Leshan Giant Buddha

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a giant stone Buddha that was created during the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), it is carved out of the cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. It faces Mount Emei with the river flowing beneath the feet of the stone sculpture as it is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world and listed as the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. Because of this extraordinary feat of human ingenuity the Leshan Giant Buddha has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Construction for this wonder began in 713 led by a Chinese monk named Haitong who wanted to make this stone sculpture because he hoped that by creating this sculpture that the waters would be calmed since they were turbulent and were causing problems for the trading ships. However there were insufficient fundings for the project and when Haitong heard that he gouged out his own eyes to demonstrate his piety and sincerity but Haitong died before the construction was completed and the project was halted until 70 years later when a Jiedushi, a military governor, decided to sponsor the project and it was completed in 803 by Haitong’s disciples; coincidently the waters where the statue was built became safe for ships to travel on.

However over the years the statue has slowly been degraded by the weather and pollution, this not only includes the Leshan Giant Buddha but also other cultural and important heritage sites all over China due to the heavy pollution in China. The government has vowed to restore the wonder to it’s former glory.
Some facts about the Leshan Giant Buddha:

. It is 71 meters tall

. There are several passages hidden in the Buddha's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears preventing the Buddha from serious erosion and weathering. He has been lovingly maintained on a regular basis throughout his 1,200-year history, but is still a bit mossy

. It’s smallest toenail can seat a person

Tian Tan Buddha

The Tian Tan Buddha is a large bronze Buddha statue that was completed in 1903 and now sits at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. It is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion. Construction began in 1990 and finished within three years on December of 1993, which is also the day that the founder of Buddhism attained Enlightenment, the statue was formed out of 202 separate pieces of bronze. In addition to the exterior components, there is a strong steel framework inside the statue to support the heavy load. When the statue was completed, monks from around the world were invited to the opening ceremony. Distinguished visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United States all took part in the proceedings.

Po Lin Monastery and the Buddha are open to the public between 10:00 and 17:45. Access to the outside of the Buddha is free of charge, but there is an admission fee to go inside the Buddha.
Visitors may also see the nearby monastery, known as the "Buddhist Kingdom in the South," which serves as an international Buddhist retreat, and is one of the largest and most well known in Hong Kong. The monastery was built by three Zen masters in 1920. The main temples have painted vermilion interiors with dragons and many other different Chinese mythical figures on the walls and ceilings. Visitors often spend time in the attached tea garden, the only tea garden in the territory. A five minute walk past the tea garden leads to the "Wisdom Path" - a very large wooden inscription of the Heart Sutra set within a figure 8 to symbolise infinity. One of the main attractions of this Buddha statue is climbing 268 steps and circling the platform (the lotus) where the Buddha sits.

Some facts about the Tian Tan Buddha:
- Constructed from 202 bronze pieces
- Weighs over 250 tonnes
- Is 34 meters high
- Sits atop 268 steps

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning tower of Pisa

The leaning Tower of Pisa is famous because it leans. Although it was designed to be perfectly vertical it started to lean during constructions. However, even without this famous characteristic this building would still be on e of the most remarkable architectural structures. It stands at 60 metres at about 10 degree angle.

Tower of Pisa is more accurately reffered to simply as the bell tower.  The Pisa tower is one of the four buildings that make up the cathedral complex in Pisa, Italy, called Camp dei Miracoli , which means Field of Miracles.

The leaning Tower of Pisa is the crowning glory. Although only a third as high as the Washington Monument, it was a miracle of engineering with 207 columns ranged around eight stories.

The construction of Tower of Pisa began in August 1173 and continued for about 200 years due to a series of war. Until today, the name of the architect is a mystery. The leaning Tower of Pisa was designed as a circular bell tower that would stand 185 feet high. It is constructed of white marble. The tower has eight stories, including the chamber for the bells. The bottom story consists of 15 marble arches. Each of the next six stories contains 30 arches that surround the tower. The final story is the bell chamber itself, which has 16 arches. There is a 297 step stpiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top.

