Top 12 Natural Wonders of the World
While the Great Wall of China and the Burj Khalifa are undoubtedly impressive, many of the world's most impressive sites were created by Mother Nature herself. ... read more...There are plenty of natural wonders to explore around the world, from stateside wonders like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls to faraway wonders like a pink lake in Australia and mystical peaks in China. Natural wonders of the world you should visit in your lifetime are listed below.
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The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and you only need to stand on its rim once to understand why. There are no better views in the world than those offered by the Grand Canyon's vast and vibrant landscape.
The majority of visitors travel to the Grand Canyon's South Rim, where they spend the entire day taking in the views from the overlooks that line the canyon's rim. Take one of the many hiking trails down into the canyon if you are in decent shape and want a more immersive experience. Consider taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour for a less taxing option to create lifelong memories.
Visit the Geological Museum to find out more about the formation and geology of the canyon if you're curious. You can get a great view of the rock layers in the canyon wall from Lipan Point on Desert View Drive.
The Grand Canyon is in Arizona, in the United States. Phoenix and Las Vegas are the closest big cities.Location: Arizona, USA
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The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. It is made up of 2,900 smaller reef sections and 900 islands, totaling 2,300 kilometers of reef spread across 344,400 square kilometers of ocean. These reefs, or reef systems, are found in the appropriately named Coral Sea, which is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The reef is home to a wide range of coral, fish, and marine species, including plant life and tiny aquatic organisms as well as sharks, turtles, and rays. This region has historically been one of the most biologically diverse, and the variety of colors and life found here is astounding.
Travelers and tourists from all over the world come to admire the reefs and the marine life that inhabits them while diving and snorkeling in the coral and reef forests. Although the reef has suffered from tourism and climate change, conservation efforts aim to safeguard this lovely and delicate habitat to ensure that the world does not lose this incredible natural wonder.
Location: Queensland, Australia
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At 8,848.86 meters above sea level, Mount Everest is regarded as the highest point on Earth. It is guarded by Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas and is parked directly on the border between Nepal and Tibet.
Tibetans refer to Mount Everest as Chomolungma, which means "Goddess Mother of Snow," while Nepalese people refer to it as Sagarmatha. Because Tibet and Nepal were off limits to outsiders at the time, the mountain's native names were unknown to the British Royal Geographical Society, who gave it an English name in 1865.
Without actually climbing the mountain, you can take a helicopter tour to get as close to the summit as you can, which may be preferred by many. Everest climbing is not something that should be taken lightly. It takes about 14 days to complete the trek to base camp. It's not a weekend getaway either. You most likely won't be able to physically approach the mountain if it is snowing. Delays frequently occur.
While Mount Everest is the highest point on the planet above sea level, it is not the tallest mountain when measured from base to tip. That honor belongs to Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano, which reaches 4.2km into the sky and 6km into the sea. Because the Earth is not a perfect sphere (it bulges out around the equator), Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is the tallest mountain in terms of distance from the Earth's center, with a peak that is around 2km closer to the stars than Everest's.
Since Mount Everest is largely covered in stormy snow for the majority of the year, most specialized travel websites typically advise traveling between September and November or April and May. Take a flight into Beijing or Shanghai, then a train or a flight to Lhasa, and then a car or a hike to the base camp. As an alternative, you can fly into Kathmandu in Nepal and take a flight or a helicopter to the base camp.
Location: border of Nepal and China
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For visitors to the Northern Hemisphere, the Northern Lights have become a sensation. The Northern Lights are auroras, which are mysterious displays of light in the sky that occur naturally. Along the northern horizon, a soft glow is produced by the northern lights as they dance across the sky.
As you move further north, closer to the Arctic's magnetic pole, the northern lights become more intense. Unfortunately, because the northern lights only occasionally appear, it can be difficult for travelers to see them while on a short trip. Locals in these northern regions are more likely to encounter them.
There are many interesting places to visit in the world when planning a trip to see the northern lights. The northern hemisphere's most remote regions, such as Canada's far north, Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, are the best places to view the northern lights.
In the winter, there is a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights. They happen all year long, but the winter's dark skies make them easier to see.Location: Iceland
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Due to the fact that this natural wonder is located in Michoacán, Mexico, even frequent travelers might not be familiar with Paricutin. Even more so than well-known volcanoes like Yellowstone, this cinder cone volcano was named one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
In 1952, Paricutin last erupted. Due to the fact that people were present for its birth and rapid formation, it was named one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Either on foot or on a horse, you can make the twelve-mile roundtrip journey to the volcano's summit. Around the volcano, hikers will traverse lava fields and sandbanks.
Any time of the year is a good time to visit Paricutin. From Mexico City, it takes about seven hours to get there. For a taste of both nature and culture, combine a trip to the volcano with a visit to the nation's capital. In the city of Urapan, accommodations can be found close to the volcano.
