8 Must-Visit Historical Sites In the World

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - When people talk about travel destinations, some places are famous for their stunning natural beauty, some are known for their incredible food, and some are loved for their lively culture. But if you are someone who finds meaning in history and loves learning about how people lived in the past, then exploring must-visit historical sites around the world is something you should put at the top of your list.

To help you plan your next trip, we have put together a list of must-visit historical sites that are recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding value to humanity.

Angkor Wat is one of the biggest temples ever built, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was first built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple and later became a Buddhist place of worship. The temple is known for its beautiful stone carvings, tall towers, and a large water channel that goes all the way around it. Even today, it is a holy and important place for the people of Cambodia.

Located in Central Java, Indonesia, Borobudur holds the title of the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Built around the 9th century during the Sailendra dynasty, this massive structure is made up of nine stacked platforms decorated with over 2,600 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues. Watching the sunrise from the top of Borobudur, with mist covering the surrounding hills, is an experience that is hard to forget.

If you are fascinated by ancient civilizations, Chichén Itzá in Mexico is a place you should not miss. This was once one of the most powerful cities of the Mayan civilization, thriving between the 9th and 12th centuries. The site is home to El Castillo, a towering step pyramid that also served as a calendar. Every year during the spring and autumn equinox, the shadow on its steps creates the illusion of a serpent descending to the ground.

Nestled in the hills just outside Lisbon, Portugal, Sintra feels like a place taken straight out of a storybook. The town is known for its colorful royal palaces, medieval castles, and lush gardens that wind through the hillside. The most iconic of all is the Palace of Pena, built in the 19th century and painted in bold shades of red and yellow. Walking through Sintra, it is easy to understand why poets and writers have long been drawn to this place.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan in India, is widely known as the Pink City because of the rose-colored sandstone used across many of its buildings. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and was designed following ancient Hindu architectural principles, making it one of the first planned cities in India. From the grand Amber Fort to the intricately designed Hawa Mahal, every corner of Jaipur tells a story of royal history and rich culture.

Perched high in the Andes Mountains of Peru at about 2,430 meters above sea level, Machu Picchu is one of the most remarkable achievements of the Inca civilization. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, the site was largely unknown to the outside world until 1911. The ruins include temples, terraces, and stone houses, all constructed without the use of mortar. The dramatic mountain scenery surrounding the site makes it one of the most breathtaking places on earth.

Few buildings in the world carry as much emotion as the Taj Mahal. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tribute to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, this white marble mausoleum stands on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. Its perfectly symmetrical design, ornate inlay work, and reflecting pools have made it one of the most recognized structures in the world. It is often described as a symbol of eternal love.

Standing on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are among the oldest and most enduring structures ever created by humans. The Great Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BCE, was once the tallest man-made structure in the world and held that record for over 3,800 years. Visiting this site in person gives you a real sense of how extraordinary these ancient builders were, long before modern tools and technology even existed.