The Taj Mahal, the love story behind one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

India's most popular attraction, the Taj Mahal, was described by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as 'a teardrop on the cheek of eternity.' The highlight of our trip to India was finally here. With great anticipation, we arrived at the Taj Mahal from our hotel in Agra. Staying nearby had its perks; we could visit early in the morning, avoiding long ticket lines and capturing photos with fewer people in the background. Kudos to the travel agency for this thoughtful arrangement! The most iconic view of the Taj Mahal is from the Moonlight Garden's reflecting pool. The white marble domes and four minarets of the Indo-Islamic architecture are breathtakingly majestic. It is said that the construction cost 32 million rupees, using white marble, sapphires, carnelian, and pearls. Foreigners need to pay 1300 rupees (about 500 TWD) to enter the grounds and the mausoleum. Online tickets are 50 rupees cheaper and save you the hassle of queuing for tickets on-site. Besides the main structure, there are red sandstone buildings on either side, including a mosque and a guest house, both typical of Mughal architecture. There's also the Taj Museum at the front, which you can visit for free with your ticket, and it takes less than half an hour to tour. The story behind the Taj Mahal is equally romantic. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It symbolizes love and romance, as well as India's culture and religion, making it a significant historical site where Islamic and Indian cultures converge.