The seven wonders of the ancient world still enthral thousands of visitors every year as people flock to gaze in amazement at the architecture on show.

From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Colossus of Rhodes, these monuments to a bygone era were certainly a sight to behold.

While the Pyramids are now the last remaining wonder in existence, many new lists of wonders have emerged to fill the void.

Here, we pick out 11 alternatives that are wonders in their own right.

1. Christ the Redeemer

Towering over the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, the 30m tall Christ the Redeemer statue stands atop Corcovado Mountain as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity.

The masterpiece took nine years to construct from 1922 and is a popular destination with both locals and tourists.

2. Machu Picchu

The 15th century Inca site at Machu Picchu in the Cusco region of Peru was abandoned following the Spanish Conquest.

However the Incas left behind a symbol of their power and it is now the most popular tourist destination in South America.

3. The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made from a vast array of materials that measure in excess of 13,000 miles in length.

The majority of construction took place in the Ming period although some construction can be dated back to as early as the 8th century BC.

4. The Taj Mahal

A symbol of India’s rich history, the Taj Mahal on the banks of the Yamuna River took 20,000 craftsmen 22 years to build from 1632.

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the building to house the remains of his third wife and it is widely regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated structures.

5. Petra

Petra is famed for its historical rock-cut architecture and ancient water management systems; making it Jordan’s most visited tourist attraction.

Dating back as early as the 3rd century BC, the site requires careful management against the weather, natural events and excessive tourism.

6. The Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest coral reef system with more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands covers an area of around 133,000 square miles.

Located off the coat of Queensland, Australia, the reef is popular with divers wanting to see a wide range of fish and other species.

7. The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle in Iceland includes the national park Þingvellir, the Gullfoss waterfall – translated as golden falls – and the geysers at Geysir and Strokkur.

The latter is active every five to ten minutes while the attractions provide an opportunity to see the natural world in all its glory.

8. The Grand Canyon

Carved by the Colorado River around 17 million years ago, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, is a mile deep in places and up to 18 miles wide.

At 277 miles long it presents plenty of sightseeing opportunities and is based in a National Park, full of wildlife including this cheeky squirrel.

9. The Colosseum

A symbol of the power of ancient Rome, the Colosseum stands as a reminder of what was once the centre piece of the Roman Empire.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest pieces of Roman architecture, it played host to vast gladiatorial battles, re-enactments, mock sea battles and plays.

10. Chichen Itza

Built by the Maya in what is now Mexico around 1,300 years ago, the city of Chichen Itza features architectural styles from many different periods.

The North Platform of the city is dominated by El Castillo, a step period some 30 metres tall.

11. The Great Migration

The Serengeti, located in Tanzania and Kenya, spans approximately 12,000 square miles and is home to thousands of wildlife species.

The region is famed for what is known as ‘The Great Migration’ when around 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,000 zebra and 470,000 gazelles, as well as thousands of other plains game, relocate to fresh grazing grounds between January and March.