The world from your living room: travel with these five virtual tours

Some of the world's greatest sites may be unreachable for now, but we can still marvel at them through these virtual tours

The site of Machu Picchu in Peru via Google Arts & Culture.

As the world continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, it will surely take time for tourism to pick up again. But thanks to the wonders of technology, we can satisfy our sense of wanderlust just a little with virtual tours of the world's most stunning locations.

Here are a few online tours that are worth getting lost in.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Google Arts & Culture offers a look at this 15th-century citadel created by the Inca Empire sits high on the Andes Mountains in Peru. A wonder of engineering, the site holds a complex of palaces, plaza and temples, though its original purpose remains a mystery.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The virtual Angkor project offers 360-degree panoramic views of the world’s largest religious monument. Covering a sprawling 160 hectares, the Angkor Wat complex north of Siem Reap was first built as a Hindu temple by the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 12th century, then became a Buddhist towards the latter half.

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

The otherworldly look of the Causeway Coast’s dramatic cliffs is the result of volcanic activity from 50 to 60 million years ago. The Giant’s Causeway is made up of 40,000 black basalt columns that rise from the sea and has inspired many mythological legends, including that the formations were built by giants.

Great Wall of China, China

It took 2,000 years to build this impressive sentry, noted as one of man’s greatest achievements. Construction towards interlinking these walls and watchtowers began during the rule of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, as a way as a way to protect the empire from outside tribes. Consequent dynasties followed suit. As it stands, the Great Wall totals 21,196 kilometres in length, not counting the estimated one third of the wall that had disappeared over time.

Palace of Versailles, France

Majestic and opulent, the Palace of Versailles is everything you imagine a royal residence to be. French King Louis XIV made it his home in 1641, but fled to Paris in 1789 as the French Revolution broke out. The complex includes the dazzling Hall of Mirrors, lush gardens, and a royal chapel.