An absolute jewel of Islamic art, the Tah Majal is technically a mausoleum, though it could pass for a castle. (It was built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.) Surrounded by gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River, this 17th-century marble structure could hardly be grander if it were built today. Like the other must-visit modern wonders around the globe, the Taj Mahal is incredibly popular. If you can, visit early and on your own.

Chichen Itza is an ancient city that thrived more than 800 years ago. Once a global giant, today it stands as a massive Maya archaeological site, with 26 distinct ruins spanning 4 square miles (10 square kilometers). Located deep in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the UNESCO World Heritage Site offers an unparalleled glimpse into pre-Hispanic Mexico and the roots of the region’s Maya civilization.

Human-made structures don’t get much more famous than Rome’s Colosseum, one of the best-known “modern” architectural marvels to visit. Nearly 2,000 years old, this world wonder attests to a time of gladiators, emperors, and the Roman legion. Still reasonably intact, the Colosseum can easily be seen from the road, but the real magic happens inside. It’s an incredibly popular spot—skip-the-line tickets are a good start, but private or semi-private tours are the way to go to beat the crowds.

Somehow, Rio de Janeiro’s massive Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) escaped being kitsch and instead became a world wonder. The 124-foot (38-meter) statue of Jesus is built high atop Corcovado Mountain, and the views up here certainly don’t hurt. From the statue’s platform, it’s nothing but city skylines, jungle, and ridges like Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar) rising among the bright-blue waves of the South Atlantic.

Some 1,800 years ago, builders erected the 13,171-mile (21,196-kilometer) Great Wall of China—they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. One of the world’s greatest feats of engineering, the wall was built as border control; today, it’s a popular tourist site. In fact, it’s so popular, there’s a visitation limit on certain sections, like the Great Wall at Badaling near Zhangjiakou. Despite the crowds, the Badaling section is still one of the best to access, largely thanks to tours from Beijing.

Petra is famously described in poetry as “half as old as time,” and that’s just about right. An ancient city carved into rock—literally—Petra is by far the country’s most popular attraction. While the freestanding city is mostly gone (2,000 years will do that), the fantastic rock-carved tombs, treasury, and more still hide stoic in the cliffsides. At least for now, the “back entrance” is still noticeably less crowded—look for a pro guide who specializes in this ancient Bedouin trail.

The Mayas have Chichen Itza, and the Incas have Machu Picchu, a 15th-century city built at nearly 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) in the Andes Mountains. To get here requires tickets, going with a guide, and either a train ride or hiking the UNESCO–listed Inca Trail—but even with all that, it’s worth it to see one of the most famous archaeological ruins on the planet.