There are some cityscapes that i find really amazing. Sydney, San Francisco, Hong Kong and New York come to mind, each for slightly different reasons.
I think bridges are amazing, especially the ones that still serve huge cities today despite being built many decades ago. Again, for me Sydney, SF, and NY are the most obvious. I especially admire the Brooklyn Bridge. I mean, this thing is over a century old now and it still looks like an integral part of a 21st century city. Walking across it and looking back at the Manhattan skyline is quite an experience, although i haven’t done this since the WTC came down; no doubt the view is somewhat less impressive nowdays.
Another place that i really like is a Roman fort by the name of Mediobogdum, in the English Lake District. The fort was built in the second century C.E., and stands on a promontory overlooking a long green valley. It was one of the most farflung forts in the whole Roman Empire, and on a wet, cold English day it’s easy to imagine how depressing and lonely a posting it would have been for a Roman centurion used to a Mediterranean climate.
Added to the beautiful location is the fact the getting to the fort requires driving over about the steepest and most winding pass in all of Britain - Hardknott Pass. When the road is at all damp, it can be hard to climb the hill, and i’ve seen cases where the rear passengers in front-wheel drive cars had to get out so that the driving wheels could get a better grip on the road.
I am also really impressed by Stonehenge.
I’m sure that places like Angkor Wat and Macchu Pichu would be on my list, but wanted to restrict myself to places that i have actually visited.
The Taj Mahal - it’s like a fractal - the closer you get to this thing, the more intricate and perfect it becomes. Simply jaw-dropping, staggering beauty.
The Hong Kong skyline, seen from Kowloon.
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur.
The Chrysler building, New York.
The Gaudi cathedral, Barcelona.
This is a controversial one: I was pretty blown away by London’s Millennium Dome. It was way bigger and more elegant than I expected.
Finally, Burj Al Arab in Dubai. A 1000-foot skyscraper in the shape of the sail of a dhow. And it’s a 7-star hotel. Wow.
It blows me away on a daily basis that I’m 25 miles from the city of Chicago, but I can see the Sears Tower out the window at my office. Everytime, it just makes me think of how huge and tall that thing is. Amazing.
I’ve got 3 things I’ve seen and 3 more I’ve not:
Have seen:
Reno- not on the same scale as Vegas (which I’ve never been to) and probably wouldn’t be as impressive if it weren’t for the “enterance” it made. A buddy of mine in the Navy was in Northern California for cold weather training and then had a few days leave in Reno. He calls me up, says “come to Reno” so another friend and I do. Drive through the Sieras at midnight in February (incredibly beautiful, I must say), there’s a slight rise in the road, as we crest it, there lies the city, lit up at 1:00 AM on Monday…impressive.
Sears tower- the sheer size of it is incredible. “Everytime, it just makes me think of how huge and tall that thing is. Amazing.” to quote interface2x
Ferrari 360 Modena- not quite the same scale as everything else, but, wow.
Haven’t seen:
Taj Mahal
Pyramids
Twin Towers- I’ve always been impressed by them. Two symmetrical, featureless buildings rising above everything else. Wish I still had the option to see them.
