UK has 'world's most eye-catching UNESCO site' that's holiday hotspot with Brits (original) (raw)
UK has 'world's most eye-catching UNESCO site' but you may not have heard of it
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal in the United Kingdom, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Park and the Carioca landscapes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are the most eye catching landmarks in the world
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The world's most eye-catching UNESCO site has been revealed to be a UK landmark - but it's one you've probably never heard of.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal is one of the UK's UNESCO sites, described by UNESCO as 'a masterpiece of creative genius' which sits on 11 miles of canal. The longest aqueduct in the UK (and the highest in the world), it's regularly hailed as one of the UK's best aqueducts reaching heights of 38m, and with a narrow footpath so visitors can wander alongside the water. It's also a popular hotspot for Brits on canal holidays, as you can rent canals and sail along the incredible route.
The historic canal claimed the top spot in a study which tracked the eye movements of people confronted with some of the world's UNESCO wonders. Two centuries after the aqueduct was opened following ten years of construction, its integral role in bringing industrial prosperity to the north east of Wales is long forgotten. However, it continues to provide drinking water to the area, a place for leisure boaters to wile away sunny afternoons and even for otters to thrive.
Leisure boaters still use the canal to this day (
Image:
Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The significance and beauty of Pontcysyllte was underlined in a study conducted by Explore, in which 52 UNESCO sites were shortlisted and images of them shown to participants. Using eye-tracking technology, the average gaze duration inspired by each landmark was measured to get some kind of insight into which draws attention the quickest and longest.
Second on the list is the Canadian Rocky Mountain Park, which is blessed with great stretches of rugged mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, canyons, limestone caves and fossils. The Canadian Rockies comprise a group of four national parks - Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho - and offer numerous activities from hiking and wildlife viewing, to winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Closely following in the rankings is the vibrant cityscape of Rio de Janeiro, in particular the Carioca landscapes between the mountain and the sea. It is a spectacular blend of natural and urban environments, with the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer overseeing the city. Tropical forests, granite peaks and the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema come together to make a truly stunning vista in the area.
Tied for fourth place are Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, Europe's oldest national park known for its cascading lakes, and Maloti-Drakensberg Park in South Africa, famous for its dramatic landscapes and impressive rock formations.
In the Croatian site, visitors can explore the park through a network of wooden walkways and hiking trails, allowing them to witness the Plitvice Lakes’ stunning natural beauty up close.
Meanwhile, Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transboundary site that extends over both Lesotho and South Africa. The African park is renowned for the variety of plant and animal species it is home to, as well as its ancient rock art sites, which provide insight into the region's cultural heritage.
Wrapping up the top five most visually striking UNESCO sites in the world is the Island of Mozambique, a historic island located off the northern coast of the African country. Known for its key role as a trading post in the 1600s, the island showcases a fascinating mix of architectural styles, including Arab, Indian, and European influences, and is known for its well-preserved colonial-era buildings, forts, and mosques.
The full list and a breakdown of how long each UNESCO site held the gaze for can be found here.