The world's most intriguing cities named

Athens, Greece, is in the running to be one of the new wonders of the world. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

THE hunt is on for the most intriguing city in the world.

From Casablanca to Athens, Doha and Prague, 28 finalists have been chosen as part of a new New7Wonders campaign.

Created by Swiss-born filmmaker and explorer Bernard Weber, more than 100 million votes flooded in back in 2007 when he asked the world which seven wonders were the greatest. The Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China were among the winners.

This time, the focus is on city wonders.

"This outstanding shortlist of 28 cities mirrors the diversity of urban society, especially when, for the first time in history, more than half of our planet's population lives in cities," Weber said. "Going forward, the New7Wonders Cities campaign will encourage debate about how cities should respond to the challenges of the present and the future. By voting in this worldwide campaign, people everywhere can decide the seven cities that best represent the achievements and aspirations of our global urban civilisation."

There are three more elimination phases, and the competition will end on December 7, 2014.

The 28 finalists:

• Athens, Greece

• Bangkok, Thailand

• Barcelona, Spain

• Beirut, Lebanon

• Casablanca, Morocco

• Chicago, US

• Doha, Qatar

Doha, Qatar. Picture: Getty Images Source: Supplied

• Durban, South Africa

Cabana Beach, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, South Africa. Picture: Jody D'Arcy Source: Supplied

• Havana, Cuba

El Capitolio in Havana, Cuba. Picture: Thinkstock Source: News Limited

• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Istanbul, Turkey

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Batu Caves at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

• Kyoto, Japan

• La Paz, Bolivia

• London, United Kingdom

• Mendoza, Argentina

• Mexico City, Mexico

• Mumbai, India

• Perth, Australia

• Phnom Penh, Cambodia

• Prague, the Czech Republic

Prague. Picture: Thinkstock Source: News Limited

• Quito, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

• Reykjavik, Iceland

The Reykjavik skyline. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

• St. Petersburg, Russia

• Seoul, South Korea

• Shenzhen, China

• Vancouver, Canada

• Vigan, the Philippines.

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