A pose in a photo makes it more noticeable. A picture can tell a thousand words, and the addition of a pose can change the way we perceive a photo. Posing next to monuments, people express their emotions at the time of a photograph. The monuments you'll read about in this article are among the world's ancient remnants and the most spectacular products of architecture.

There are different classifications for monuments. They can be natural monuments, religious monuments, or cultural monuments. Representing people and historical events, monuments tell a story and are visited by tourists—over ten million people visit the Great Wall of China per year! Even if you're not interested in a history lesson, visiting monuments is fulfilling. The suavest of travelers have visited at least a few of these monuments. A vacation can be relaxing and educational; it doesn't have to be one or the other.

Around the world, monuments such as Angkor Wat, a massive religious structure in Cambodia and Twelve Apostles, a natural monument in Australia captivate our imaginations. The oldest human-made structures on Earth can be found below. These are 30 photos of people posing next to monuments.

30 Taj Mahal

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is shown posing in front of the Taj Mahal, one of India's most famous monuments. Perhaps Durant is trying to hold the Taj Mahal in his hand. It's an unusual pose by one of the world's top basketball players. The reflection of the Taj Mahal is visible in its pool.

Built by 22,000 laborers over the course of 17 years, the Taj Mahal is made almost entirely out of white marble. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in commemoration of his wife. This monument is also referred to as "crown of palaces."

29 Chinning in the Forbidden City

This is a bit of a travel selfie new trend. According to The Independent, it is called 'chinning' and it is exactly what we see here in front of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, a woman showing her chin (or chins) at the monument.

Although it is hardly forbidden in the modern era, the Forbidden City used to be an imperial palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and was restricted for ordinary people, but she does not seem quite 'ordinary'.

The Forbidden City is grand in size. It holds 980 buildings over 720,000 square meters of land. The city is also known as the "Palace Museum" and sees around 80,000 visitors per day. You'll need at least 2-3 hours when visiting the Forbidden City.

28 Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign in California is a monument to the city. The sign was first created in 1923 and was replaced with a new, updated sign a little more than 50 years later. The sign's security is continually being updated. Many people have tried to vandalize and go into unauthorized areas around the Hollywood sign. The monument now has 24-hour security that is monitored by the city of Los Angeles.

Could this group have brought more cameras? Including the one used to take this photograph, there are at least five cameras in this picture. Lights, camera, and more cameras!

27 Camel Surfing In Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza are on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Standing on a camel could be dangerous since it's basically like standing on water. Camels store water in their humps, which is why they can go three to five days without drinking water. The desert is hot, and transportation can aid you on your journey.

You might catch a heat-stroke while visiting the Pyramids of Giza, but at least you can say you visited pyramids that were built approximately 4,500 years ago. Scientists use carbon dating among other methods to determine the age of the pyramids. How an ancient civilization built pyramids including Khufu, which weighed about 5,750,000 tons, may never be solved.

26 Tower of Pisa, Italy

You couldn't correct the lean of the Tower of Pisa with a push, but you can pose next to it and pretend to. Italy's Tower of Pisa tilt formed during its construction because the ground was softer on one side of the tower. By the end of development, the tower's tilt began to increase. Instead of destroying the tower, the tower was stabilized and continues to stand with a tilt. If you think its current angle seems dangerous, you'll be surprised to learn that the tower had a significantly larger tilt before restoration. It used to lean at 5.5 degrees and now is at 3.99 degrees.

25 Sphinx

A kiss on the Sphinx's nose would be appropriate if it weren't smashed in 1378 CE. Evidently, Muhammad Sa'im al-Dah, a Sufi Muslim, broke the nose. Muhammad Sa'im al-Dah was later executed for his act of vandalism. The tale of how the Sphinx's nose was lost is an age-old one with one version suggesting that Napoleon's soldiers shot the nose off with a cannonball.

This tourist cleverly pretends to kiss the Sphinx on the mouth. Would it have been a better photo if the Sphinx's nose remained? Most certainly, but a Sphinx should not be judged based on its appearance.

24 The Louvre Glass Pyramid

The Louvre Museum glass pyramid, which located in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum, is an attraction for filmmakers. Louvre Museum appeared in movies The Da Vinci Code, 3 Days to Kill, The Dreamers, The Age of Innocence, and French Kiss.

The architecture of The Louvre glass Pyramid is a sight to be seen. The actual Louvre museum, which can also be seen in this photograph, is the biggest museum in the world and sees about 15,000 visitors per day. Many are unaware that the main glass pyramid is one of four contained in the Louvre Museum's courtyard.

23 Atomium In Brussels

Jumping in the air as a photograph is taken is a sure way for a photo to stand out in a collection. Strive to have a unique pose. Show friends and family that your life is exciting by jumping for joy in a compelling snapshot.

Atomium in Brussels is representative of a single iron crystal which has been magnified 165 billion times. For educational purposes, it could be worth the trip to see Atomium. The atom shines in the evening, making it a romantic spot for couples. There's not much to do there, but you can capture a beautiful picture.

22 Cabrillo Statue At The Cabrillo National Monument

This man has clearly not fully grasped the concept of a selfie, or maybe, he has grasped it perfectly. We believe he tried very hard to show the monument, but in the end it just is a photo of him and an almost fully visible, tiny Cabrillo statue at the Cabrillo National Monument.

This seems to happen a lot with travel selfies, I don't think he meant to be part of a trend!