The top of the leaning tower of Pisa is about 17 feet off the vertical. The tower is also slightly curved from attempts by various architects to keep it from leaning more or falling over.

Many ideas have been suggested to straighten the Tower of Pisa, including taking it apart stone by stone and rebuilding it at different location. In the 1920’s the foundations of the tower were injected with cement grouting that has stabilized the tower to some extent.

Until recent years tourists were not allowed to climb the staircase inside the tower, due to consolidation work. But now the leaning Tower of Pisa is open again and it is one of the wonders of the great architect in the world.

Ishtar Gate

The Ishtar Gate at Babylon

Reconstruction Glazed Brick

Total Height–47 Feet, Width-32 Feet

Neo-Babylonian

7th–6th Centuries BC

Dedicator: Nebuchadnezzar II

Language: Akkadian

Date of Excavation: 1899-1914

Staatliche Museen , Berlin

Dept. of the Near East

The Ishtar Gate, one of the eight gates of the inner city of Babylon, was built during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (604- 562 BC). Only the foundations of the gate were found with 45 feet. The gateway has been reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin, from the glazed bricks found, so its original height is different in size. Reconstructed height is 47 feet.


It was one of the eight gates of the inner city of Babylon. It was built in about 575 BC, the eighth fortified gate in the city. It is one of the most impressive monuments rediscovered in the ancient Near East. The Ishtar gate was decorated with glazed brick reliefs, in tiers, of dragons and young bulls. The gate itself was a double one, and on its south side was a vast antechamber. Through the gatehouse ran a stone-and brick-paved avenue called Processional Way,  which has been traced over a length of more than half a mile.

KNebuchadnezzar II of Babylon dedicated the great Ishtar Gate to the goddess Ishtar. It was the main entrance into Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar II performed elaborate building projects in Babylon around 604-562 BC. His goal was to beautify his capital. He restored the temple of Marduk, the chief god, and also built himself a magnificent palace with the famous Hanging Gardens.


It is believed that Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed Jerusalem, brought the kingdom of Judah to an end. The Ishtar Gate was the starting point for protest. The Babylonians would assemble in front of it and march through the arch and proceed along.

‘Reliefs of Lions’

The gateway was completely covered with beautifully colored glazed bricks. Its reliefs of dragons and bulls symbolized the gods Marduk and Adad. In front of the gateway outside the city was a road with walls decorated with reliefs of lions and glazed yellow tiles. The Ishtar gate was reconstructed in Berlin.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires. Once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum at Turkish Republic, Hagia Sophia has always been the precious of its time.

The mystical city Istanbul hosted many civilizations since centuries, of which Byzantium and Ottoman Empires were both the most famous ones. The city today carries the characteristics of these two different cultures and surely Hagia Sophia is a perfect synthesis where one can observe both Ottoman and Byzantium effects under one great dome.

Hagia was chosen a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985

Rebuilt by the orders of Emperor Justinian in 537, for 900 years Hagia Sophia had been the center of Orthodox Christianity until 1453 when the city was concurred by Ottomans. 500 years following the conquest of Muslims, it became a jewel for the Muslim world and as the grand mosque of the sultans.

In 1935, Hagia Sophia had been converted into a museum of Turkish Republic by the orders of Ataturk, and became one of the most significant monuments not only in Turkey but on earth with its architecture and its historical richness.

