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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
A view of the Times Square in New York City.

People, including Indians, are travelling more to see some of the most amazing places in the world.

International tourist arrivals were up 6.6 per cent in 2010, according to the World Tourism Organization. China ousted Spain as the third most-visited country with 55.7 million foreign arrivals, while France and the US held tight to their first and second place rankings.

Let us have a look at 30 most-visited places in the world, according to a study conducted by travelandleisure.com.

China and India are even bigger than the US, but their lack of dependable visitor statistics and limited domestic tourism markets help account for their few attractions on the list, according to the study.

Note: The ranking is based on both local visitors and foreign tourists.

Attraction: Times Square

Annual visitors: 39,200,000

City: New York City

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
People skate on the Wollman ice rink in Central Park.

Attraction: Central Park

Annual visitors: 38,000,000

City: New York City

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Union Station in Washington, DC.

Attraction: Union Station

Annual visitors: 37,000,000

City: Washington, DC

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
The Bellagio Hotel and Casino at Flamingo Road and the Las Vegas Strip.

Attraction: Las Vegas Strip

Annual visitors: 29,467,000

City: Las Vegas

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
The 'Maid of the Mist' ventures at the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Attraction: Niagara Falls

Annual visitors: 22,500,000

City: New York and Ontario

Country: The United States and Canada

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Travellers make their way to trains in Grand Central Station, New York.

Attraction: Grand Central Terminal

Annual visitors: 21,600,000

City: New York City

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston.

Attraction: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Annual visitors: 18,000,000

City: Boston

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Magic Kingdom in Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Attraction: Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Annual visitors: 16,972,000

City: Orlando

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Mickey and Minnie Mouse take part in a Disneyland parade.

Attraction: Disneyland Park

Annual visitors: 15,980,000

City: Anaheim, California

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Visitors shop in Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Attraction: Grand Bazaar

Annual visitors: 15,000,000

City: Istanbul

Country: Turkey

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Disney characters Donald, right, and Daisy Duck, dressed in traditional Japanese outfits, perform at Tokyo Disneyland.

Attraction:  Tokyo Disneyland

Annual visitors: 14,452,000

City: Tokyo

Country: Japan

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Sea lions sleep on a pontoon dock at Pier 39 in San Francisco harbour.

Attraction: Pier 39

Annual visitors: 14,000,000

City: San Francisco

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
The Notre Dame Cathedral is seen in an aerial view in Paris.

Attraction: Notre Dame Cathedral

Annual visitors: 13,650,000

City: Paris

Country: France

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
A view of the Golden Gate Park.

Attraction: Golden Gate Park

Annual visitors: 13,000,000

City: San Francisco

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Forbidden City in China.

Attraction: Forbidden City

Annual visitors: 12,830,000

City: Beijing

Country: China

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Epcot in Florida.

Attraction: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Annual visitors: 10,825,000

City: Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
A view of the Disneyland Park.

Attraction: Disneyland Park

Annual visitors: 10,500,000

City: Marne-la-Vallee

Country: France

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris.

Attraction: Sacre Coeur Basilica

Annual visitors: 10,500,000

City: Paris

Country: France

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
A view of Hong Kong.

Attraction: Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront

Annual visitors: 10,088,493

City: Hong Kong

Country: Hong Kong

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

Attraction: Victoria Peak

Annual visitors: 10,088,493

City: Hong Kong

Country: Hong Kong

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Pike Place Market.

Attraction: Pike Place Market

Annual visitors: 10,000,000

City: Seattle

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
The Zocalo in Mexico City.

Attraction: The Zocalo

Annual visitors: 10,000,000

City: Mexico City

Country: Mexico

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Attraction: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Annual visitors: 9,686,000

City: Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Attraction: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Annual visitors: 9,603,000

City: Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Attraction: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Annual visitors: 9,463,538

States: Tennessee and North Carolina

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
A view of the Great Wall of China.

Attraction: Great Wall of China

Annual visitors: 9,000,000

Country: China

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
South Street Seaport in New York City.

Attraction: South Street Seaport

Annual visitors: 9,000,000

City: New York City

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Navy Pier in Chicago.

Attraction: Navy Pier

Annual visitors: 8,690,000

City: Chicago

Country: The United States

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Musee du Louvre in Paris.

Attraction: Musee du Louvre

Annual visitors: 8,500,000

City: Paris

Country: France

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30 most-visited attractions in the world

Last updated on: December 27, 2011 08:48 IST
Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

Attraction: National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian)

Annual visitors: 8,300,000

City: Washington, DC

Country: The United States