The golden Buddha statue at the Wat Muang Monastery is the tallest in Thailand, and the ninth-tallest in the world.

A tall karst islet popularized by 007.

This trio of Australian rock spires may have inspired aboriginal legend or just modern tourism.

Nine limestone rock stacks on Australia's "Shipwreck Coast."

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

This Roman arch marks the location of an ancient gate at one of the Seven Hills of Rome.

One of several skulls claiming to belong to the beheaded St. John the Baptist is on display at this Roman church.

Stalactites and stalagmites in a beautifully lit cave.

This statue was given to France by the United States to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution.

This charming cobbled backstreet is the most Instagramable street in Paris, much to the residents' annoyance.

Gaudí's famously flamboyant architectural style is on full display in this sprawling park and garden.

This semi-secret storybook hedge maze is also the oldest garden in the city.

One of Antoni Gaudí's most classic buildings is well-known for its "dragon-back" design.

Construction of Barcelona's iconic (but controversial) church is expected to be completed in 2026—a century after the death of its architect.

Thousands of tourists and residents in Cologne affix "love padlocks" on the Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge to symbolize their affections.

Thousands of flowers create enchanting pink tunnels over the city streets.

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

A sacred mountaintop temple offers a fine cup of tea to visitors who can survive the journey.

270 million year-old forest of stone.

Intensely colorful calcite pools in Southern China.

A fifth-century temple improbably built into the side of a cliff.