I am an 11-year-old student in Osaka, Japan. I love to read about places far away. Tourist attractions are special places people visit. They are old buildings, big mountains, or beautiful cities. Some are famous because of history, and some are famous for beauty. I dream of seeing them one day. Where are these places? Why do people go there? What makes them special? I write this to learn about the world’s tourist attractions and share what I find. Traveling is exciting, and these places make the world amazing.
Tourist attractions are everywhere. In Europe, there are old castles and museums. In Asia, there are temples and markets. In Africa, there are animals and deserts. In America, there are big cities and parks. In Australia, there are beaches and reefs. People visit these places to learn, have fun, or take photos. I have a book with pictures of famous places. Each one tells a story. I want to start with some of the most famous attractions in the world.
The Great Wall of China is in China. It is very long, over 21,000 kilometers. It was built 2,000 years ago to protect the country. The wall goes over mountains and valleys. It is made of stone and bricks. People walk on it and see old towers. Visitors love it because it is big and old. I saw pictures of the wall with snow. It looks like a dragon. About 10 million people visit every year. The Great Wall is special because it shows China’s history and strength.
The Eiffel Tower is in Paris, France. It is a tall metal tower, 324 meters high. It was built in 1889 for a big fair. People can go up by stairs or elevator. From the top, you see all of Paris. At night, the tower has lights and looks beautiful. Visitors take photos and eat at restaurants nearby. I want to see the lights one day. The Eiffel Tower is famous because it is a symbol of Paris and love. About 7 million people visit every year.
The Pyramids of Giza are in Egypt. They are old tombs for kings, built 4,500 years ago. The biggest pyramid is for King Khufu. It is 147 meters tall and made of big stones. Nearby is the Sphinx, a statue with a lion’s body and a human head. Visitors walk around and learn about ancient Egypt. The desert sun makes it hot, but people love it. I think the pyramids are a mystery. They are famous because they are very old and show Egypt’s power. About 14 million people visit every year.
Machu Picchu is in Peru, South America. It is an old city in the mountains, 2,430 meters high. It was built 500 years ago by the Inca people. The city has stone houses and temples. Visitors hike or take a train to see it. Clouds and green hills make it beautiful. I saw a photo of Machu Picchu with fog. It looks like a dream. People visit to learn about the Inca and see nature. Machu Picchu is special because it is hidden and old. About 1.5 million people visit every year.
The Colosseum is in Rome, Italy. It is a big round building, 2,000 years old. Romans used it for fights and shows. It held 50,000 people. Today, parts are broken, but it is still big. Visitors walk inside and see where gladiators fought. I want to touch the old stones. The Colosseum is near other old places, like the Roman Forum. It is famous because it shows Rome’s history and power. About 7 million people visit every year.
The Taj Mahal is in Agra, India. It is a white marble building, built 400 years ago. A king made it for his wife who died. It has a big dome and four tall towers. The walls have flowers and words carved in stone. Visitors see it at sunrise when it looks pink. I think it is like a love story. People walk in gardens and take photos. The Taj Mahal is special because it is beautiful and shows love. About 8 million people visit every year.
The Grand Canyon is in Arizona, United States. It is a big valley, 446 kilometers long and 1.6 kilometers deep. A river made it over millions of years. Visitors hike, camp, or fly over it in helicopters. The rocks are red, orange, and brown. I saw a picture at sunset, and it looks like fire. People love it for its size and beauty. The Grand Canyon is famous because it shows nature’s power. About 6 million people visit every year.
The Great Barrier Reef is in Australia. It is the biggest coral reef, 2,300 kilometers long. It has colorful fish, corals, and turtles. Visitors swim, dive, or take boats to see it. The water is clear and blue. I want to see the fish one day. The reef is in danger because of warm water, so people work to save it. The Great Barrier Reef is special because it is alive and colorful. About 2 million people visit every year.
Mount Fuji is in Japan, my country. It is a tall mountain, 3,776 meters high. It is a volcano, but it is quiet now. People climb it in summer. The top has snow, and the view is beautiful. I climbed it with my family last year. Visitors take photos and pray at shrines nearby. Mount Fuji is famous because it is a symbol of Japan and peace. About 300,000 people climb it every year.
The Statue of Liberty is in New York, United States. It is a big statue, 93 meters tall. France gave it to America in 1886 as a gift. It shows a woman with a torch and a book. Visitors take boats to see it and climb to the crown. It stands in a harbor and welcomes ships. I saw it in a movie. The statue is famous because it means freedom. About 4 million people visit every year.
Petra is in Jordan. It is an old city, 2,000 years old, built in rocks. People carved houses and temples in red stone. The most famous part is the Treasury, a big building with columns. Visitors walk through a narrow path to see it. I saw a picture, and it looks like a secret. People visit to learn about ancient people. Petra is special because it is hidden and old. About 1 million people visit every year.
The Amazon Rainforest is in South America, mostly Brazil. It is a big forest with trees, rivers, and animals, like monkeys and jaguars. Visitors take boats or walk to see it. The air is wet, and birds sing. I want to hear the sounds. The forest gives oxygen to the world. People work to save it from cutting. The Amazon is famous because it is big and important for nature. About 500,000 people visit every year.
The Sydney Opera House is in Sydney, Australia. It is a white building with a roof like sails. It was built in 1973 for music and shows. Visitors watch concerts or walk around. It is by the sea, near a big bridge. I think it looks like a ship. The Opera House is famous because it is unique and beautiful. About 10 million people visit every year.
Angkor Wat is in Cambodia. It is a big temple, 900 years old. It was built for a king and a god. It has tall towers and stone pictures. Visitors walk through and see old art. The jungle is around it, with trees on walls. I saw a photo at sunrise, and it looks magic. Angkor Wat is special because it is old and holy. About 2.5 million people visit every year.
The Northern Lights are in places like Norway, Canada, and Iceland. They are colorful lights in the sky, green, purple, or blue. They happen when sun energy hits the air. Visitors go in winter to see them. The sky dances with colors. I want to see it one night. The Northern Lights are famous because they are rare and beautiful. Millions of people visit to see them.
Tourist attractions are important. They teach history, like the Pyramids or Petra. They show nature, like the Grand Canyon or Amazon. They bring people together, like the Eiffel Tower or Sydney Opera House. Visitors learn about other countries and cultures. They take photos and share stories. Some places are in danger, like reefs or forests. People must protect them. I read about new rules to save places, like fewer visitors at Machu Picchu.
I dream of visiting these places. I want to climb Mount Fuji again, see the Taj Mahal’s white stone, and swim at the Great Barrier Reef. Each place is different, but they all make the world beautiful. I have a map in my room with pins for places I want to go. When I look at it, I feel happy. As I write this, I think about the world. Tourist attractions are like treasures, and I want to find them all one day.