Taj Mahal ranks 3rd among world''s top landmarks

Travellers from across the globe have ranked Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world, reports The Statesman quoting a leading travel website on Tuesday.

According to TripAdvisor's 2015 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards, Taj Mahal was ranked third in the list of top landmarks.

The top two places were taken by Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia respectively.

"The Travellers' Choice Landmarks highlight some of the world's most iconic, must-see attractions that have won over the TripAdvisor community," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, the white marble mausoleum in Agra is also a symbol of enduring love.

In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal attracts 2-4 million visitors annually, with more than 200,000 from overseas.

The Tower of London was named as the best rated landmark in the UK with Edinburgh Castle in Scotland in second place.

"The UK is blessed with a lot of fantastic landmarks, but especially in the summer they can prove very popular, so it often pays to plan ahead and book a tour in advance," said a TripAdvisor spokesperson.

Gordon Innes, CEO London & Partners, the Mayor of London's official promotional company for London attributed the Tower's popularity last year to the "spectacular poppy installation" in memory of the war heroes of World War One, with more than five million attending the stunning display.

"It's no surprise that this world-famous landmark, along with six other iconic London attractions, have been deservedly championed by the TripAdvisor community," he said.

However, none of the UK landmarks made it to the global top 10.

The list is based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers and the winners are determined using an algorithm.