With so many cities in the world to visit, there is one that has consistently been placed among the world’s top five most visited cities. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), France is the world’s most visited country and Paris is among the top five most visited cities. With so many landmarks in the world, there are those that are most visited and categorized as beloved. TripAdvisor explained in a press release their algorithm in which they “took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide over a 12-month period.” Utilizing this algorithm, they compiled a list of the world’s most beloved landmarks through travelers’ choice.

TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice World’s Most Beloved Landmarks

1. Machu Picchu (Machu Picchu, Peru)
2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
3. Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
4. St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City, Italy)
5. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

It is very interesting to learn that some popular landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China are not on the list. Temitope Williams (17’) and Andrew Goodrich (17’) both made their own separate top five lists without prior knowledge of the list made by Trip Advisor. Both said that Paris must be the most visited city, in which they were correct, but in concluding that because of this the Eiffel Tower must be the most beloved landmark was incorrect. Both students went on to say that The Great Wall of China and The Statue of Liberty must be among the top five. Temitope managed to guess the Taj Mahal as the fifth most beloved landmark and was amazed with this. Upon learning what the top five most beloved landmarks really were, she said, “I’m surprised and was so sure of my guesses. I was happy I got one though.” Andrew Goodrich did not guess any on the list, but rather the usual tourism landmarks. He said, “Wow, that’s interesting to learn and I notice that there are many religious landmarks included in the list.” The list is not what most people would guess to comprise some of the most beloved landmarks. Yet after learning them, it is understandable. Many students here may go on to visit any one of these landmarks, or more likely Paris.