Exploring the 7 New Urban Wonders - Mytour

The azure sky, clear sea, and golden sunshine have turned this port city into a lively and warm haven. Beyond the modern skyscrapers, Beirut captivates visitors with its cobblestone streets and Parisian-style cafes. The city also boasts vibrant art performances, theaters, and lively poetry nights.

When it comes to fashion, no Middle Eastern city resembles France more than Beirut. It is the homeland of renowned fashion designers.

Beirut is also famous for its cuisine and resilient spirit, bouncing back strongly after each devastation. The city has witnessed many ups and downs, numerous triumphs, and several instances of destruction.

Once a territory of the Roman Empire, Beirut had a famous law school and grand structures. However, most of these buildings were destroyed by earthquakes, tsunamis, and fires in 551 AD. In 2020, a horrifying explosion at the Beirut port once again extended the city's history of pain, claiming at least 100 lives and injuring over 4000 people.

2. Doha (Qatar)

Ranked second in the list of 7 new urban wonders of the world, Doha is one of the wealthiest cities globally, thanks to its vast reserves of oil and gas. Situated along the Persian Gulf in eastern Qatar, Doha serves as the economic and commercial hub, as well as the largest city in the country.

After gaining independence in 1970, Qatar underwent a city transformation, completely demolishing the old remnants. The Doha government invited renowned architects of that time to participate in the planning and architectural design process for the city.

Built on the foundation of the '4 no's': No mountains, no forests, no river systems, no greenery, and biodiversity. Doha did everything to turn 'no' into 'yes.' In just about 30 years, Doha evolved into a global metropolis with numerous grand structures.

Most notable is the symmetrical Pearl Islands in contrast to the Palm Islands of the United Arab Emirates.

3. Durban (South Africa)

Ranked 3rd among the 7 new urban wonders of the world is Durban, South Africa. This bustling port city, the third most populous, boasts a high quality of life in the country.

Due to a history marked by upheavals, including British colonization, the city exhibits cultural and ethnic diversity with royal British architecture in some neighborhoods. Vibrant Indian neighborhoods coexist with White South Africans of Dutch origin and native Zulu people, creating a harmonious blend.

Thanks to its mild tropical climate and long beaches, Durban attracts many international tourists. Don't miss the famous 6km-long Golden Mile beach here, an ideal spot for beach activities like sunbathing, surfing, kayaking... with beautiful weather almost year-round.

4. Havana (Cuba)

The thousand-year-old nostalgic city ranks 4th among the 7 new urban wonders of the world. Havana was once recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. In the Western eyes, Havana is seen as a nostalgic place or a Caribbean resort. But for Vietnam, it holds memories of the wartime era.

Everything in Havana is simple and humble; most necessities are still managed and distributed by the state to the citizens every month. Today, the capital is famous for its Spanish-style streets and vintage cars.

5. Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

This is one of the two Southeast Asian cities on the list. Starting as a small oil town, Kuala Lumpur has now flourished, becoming rich with the famous Petronas Twin Towers, a towering landmark both literally and figuratively in the world.

Kuala Lumpur embraces a palette of diverse ethnicities, including Malay, Chinese, Indian... The mystical Batu Caves, a Hindu temple, is among the renowned religious destinations.

6. La Paz (Bolivia)

Situated at an altitude exceeding 3,600m above sea level, this is also the world's highest city perched on the Andes mountain range. However, most residents inhabit an even higher place, a satellite city of La Paz, elevated at 4150m on the mountain edge.

The altitude affects every aspect of daily life. Luxury apartments are often built at lower levels, with more adobe houses for the poor as you go higher. To facilitate transportation, planners constructed a cable car from the satellite city to the center of La Paz, with a 700m elevation difference.

La Paz's development faced challenges at every step due to its extreme altitude. Water boils at only 86 degrees Celsius here, and many types of food don't cook normally but instead get tough when prepared in La Paz.

7. Vigan (Philippines)

Vigan City is situated on the beautiful Luzon Island and was once a Spanish colonial territory. However, beyond Western influence, the city also encompasses Chinese, Central American, Caribbean, and North African cultures.

Visitors here cannot miss the experience of riding the distinctive horse-drawn carriages reminiscent of Spain. Additionally, tourists should visit the Green Paoay Church, named after the general who established the city's first settlement.

Here is the list of the 7 new urban wonders of the world, as voted by New Seven Wonders. Stay tuned to Mytour for updates on the most captivating new articles!

By Mytour

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour