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For nearly 500 years, the emperors of Beijing's sumptuous Forbidden City determined who may enter and depart. The gates have opened, and tourists are flooding in to witness for themselves. Attendance has risen by 2.5 million since 2010. Some Americans fantasize of seeing the Forbidden City, but the majority have never considered Everland or Lotte World as vacation destinations. Nonetheless, these South Korean theme parks are among the world's 50 most popular tourist attractions, surpassing the Eiffel Tower (nearly 7 million), the Great Pyramids (4 million), and Stonehenge (1 million). There are more surprises.
The Methodology:
To determine the world's most popular attractions, we gathered the most recent data provided by the attractions themselves or by government agencies, industry publications, and respected media sites. In most situations, the data was from 2013. Attractions that don't sell tickets provided us their best estimates. We defined "tourist attractions" as cultural and historical places, natural features, and formally designated areas. So, Boston's shop-filled Faneuil Hall Marketplace (est. 1742) was removed, but not Minnesota's Mall of America, which, with 40 million yearly visits, would have tied for fourth place. Short pathways and plazas also meet our criteria of tourist attractions, which disqualifies the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also excluded beaches, bridges, and sites that are primarily visited by religious pilgrims.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul:
Hand-painted ceramics, lanterns, beautifully patterned rugs, copperware, gold Byzantine-style jewellery, and other eye-catching items compete for your attention in this 15th-century bazaar's domed corridors. It has since grown and become more touristy, although locals are also among the millions of deal seekers. To haggle like a pro, lower your initial offer and don't be scared to walk away. If everything becomes too much, take a break and enjoy a luscious doner kebab or a powerful cup of Turkish coffee.
The Zócalo, Mexico City:
The vast Zócalo, also known as the Plaza de la Constitution, is alive with bustle. It holds military parades, cultural and political events, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, and public art installations. This historic public area is flanked by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, with an imposing Mexican flag that is raised and lowered on a daily basis.
Times Square, New York City:
Tourists rush to New York's neon centre for the flashing lights, Broadway performances, megastores, and sheer spectacle—along with dressed people willing to pose for photos. Pedestrian-only spaces with café tables were added a few years ago, making it easier and more appealing to hang out here. Times Square may even serve as a convenient, albeit hectic, base, with hotels at every price point and easy access to public transportation, including subways, railroads, buses, and an endless supply of yellow cabs.
Central Park, New York City
New York has larger green spaces, but none are as well-known as Central Park, which covers approximately 850 acres of prime Manhattan real estate and serves as a refuge for both tourists and locals. You can ride in a horse-drawn carriage, see the small zoo, climb to the pinnacle of 19th-century Belvedere Castle, or stretch out on the Great Lawn and look up at the skyscrapers.
Union Station, Washington, D.C:
This bustling station, which opened in 1907, transports around 12,500 people per day into and out of Washington, D.C. However, it also serves millions of tourists who come to see the immaculately combined architectural styles found throughout the massive structure, which range from Classical to Beaux-Arts to Baroque. Union Station is a shopping centre with over 70 retail stores, as well as a departure point for numerous D.C. excursions.
Las Vegas Strip:
In 2013, 77 percent of Vegas tourists—30.5 million—chose to stay at hotels right on the four-mile-long Strip. So why not? Roll out of bed and into the Strip to see the Bellagio fountains in action, shop, gamble, and, of course, people-watch (which is especially enjoyable later at night). For a unique new perspective, ride the High Roller, a 550-foot-tall Ferris wheel that premiered in March 2014. It's part of the Linq, Caesars' dazzling 300,000-square-foot shopping and entertainment complex.
Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo:
Built over a century ago to venerate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken's heavenly souls, this Shinto shrine in frenetic Tokyo is a tranquil retreat encircled by a holy forest of over 100,000 trees. Seasonal gardens include spring azaleas, summer irises, spectacular fall leaves on Japanese maples and ginkgos, and snow-covered black pines.
Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL:
The Most Magical Place on Earth is a must-see for almost every family and remains the world's most popular theme park. Fantasyland has been expanded to include the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train family-style roller coaster as well as a chance to meet Anna and Elsa from the smash hit Frozen in the Princess Fairytale Hall near Cinderella Castle. The Jungle Cruise and Space Mountain are classic attractions, as is the daily Disney character parade down Main Street, USA, and fireworks display that illuminates the sky on many nights.