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Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.Chinese Name: 长城/万里长城
Chinese Pinyin: Cháng Chéng/Wàn Lǐ Cháng Chéng
Length: 8,851.8 km (5,500 miles)
Construction Period: About 2,000 years from the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC) to Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)Source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/

The Great Wall of China is not a continuous wall but is a collection of short walls that often follow the crest of hills on the southern edge of the Mongolian plain. The Great Wall of China, known as "long Wall of 10,000 Li" in China, extends about 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles).
A first set of walls, designed to keep Mongol nomads out of China, were built of earth and stones in wood frames during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE).
Some additions and modifications were made to these simple walls over the next millennium but the major construction of the "modern" walls began in the Ming Dynasty (1388-1644 CE).
The Ming fortifications were established in new areas from the Qin walls. They were up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) high, 15 to 30 feet (4.6 to 9.1 meters) wide at the base, and from 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.7 meters) wide at the top (wide enough for marching troops or wagons). At regular intervals, guard stations and watch towers were established.
Since the Great Wall was discontinuous, Mongol invaders had no trouble breaching the wall by going around it, so the wall proved unsuccessful and was eventually abandoned. Additionally, a policy of mollification during the subsequent Ch'ing Dynasty that sought to pacify the Mongol leaders through religious conversion also helped to limit the need for the wall.
Through Western contact with China from the 17th through 20th centuries, the legend of the Great Wall of China grew along with tourism to the wall. Restoration and rebuilding took place in the 20th century and in 1987 the Great Wall of China was made a World Heritage Site. Today, a portion of the Great Wall of China about 50 miles (80 km) from Beijing receives thousands of tourists each day.
Source: http://geography.about.com/od/specificplacesofinterest/a/greatwall.htm 

Location Map - Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. Several walls had already been begun to be built beginning around the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains. Since then, the Great Wall has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, enhanced; the majority of the existing wall was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty.
Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration. Furthermore, the defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means smoke or fire, and the fact that the path of the Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that all the walls measure 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi). This is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km (223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China 

Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza, is ne of the seven wonders of the world, and stands on the northern edge of the Giza Plateau, located about 10 miles west of Cairo. It is composed of over 2 ½ million blocks of limestone, which weigh from 2 to 70 tons each.
It's base covers over 13 acres and its volume is around 90,000,000 cubic feet. You could build 30 Empire State buildings with its masonry. It is 454 feet high which is equivalent to a modern 48-story building. There are currently 203 courses or steps to its summit. Each of the four triangular sides slope upward from the base at an angle of 51 degrees 51 minutes and each side has an area of 5 1/2 acres. The joints between adjacent blocks fit together with optical precision and less than a fiftieth of an inch separates the blocks. The cement that was used is extremely fine and strong and defies chemical analysis. Today, with all our modern science and engineering, we would not be able to build a Great Pyramid of Giza. The Great Pyramid is thought to have been erected around 2600 BC during the reign of Khufu (Cheops). Next to the Great Pyramid stands 2 additional large pyramids. The slightly smaller one is attributed to Cheop's son and successor , Kephren. The other, still smaller, is attributed to Kephren’s successor, the grandson of Cheops, Mykerionos. To the south-east of the Great Pyramid lies the Sphinx. The total number of identified pyramids in Egypt is about 80.
Source: http://www.gizapyramid.com/overview.htm

Khufu's pyramid at Giza showing the plan of passages and burial chamber.  

Some believe that his pyramid at Giza was built by slaves but this is not true. One hundred thousand people worked on it for three months of each year. This was the time of the Nile's annual flood which made it impossible to farm the land and most of the population was unemployed. He provided good food and clothing for his workers and was kindly remembered in folk tales for many centuries. There are three pyramids at Giza, each of which once had an adjoining mortuary temple. Attached to this temple would have been a covered causeway descending down to a valley temple, near the Nile. The 'great' pyramid itself is truly an astonishing work of engineering skill - for over four thousands years, until the modern era, it was the tallest building in the world. Source: http://www.eyelid.co.uk/pyramid3.htm

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is possibly a legendary wonder based in ancient Babylon, which is in present-day Iraq. It was built by King Nebuchadnezzar II who ruled between 605 and 562 BC, for his wife, Amyitis.