The original Cabrillo statue was created in 1913. After standing for decades until 1988, the Cabrillo statue was replaced by a limestone replica. The original sculpture was deteriorating, so it was replaced. The statue is a memorial for Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Spanish explorer from the 1500s.

21 Great Wall Of China

The Great Wall of China's name can be considered an understatement. The 2,300-year-old wall crosses nine provinces in the country of China. According to chinatravellers.com, over 10 million people visit the Great Wall of China per year, and often, sections can be quite crowded. At least this person found an area to strike a mighty pose atop the wall.

Be careful when walking on the wall. Although the Great Wall of China was built for protection, there isn't much to prevent people from falling over an edge. Staircases are steep, and the floor can be icy in the winter. Strike a pose, but be aware of your surroundings at all times.

20 Leshan Giant Buddha

It is one of the most impressive sculptures in the world. For the creator to have designed this monument from a cliff's face and not freestanding takes tremendous skill. Not only is expertise required, but knowledge of geological features. If creator Hai Tong were not careful, the cliff could have collapsed, ruining the monument.

Overwhelmingly, reviews for the Leshan Giant Buddha are above average. It's the perfect trip for honeymooners and ordinary travelers.

In person, the Leshan Giant Buddha is much more impressive, yet this picture makes it seem like it's just outside someone's living room. It needs to be seen if visiting Leshan, China. The sculpture is still intact after 1,300 years!

19 Washington Monument

Of course, a monument with the word "monument" in its name should be included on this page of people posing next to monuments. Is there any limit to how many poses one could make in front of a camera? Jumping as a photo is taken makes for an eye-catching photograph.

You could jump with your hands in the air or pose with a jumping kick.

The Washington Monument is found in Washington, D.C. and has been standing since its construction in 1848. Washington, D.C. has numerous monuments and historical sites in honor of the first U.S. president, George Washington.

18 Arc De Triomphe

The Arc De Triomphe was built in 1836. Arc De Triomphe in Paris is an arch monument that stands to commemorate French people. It's a large structure that's in the middle of a roundabout and sometimes it can get a bit crowded.

Arc De Triomphe is the world's second-largest triumphal arc that is a must-see for tourists in Paris, France.

We can definitely see the crowds it draws in this photo. It's not so much just the photo of this traveler, but seeing the selfie within the selfie, with all the people around taking their own version of this picture.

17 Middle of the Earth in Ecuador

Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Middle of Earth in Ecuador) contains a monument to the equator. Next to the monument is a line that pinpoints the exact location of the equator. One could be standing in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere at the same time.

Standing on both sides of the equator, this poses raises her hands with exuberance.

The monument to the equator is open all year. The city of Quao is the highest capital city in the world with an elevation of 2,800 meters above sea level.

16 Eiffel Tower Couple

The Eiffel Tower is the quintessential version of Paris. You don't have to be in a relationship to visit Paris, France. There are a variety of Parisian boutiques that sell in vogue items. Even from this distance, the Eiffel Tower's size is imposing.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most romantic places to be.

The above photo provides a view of the full tower from a suitable vantage point. The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in France for 81 years. Looking out the window of your airplane, you may see it in the distance when arriving in Paris.

15 Mount Rushmore

More than two million visitors arrive at Mount Rushmore each year. It is considered a natural monument that is in Pennington County, South Dakota. Smiling in front of the camera is the most common pose to make in a photograph.

But some people try to get a bit more creative and pretend to touch them or pick their noses. 

Mount Rushmore is not the most exciting monument to visit, but for those looking to experience history and get a glimpse of four of the most famous figures in the US, it's a rewarding trip.

14 Vivekananda Rock Memorial - a different perspective

The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which was built in 1970, is a popular tourist destination in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. Crowds gather around and inside the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which uses a blend of architectural styles.

The heat can be extreme, but it's a cultural monument that is worth the visit.

There is a fee of 10 Indian Rupees to approach the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. There are too many reasons to want to visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which is located in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. You'll gain a view of a cultural monument while enjoying the tranquility of the rock and the nearby Laccadive Sea.

13 selfies of other's selfies in Greece

Greece, Santorini's famous blue domed church is among Greece's many beautiful places. People can pose next to Santorini's domed churches, but it is advisable to do so respectfully since they are religious sites.

Some people get so bored with regular pictures that they just take pictures of people taking pictures.

For an authentic Greece experience, visiting the blue domed church is unparalleled. There are plenty of blue domed churches in Greece, but this is the only place you can pose next to three blue domes. Tourists from all over the world pose next to the church at this location.

12 Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

Dubai's tourism is surging, and people are heading to Dubai in part for its monuments. The Burj Khalifa is an even bigger building in Dubai that due to its size, can be difficult to pose next to in a photo. Still, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is an impressive luxury hotel, the third tallest hotel in the world.

It is placed on an artificial island just off the coast of Jumeirah Beach. A woman stands in front of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Even enjoying the beach next to the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is a worthwhile trip.

11 Ancient Greek City Of Ephesus

The city of Ephesus was an essential trading center in the Mediterranean region and is now an ancient Greek city frequented by tourists. This couple stands on the steps of a theater in Ephesus. Of the remains of Ephesus, this theatre is considered to be the most impressive remnants. The theater can seat approximately 25,000 people.

A trip to the Ancient City of Ephesus is excellent for traveling with friends. The climate of Greece is typically sunny with mild rain and occasional snow in the winter. With sunshine throughout most of the year, you'll want to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, summer shoes, and a water bottle.