The historic remains of Machu Picchu stand 2,430 metres above sea level, tucked away in a rugged jungle on the eastern slopes of the Andes. They are a striking reminder of the Inca civilisation. Machu Picchu, commonly known as The Lost City of the Incas, was erected in 1462 AD but abandoned 100 years later, preventing Spanish conquistadors from destroying and pillaging it.
This Red Rose City, which consists of spectacular buildings carved into sandstone outcrops, was once a centre of activity where trade routes for silk, spices, and other goods came together, connecting Egypt, Syria, and Greece with China, India, and southern Arabia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site today, Petra welcomes hundreds of people every day.
The Khmer Empire, which historically dominated the majority of South East Asia, was centred in this historic metropolis in Cambodia. The Khmer Empire shifted its capital as its authority waned, leaving behind a number of beautiful temples and buildings in the process. Before it was unearthed in the 1860s, abandoned Angkor had been reclaimed by the forest for many years.
One of the greatest Mayan towns' remains may be found tucked away in the Yucatan Peninsula's rainforests. Through its abundance of ornate and lavishly designed ceremonial structures, like as temples, pyramids, palaces, and observatories, Chichen Itza is renowned for illuminating the confluence of the Mayan and Toltec civilizations.
The biggest collection of ancient Hindu and Jain temples may be found in the northern Indian temple town of Khajuraho, which also serves as a spectacular example of the style. Only 20 of the original 85 rough river sandstone temples have withstood the test of time and are still relatively well maintained.
The Giza Plateau, which sits on the western bank of the Nile River, is where you'll find some of antiquity's most stunning monuments and, in many ways, the planet's first truly advanced civilization.
The structures on the Acropolis in Athens may be some of the most well-known examples of the sophistication and architectural boldness of Ancient Greek civilization. The four greatest works of classical Greek art are found on this well-known flat-topped rock, which rises 150 metres above sea level and is not just stunningly beautiful.