There is controversy as to whether the Hanging Gardens is real or just a poetic creation due to the lack of documentation. There is no mention of Nebuchadnezzar’s wife Amyitis although a political marriage to a Median or Persian would not have been unusual. Herodotus, writing about Babylon closest in time to Nebuchadnezzar II, does not mention the Hanging Gardens in his Histories.
As yet, no archaeological evidence has been found at Babylon for the Hanging Gardens. Speculation is that it exists near the Euphrates as the river flowed east of its current position during the time of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Seven Quick Facts

Location: City State of Babylon (Modern Iraq)
Built: Around 600 BC
Function: Royal Gardens
Destroyed: Earthquake, 2nd Century BC
Size: Height probably 80 ft. (24m)
Made of: Mud brick waterproofed with lead.
Other: Only wonder whose archaeological remains cannot be verified. [1]



The Hanging Gardens probably did not really "hang" in the sense of being suspended from cables or ropes. The name comes from an inexact translation of the Greek word kremastos, or the Latin word pensilis, which means not just "hanging", but "overhanging" as in the case of a terrace or balcony.

The Greek geographer Strabo, who described the gardens in first century BC, wrote, "It consists of vaulted terraces raised one above another, and resting upon cube-shaped pillars. These are hollow and filled with earth to allow trees of the largest size to be planted. The pillars, the vaults, and terraces are constructed of baked brick and asphalt. [2]

[1] http://www.unmuseum.org/hangg.htm
[2] http://www.unmuseum.org/hangg.htm

Sydney Opera House - Australia

Jorn Utzon unpacking Sydney Opera House. 

Sydney Opera House located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and was built between 1957 and 1973. It is on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour which is closed to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Is sits at the north eastern of the Sydney central business district (Sydney CBD) and surrounded by three side of the beautiful harbour, Sydney Cove, Farm Cove and Royal Botanic Gardens.

Stage 1 of construction - The Podium - takes place at Bennelong Point. 

Construction progress in 1966.

It is admired as an internationally and treasured by all of the people in Australia. It was designed and created by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. Sydney Opera House earned a lot reputation as a world-class performing arts centre and become a symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. Sydney Opera House was became a UNESCO WORLD HERRITAGE SITE on 28 June 2007. It made Sydney Opera House as one of the 20^th century’s most distinctive building. it has been holding over 1500 arts performances each year and loaded around 1.2 million people.

The Opera House seen from the north.

Sydney Opera House shell rib.

The characteristic roof of Sydney Opera House means as the “shells” set upon a vast terraced platform and surrounded by terrace areas that for pedestrian concourses. The roof shells were designed by Utzon in collaboration with Ove Arup and Partners with the final shape of the shells derived from the surface of a single imagined sphere. Each shell is symbolised as a pre-cast rib segments from a concrete pedestal and rising to a ridge beam. The shells are faced in glazed off-white tiles while the podium is clad in earth-toned. The very special features are the glass walls which built according Peter Hall’s design, Utzon’s successor architect.

Sydney Opera House opens in 1973.

The Concert Hall.

There are two main halls that stand side by side, which are laying from almost north to south. Concert hall is located within the western group of shells while Opera Theatre lay within the eastern group. The auditoria face south, away from the harbour with the stages located between the audiences and the city. The Forecourt is a massive open space venue from which people ascend the stairs to the podium. The Monumental Steps lead people from the Forecourt to two main venues which are nearly 100 meters wide.

 

Interior of the Concert Hall.

The Opera House from the eastern Botanic Garden view. 

Roman Colosseum - Italy

Original façade of the Colosseum.

Colosseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheater is built in the middle of Rome, Italy and become the largest building of Roman Empire.

The building was totally huge as 188 metre by 156 metre and 48metre height. It could load almost 55,000 spectators with more than 80 entrances. There are 240 masts which are attached to the stone on the 4^th level. The cages for wild animals allocated underground and can enable the animals to the middle of the arena. There is Arch of Constantine which just outside the Colosseum with 25 metre high.

Arch of Constantine.

A panorama of the interior of the Colosseum in 2011.

