11 World Heritage Sites That Are Surprisingly Underwhelming
We place significance on world heritage sites because of the deep cultural or historical significance. High on travelers’ bucket lists, these spots promise to show extraordinary landmarks that shaped humanity. However, not all World Heritage Sites live up to the hype and some visitors come away a little disappointed.
The reality of visiting can sometimes be different than what we see online or what we read in a travel guide. Some of these spots, for varying reasons, aren’t exactly the magical or awe-inspiring places you might be hoping for.
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Undeniably incredible feats of engineering, and full of ancient history, the Pyramids of Giza don’t need much of an introduction. Many visitors are surprised, though, to realize that they are standing next to vendors selling souvenirs and camel rides, not the mystical desert landscape it would seem. Also detracting from the experience is the noise of traffic from nearby Cairo, which lends the area a commercial feel instead of that of ancient wonder most people hope for.
Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is a marvel on paper: mysterious formation of ancient stones. However, visitors often find it is smaller than they thought and placed right next to a busy road. Because you can only see the stones from a predetermined path, the faraway view is more like a rock show than the mystical marvel some envision.
Hollywood Walk of Fame, USA
Every film lover looks forward to a stroll on Hollywood Boulevard and seeing its Walk of Fame. Unfortunately, this area is very crowded with street performers, vendors and sometimes littered streets, so it doesn’t feel as glamorous as you might expect. It is also laid out over an area bordered by souvenir shops and tacky tourist traps which have sapped some of the Hollywood magic.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is usually described as a remote, utopian mountaintop. The reality is that there are a lot of tourists trying to get that perfect shot, and strict rules about where you can and can’t go. The views are still incredible, for sure, but the crowded paths and fast moving tours feel more rushed and regimented than awe-inspiring.
Denmark’s Little Mermaid Statue
Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid Statue is one of the most iconic landmarks, but often fails to impress because of its size. Right on the harbor, this small statue based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale is modest scale and in a crowded location, which surprises many travelers.
The Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal has amazing architecture, but it is not easy to visit. While trinkets, food, and fraternizing are on the table, the adventure can feel hectic with large crowds, strict regulations, and lots of vendors. Pollution also obscures the view and some visitors long for the serene view they see in photos.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a visually striking place, but it’s usually crowded, and a bit cheesy, with tourists holding the tower for photos. It has a banner park feel with lots of vendors and restaurants surrounding the area. The short visit doesn’t quite seem worth the trek for many.
Bran Castle, Romania
Commonly called Bran Castle, the home of the infamous Vlad the Impaler. Visitors often complain that it doesn’t have a spooky enough atmosphere, or any real connection with Dracula. Rather, it feels like a well kept museum, a little too full of souvenir stalls, and not enough of the eerie allure one might hope for.
The Louvre, France
The Mona Lisa is at the Louvre, but seeing the painting is usually underwhelming because of the crowd. The painting is behind protective glass and is so small, that it’s hard to see it up close, and it can be a bit of a letdown. But for many, the quick glimpse isn’t the ‘wow’ moment they hoped for.
Old Town of Lijiang, China
Lijiang, China is famous for its well preserved ancient architecture in the Old Town. It’s been so commercialized; the area is full of souvenir shops and modern cafés. Many visitors get only the sense of a busy modern street made to look quaint when the historic streets have been filled to bursting with shops and modern amenities.
Badaling Section, Great Wall of China
The Badaling section is magnificent, but with its tourists, souvenir stalls and even fast food restaurants, it attracts too many people. Instead of the Zen, and wonderful experience of the wall, you get crowds of visitors shoving their way up and you’re left wishing you had sought out some less visited part of the wall.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
