Expressing Equivalent Qualities: Exploring Historical Sites around the World (Review)

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When you are planning a trip, don't miss the chance to visit the world's historical sites. There are so many [vocab word=mesmerizing]mesmerizing[/vocab] places around the world. Each site has a unique story that is as fascinating as a [vocab word=fairy tale]fairy tale[/vocab], and can inspire you in [vocab word=countless]countless[/vocab] ways.

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Take the Great Wall of China, for example. This site [vocab word=wind]winds[/vocab] up and down across [vocab word=desert]deserts[/vocab], [vocab word=grassland]grasslands[/vocab], mountains, and [vocab word=plateau]plateaus[/vocab], stretching approximately 21,196 kilometers from east to west of China. Built more than 2,000 years ago, it is as old as the Roman Empire. A visit to this [vocab word=magnificent]magnificent[/vocab] site will surely be an [vocab word=invigorating]invigorating[/vocab] experience for you.

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Fewer travelers know about Petra, another historical site, in Jordan. It is an [vocab word=ancient]ancient[/vocab] city cut into rock, and it is as beautiful as a piece of art. Each [vocab word=pillar]pillar[/vocab] in Petra is meticulously [vocab word=carve]carved[/vocab] and carefully [vocab word=preserve]preserved[/vocab]. Despite being less [vocab word=crowded]crowded[/vocab] than the Great Wall of China, you can expect the same kind of breath-taking views and historical charm.

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On the other side of the world, you can find Machu Picchu in Peru. [vocab word=unlike]Unlike[/vocab] Petra, which was built in a desert, Machu Picchu is set on a high plateau in the Andes Mountains. The city is often called the "City in the Clouds" and it has the same kind of [vocab word=mystical]mystical[/vocab] [vocab word=appeal]appeal[/vocab] as places like the great pyramids of Egypt or the Great Wall of China. Despite being built by the Inca [vocab word=civilization]civilization[/vocab] in the 15th century, the city was not discovered by the outside world until 1911. Its exact purpose is still not totally clear, but it is believed to have been a [vocab word=royal]royal[/vocab] [vocab word=estate]estate[/vocab] for Inca leaders. Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist attraction in Peru, with thousands of people climbing up the mountain.

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In India, you will find the Taj Mahal. Its beautiful structure is often used in [vocab word=postcard]postcards[/vocab] and calendars. The architecture of the Taj Mahal is the same as other Mughal buildings such as the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb. However, Taj Mahal is considered more [vocab word=sophisticated]sophisticated[/vocab] and [vocab word=aesthetically]aesthetically[/vocab] appealing due to its white [vocab word=marble]marble[/vocab] [vocab word=exterior]exterior[/vocab], perfect [vocab word=symmetry]symmetry[/vocab], and [vocab word=intricate]intricate[/vocab] designs. A trip to the Taj Mahal can be less costly than visiting Petra, the Great Wall of China, or Machu Picchu, so it is a great destination for people with a limited budget.

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France also offers a historical site, the Palace of Versailles. Once the home of the French royal family, it is now a museum and is as [vocab word=grand]grand[/vocab] as you can imagine. At 2 billion dollars in today's value, the cost of its construction was [vocab word=equivalent]equivalent[/vocab] to a quarter of France's GDP at the time. The palace contains 1,200 rooms, 700 of which are bedrooms, all filled with [vocab word=luxurious]luxurious[/vocab] paintings and other [vocab word=extravagant]extravagant[/vocab] decorations.

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All these historical sites have their unique histories and beauty. The enjoyment of one site is not necessarily greater or less than that of another. They all help you understand the past. These historical places show how creative and determined people can be. So, which one will be your next destination?