Emperors used Colosseum for entertaining and providing free games to the people. Those free games were a symbol of prestige and power and help the emperor to become more popular. The games normally took whole day or several days in a week. Colosseum was used for comical acts and exotic animals, executions, dramas until fights between those animals with gladiators or between gladiators. Those fighters normally were slaves, prisoners or criminals. The gladiators mostly are men rather than women, but there are a few women gladiators which are strong enough. These combats were attended by poor, rich and emperor himself. As the fights should made the ground become too soaked with blood, it was covered with a layer of sand which can deliver a fantastic performance on it. In a later era, the Colosseum was also used for housing, workshop and any religious order.

An earthquake in 1349 made the Colosseum fell apart on the southern side. The partially ruined of Colosseum also cause by stone-robbery from the people nearby. Today, Colosseum become one of the most popular tourist place in Rome. Nevertheless, there are number of concerts which been held outside the Colosseum as a natural background of the events.

The Colosseum in Imperial Rome.

Interior of the Colosseum, Rome.

Colosseum after earthquake.

Taj Mahal - India

Taj Mahal is inspired from the romance of endless love built by Shah Jahan, a Muslim army commander (Mogul Emperor) and Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife. The Taj Mahal is known as “the jewel of Muslim Art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. Taj Mahal is the best Mughal Architecture which having combination elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian styles.

The story started in 1607 when Shah Jahan was engaged to Arjumand Banu Begum who was just 14 years old. They have to wait five years before they decided to married on the selected date as it was believed as the best day to get a happy marriage. After their wedding celebrations, Shah Jahan felt that she was very different among all the women therefore he gave her title  Mumtaz Mahal, which means Crown of the Palace.

India 1631, when Mumtaz Mahal was pregnant and gave birth to their fourteenth child, a very beautiful and healthy daughter, she passed away and made Shah Jahan lost in his deeply sadness. His wife wished he would prove their love by building a beautiful mausoleum. He changed his appearance into a simple looks and mourned for two years.

Shah Jahan then fulfilled his promise by building Taj Mahal in Agra (Northerrn India) by the river of Yamuna. It is built with height of 240 feet and held 12000 tons white marbels  surrounded by a beautiful garden designed into a classical Mughal ‘char bagh’ style and raised pathways that divided into four squares. A marble water tank at the center of the garden, which halfway between the tomb and gateway with a Reflecting Pool on a north to south and can reflects the image of the mausoleum itself. The style and outlooks of Taj Mahal was a mixture of Hindu and Muslim structure. It involved almost 20000 men and took 22 years to complete.

Interior of Taj Mahal Mosque.

Taj Mahal viewed from banks of river Yamuna.

                                

Tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain standing at 12, 389 feet it is also an active volcano though it has not erupted yet since 1707. It lies 100 kilometers from Tokyo and can be seen during the day as well as it is big, it is a snow capped mountain meaning that it is seen with snow several months a year and it is the symbol of Japan and a world famous tourist destination with many hotels situated around it so that tourists can not only go and see the mountain but they can also stay for the night and see it again in the morning when it is at it’s most beautiful. It is called one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” alongside Mount Tate and Mount Haku and is often depicted in arts and drawings; many people attempt to climb to the top of the mountain and although driving to the top is allowed it is rarely available especially during the winter seasons due to heavy storms and the chance that accidents might happen.

Mount Fuji is considered a wonder because of it’s beauty and how much people in Japan revere and love it, it is a wonderful place to go to and many people say that if you don’t visit Mount Fuji while you are visiting Japan then it is a wasted trip and therefore there are many people that go to Mount Fuji at least once before they leave Japan. It’s beauty is also emphasised when the Sakura flowers are in full bloom and there is also a cold chill that comes through the area during the winter season making it very suitable for skiing conditions and many tourists love to ski so there are ski resorts all over the place during winter making it hard for the true beauty of this wonder to be appreciated.

To the people of Japan it is a holy place, there are many shrines here and the shrines are popular tourist destinations. However clouds and poor visibility blocks the mountain during the summer season therefore it is best if you come during the winter season because that will be when the mountain will be at its most clearest.

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