World-famous tourist destinations are deserted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kaaba Temple

Every year, millions of Muslims make a pilgrimage to the Kaaba, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba is a rectangular structure made of granite, measuring 15.2 meters high, 10.7 meters wide, and 12.2 meters long, covered in black kiswa silk embroidered with gold thread. It is believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed.

The COVID-19 pandemic led the Saudi Arabian government to suspend visas for pilgrims to Mecca from the end of February 2020. As a result, the Kaaba shrine has seen only a handful of people these days.

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square, a vast expanse of space located in Vatican City in front of St. Peter's Basilica, is a masterpiece of architecture and balance, evoking a sense of reverence and spiritual peace. Designed in the 1600s by Bernini, the square, though constrained by the surrounding architecture, still managed to create a trapezoidal square with exquisite symmetry.

On March 6th, the Vatican announced the discovery of its first Covid-19 case and immediately erected barricades. St. Peter's Square, a popular tourist attraction and a major economic draw for the Vatican, became deserted, even during prayer services.

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple is an important Buddhist temple in the Asakura district and Tokyo. It is also known as one of the oldest and most colorful temples in the city. According to legend, in 628, two brothers carved a statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon to release into the Sumida River as part of a ritual. Each time they released the statue, it returned to its original spot, and from this legend, Sensoji Temple was built.

Considered a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Tokyo, Sensoji is surprisingly rarely visited these days.

St. Mark's Square

Venice is considered one of the most romantic cities in Europe, with St. Mark's Square considered its "heart." Napoleon once called this unique square "the most beautiful square in Europe," and it is always bustling with tourists, photographers, and pigeons.

Covid-19 led to a complete lockdown in Italy, with citizens required to stay home and foreign tourists prohibited from entering the country. Consequently, Europe's most beautiful square was devoid of visitors.

Disneyland

Recently, Disney announced the closure of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, USA, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The company also announced that Disneyland Paris and its cruise ships would cease operations. Prior to this, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, had also closed. Currently, all 11 Disney parks across North America, Europe, and Asia have stopped welcoming visitors.

Tokyo Dome Stadium

Located in the heart of Tokyo, Japan's capital city, Tokyo Dome is the home arena of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team and also hosts basketball, football, and professional wrestling games, with a capacity of up to 55,000 people. Designed by Japanese architects, Tokyo Dome is modeled after a baseball and is designed as a closed sphere.

The pandemic has led to the cancellation of sporting events and other planned events here.

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is Milan's main square, situated between some of the city's most important buildings, including the world's oldest trading center and the largest cathedral in Italy. Therefore, Piazza del Duomo is always the first choice for tourists visiting the beautiful city of Milan.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is one of Beijing's most famous tourist attractions, known as the "heart" of the capital. Built in 1417, the square was originally named Chengtian Gate.

During the Qing Dynasty, the square was renamed Tiananmen Square. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it housed the offices of imperial officials. After the Boxer Rebellion, it was severely damaged and subsequently renovated by the imperial court to become the square it is today. In the center of the square are the Monument to the People's Heroes and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Walking west of the square, visitors will find the Great Hall of the People – a former venue for major conferences and now the building housing the Chinese National People's Congress. To the east of Tiananmen Square is the National Museum of China.

Although Tiananmen Square is usually packed with tourists, it was eerily deserted during the pandemic.

Colosseum

The Colosseum originated from an idea by Emperor Vespasian, began under Titus in the early 80s, and was completed under Domitian. Situated on marshland between the Esquiline and Caelian hills, it is the largest structure built during the Roman Empire and one of the most beautiful surviving examples of Roman architecture. The Colosseum is also a major tourist attraction in Rome. Every year, on Easter Friday, the Pope leads a torchlight procession to the Colosseum.

Grand Central Station in New York City

Manhattan's Grand Central Station (meticulously restored in the 1990s) is a grand, traditional train station dating back to the height of the national railroad. Built for the New York Central Railroad between 1903 and 1913, Grand Central was the world's largest train station and a major New York tourist attraction. Approximately 750,000 people arrive and depart daily, admiring the magnificent architecture of Grand Central. It's also a hub for shopping and dining, making it an ideal entertainment destination.

Huong Thao