Photo credit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/eight-secrets-taj-mahal-180962168/