The Taj Mahal, India

One of the world's most well-known and famous tourist attractions, the Taj Mahal (ताज महल) is a historical mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in 1632. It took about 10 years for the designers and architects of that time to build and decorate the structure. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations and a key man-made wonder of the world, alongside the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Taj Mahal is made of stunning white marble and looks especially striking against the sunny skies of India. It is located on the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, on the outskirts of Agra in northern India, not far from the country's capital, New Delhi. 

The Taj Mahal attracts tourists year-round. The palace known as the Taj Mahal is actually part of a larger complex designed by the architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. There is a beautiful garden of approximately 100 acres surrounding the palace, and a large mosque faces the Taj Mahal. A grand gateway made of marble serves as the main entrance to the complex, and visitors approach the palace by walking along pedestrian pathways beside a long reflecting pool. However, the Taj Mahal tomb, with its intricate exterior and interior designs, massive main gateway, and four 240-foot-tall minarets framing the tomb, is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the architectural ensemble. The landmark is one of the most important and valuable historical monuments in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside many other famous places.