Visiting places of significance can turn a trip from purposeless traipsing into a voyage of meaning, steered by impactful history, cultural connections, and unforgettable sights. If you’re looking to manifest your own movement and forge pathways that inspire innovative thought, check out these life-altering landmarks that you should plan to visit sooner rather than later.
Leshan Giant Buddha
The Mont-Saint-Michel
Depending on the water levels around Mont-Saint-Michel, off the coast of Normandy, France, the island could appear to be on elevated land surrounded by grazing sheep when the tide is low. But at high tide, the commune island seems to be a floating fairytale land, separated from the mainland. The dualism of this one-of-a-kind landmass attracts millions of visitors every year, and remains an entry on even more travel wish lists.
Easter Island Moai Statues
In the last century, hundreds of moai statues have been recovered and restored on Easter Island. With original assembly dating back to over half a millenia ago, the task of carving and transporting the stone structures is hard to imagine, making it a fascinating destination for globetrotters with far-reaching travel goals. On display in Rapa Nui National Park (which is 40% of the surface area of the island), the moai statues can be found along the base of the dormant volcanic craters on the island.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Built in a town that pulls its name from an ancient Greek term meaning “marshy land,” the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a marble marvel. The tower has a shallow foundation and is surrounded by soft land, yet it slants without falling over. At some point, the structure was actively tilting, but after much trial and error, an adjustment was made that allows it to stand at its current five-degree slant for another few hundred years. In the meantime, travelers who know better have it at the top of their to-do lists, just in case.
Statue of Liberty
Gifted to the United States by France, the Statue of Liberty has been a sign of international unity since it was shipped to New York City at the end of the 1880s. Today, it’s still the dream of many drifting spirits to peer through the crown that tops the head of Lady Liberty, extended further upwards by the seven points said to represent every sea and continent. Even when travelers choose not to tour the inside of the statue, the view of the 305-foot copper goddess is no less striking from a distance, and well worth a premier place on any bucket list.
The Western Wailing Wall
Though the Western Wall (sometimes referred to as the “Wailing Wall”) is a sacred Jewish praying place, people of all nationalities and various denominations migrate from all over the globe to visit. The wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, with the Western Wall Plaza officially acting as a synagogue, though this is a place of importance in the history of Christianity and Islam as well. Renowned for its irrefutable cultural significance, the Western Wall is a pilgrimage people aspire to experience, no matter where they’re from in the world.
Angkor Wat
Though it’s the largest and most well-known Hindu temple in Angkor, Cambodia, Angkor Wat is one of over a thousand temples that make up the city, which has been dubbed a UNESCO world heritage site for its immense archeological value. Landmark lovers who want to maximize their visit hire tuk-tuks (an auto rickshaw) before sunrise, so they can view the once-in-a-lifetime view of golden rays stretching across the moat-mirrored image of the temple.
