Top 10 architectural wonders of the world

Man-Made Wonders

 We know what the natural wonders of the world are (the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, etc.), but what about the absolute must-see buildings? The ones that will make your jaw drop and will have you asking, "how did they do that!?"

1. Empire State Building, New York City, NY

This art deco skyscraper stood as the world's tallest building for more than forty years (it's now 12th) and offers incredible views of The Big Apple. The initial schematics for the building were drawn up in two weeks by Gregory Johnson and took just over a year to build (astonishing given the tower is 102 storeys and was built in the 30s).

2. Kogod Courtyard, Washington D.C.

Designed by Norman Foster, this elegant glass canopy was built as an addition to the museum and houses part of the Smithsonian's art gallery. It won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1999. It's over 28,000 square feet of glass and gives the impression of a floating ceiling.

3. Panama Canal, Panama

This man-made canal was, and remains, one of the most difficult (and impressive) engineering feats of our time. Linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, it was built as a travel port and has had an enormous impact on shipping between the east and west. Each year over 14,000 vessels pass through its concrete tunneled walls.

4. Red Ribbon, Qinhuangdao, China

Winner of the American Society of Landscape Architects award, this knee-high red steel bench runs half a kilometer around Qinhuangdao City and acts as a viewing place for the area's lush vegetation and diverse species.

5. Hoover Dam, Border of Arizona and Nevada

As one of the world's largest hydro-electric generating stations, Hoover Dam is one of the most jaw-dropping sites in the US. What's so fascinating about this reservoir (linked to Lake Mead) is it was completed ahead of schedule. Construction began in 1931 and finished in 1936.

6. The Channel Tunnel (aka: The Chunnel), Europe

This incredible underwater feat of engineering brought England and France together and took several tries to make. Now, high-speed trains are used to transport over 16 million people between the two countries every year.

7. CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The tallest free-standing structure in the Americas, this tower attracts more than two million visitors every year and is a major communications hub for the city of Toronto. It's also considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

8. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Arching over the Pacific ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge links San Francisco to Marin County (an area just south of Napa Valley). Pedestrians can walk the bridge to get sprawling views of San Francisco's harbor. Historically, it's also one of the most photographed bridges in the world.

9. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

Frank Gehry has designed his fair share of buildings, but this Spanish Guggenheim is something special. The circular body is signature to the architect and was built to showcase the museum's pieces in a unique way. It stands alongside Spain's magnificent Nervion River.

10. BurJ Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This structure will be the world's tallest building once it's completed. Although the height has been a well-kept secret, experts predict it will be over 2200 feet and tower plans suggest an outdoor swimming pool will be located on the 78th floor and the 124th floor will be an observation deck. It will also, reportedly, contain the world's fastest elevator.