Describe a tourist attraction you enjoyed visiting

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 518 with Model Answer:

Describe a tourist attraction you enjoyed visiting.

You should say:

• what this tourist attraction is
• when and why you visited it
• what you did there

and explain why you enjoyed visiting this tourist attraction.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:

I have been lucky to visit some of the most popular and iconic tourist attractions in the world. But, today, I would like about one such iconic attraction which certainly deserves a bit more attention than the others. I am talking about “The Taj Mahal”.

Now, for those, who travel the world, the Taj Mahal is very much like a “household” name. This world-renowned, tourist attraction is one of the most beautiful buildings and architectural marvels of the world that is ever created. Although this exquisite, ivory-white marble mausoleum has been standing there tall, on the south bank of the “Yamuna (or Jamuna) River” of the Indian city of Agra for almost 4 centuries, it has been designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO only recently in 1983.

Anyway, even though, I visited this place, also duly regarded as one of the 7th wonders of the modern world, not only to learn and connect with an ancient history, which introduced many wonderful things to our world, but also to see how one of the most powerful emperors in human history could be so “creative and compassionate” in displaying his love and affection for his dear wife.

Besides, there are just too many things to do there. But when I actually got to the site, I could only stare at the structure like I was hypnotized by its beauty. Of course, I took some pictures there too, in addition to watching the sunset descending on the grand structure, but my mind only was going back 4 centuries to find out what really was going inside the mind of the great Mughal emperor when he was watching it being built.

In the end, all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this grand monumental structure because it allowed me to have a glimpse of a very eventful past that shaped the history of a very significant part of our world. I enjoyed it also because it allowed me to sense some kind of unexplainable mystery – a “mystery of endless love” between two persons.

Sample Answer 2:

Introduction:
Thank you for this nice topic. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about a tourist attraction that I enjoyed visiting. The attraction I would like to describe is the Great Wall of China, which is located in China.

What this tourist attraction is:
The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China. The wall stretches over 13,000 miles and is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. I was so happy to be there. It was a great experience.

When and why you visited it:
I visited the Great Wall of China during the summer season of 2018 with my family. We decided to visit this iconic monument because of its historical significance, cultural importance and the natural beauty surrounding it. It was a part of our travel itinerary to explore China and its culture, and the Great Wall was one of the must-visit attractions on our list.

What you did there:
I visited the Great Wall of China with my family, and we were all amazed by its grandeur and magnitude. We hiked for several hours along the wall, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. We also explored several watchtowers and learned about the history and significance of the wall.

And explain why you enjoyed visiting this tourist attraction:
What I enjoyed most about visiting the Great Wall of China was the sense of history and cultural significance that it embodied. It was awe-inspiring to think about the generations of people who had built and maintained the wall, and the role that it had played in shaping the history and culture of China. Moreover, the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape made the experience even more memorable. To be honest, visiting the Great Wall of China was an unforgettable experience that left me with a deep appreciation for the history and famous tourist spots all over the world.