Location: Michoacán, Mexico
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Victoria Falls is located in Africa, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This magnificent waterfall is fed by the Zambezi River.
The falls are accessible from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingston in Zambia. Cross the border to see this magnificent natural wonder from a different perspective. The best views are in Zimbabwe, but Zambia offers a more intimate experience. Helicopter and microlight tours are also excellent ways to see the falls. Consider swimming in the Devil's Pool, which is located almost at the edge of the falls on the Zambian side.
The rainy season lasts from late November to early April. Right after this, when the weather is nice but there is still a lot of water flowing over the falls, is a good time to visit.
It's simple to get to Victoria Falls whether you fly into Zimbabwe or Zambia. The closer and busier of the two airports is Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Zambia. Most people take a flight into Johannesburg before continuing on to the falls. Keep an eye on the weight of your luggage because the smaller aircraft landing at these airports have lower weight restrictions.Location: border of Zambia and Zimbabwe
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The Rio de Janeiro Harbour, located in Brazil, is surrounded by unique granite and quartz mountains formed by erosion from the Atlantic Ocean. It is also known as Guanabara Bay, and it is located near the famous white stone statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands atop Corcovado Mountain and overlooks the bay. It is the world's largest bay in terms of volume of water.
The best vantage points from which to view the bay are from a helicopter or the cable car that ascends Sugarloaf Mountain. The bay's islands, including Governador Island, Paquetá Island, and Ilha das Cobras (also known as the "Island of the Snakes"), are also accessible.
The Harbour is used by many locals for sunbathing as well, but it is very polluted.Rio de Janeiro, which translates as "January River," is Brazil's second-largest city. There is no river there, but when the Portuguese explorer Gaspar de Lemos arrived in January 1502 and thought Guanabara Bay was the mouth of a river, he was mistaken. Visit between September and October, before the humidity sets in. You can take a plane to Rio de Janeiro.
Location: Brazil
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There aren't many sights as magnificent and breathtaking as Niagara Falls! The Falls, which are shared by the United States and Canada and are situated in a strait between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, have grown in popularity as a destination for honeymooners and families alike. From vantage points along the American and Canadian sides of the Niagara River, you can see the Falls year-round. However, a summer night visit to Niagara Falls, Canada, will reveal a spectacular display of lights and fireworks. Young and old are equally impressed by the roar of the Falls and the gently cooling mist. There aren't many sights as stunning and majestic as Niagara Falls. The Falls, which are located in a strait between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and are shared by the United States and Canada, have become a popular vacation destination for families and honeymooners alike.
Niagara Falls offers 365 days of nonstop excitement; each season offers different opportunities for visitors to take advantage of. The busiest travel seasons are from late June to just after Labor Day, nearly all holiday long weekends, and the winter vacation periods. Even though prime time is busier, it also has the best weather (mid-80 degrees), amazing views of the Falls in the sun, and almost every tourist attraction is open for enjoyment by all. The spring, fall, and winter seasons provide a calm atmosphere to experience Niagara Falls at a comfortable pace without all the long lines, allowing you to avoid some of the busy prime-time crowds.
Location: Canada
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Zhangjiajie is a city, region, and national park all rolled into one. It is in Central China, approximately 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Hong Kong. Are you a fan of Avatar's Hallelujah Mountains? The real ones can be found in Zhangjiajie. The national park contains 243 peaks and over 3,000 pinnacles and spires. When the peaks are caught in the right light or when the early morning mountain mist rolls in around them, scenes from Avatar come to mind. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was established in 1982 as China's first national forest park.
Although Zhangjiajie is open all year round, the seasons will have an impact on your visit.
There is no high-speed rail in Zhangjiajie, which is a small city surrounded by mountains. It also has a modest airport. Flying directly to Zhangjiajie from Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou is the most efficient way to travel there. They are hubs for international flights and offer daily flights to Zhangjiajie.
It is generally not advised to take a train to Zhangjiajie because there isn't a bullet train there yet. Major tourist cities require a direct train trip of at least 10 hours.Location: China
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Lake Hillier is located on Middle Island, the largest of the Recherche Archipelago. The Lake is about 600 meters long and 250 meters wide, with an area of about 16 hectares.
The vibrant color of Lake Hillier is permanent and does not change even when the water is taken in a container, unlike other pink lakes in Western Australia that fade out during the summer. This makes Lake Hillier a fantastic vacation spot throughout the year because you can be sure to see it at its most pink no matter when you go! Another distinctive feature of Lake Hillier is that it is an island. Even though there are numerous seasonal pink lakes in Australia, none are as stunning or even close to being as pink as Lake Hillier. They are all located on the mainland and many are very accessible. In spite of the fact that Lake Hillier is effectively "land-locked" and is only a short distance from the Southern Ocean thanks to a thin strip of shoreline, the contrast between the lake's gorgeous turquoise waters and the area's pristine white beaches makes for breathtaking views.
Flying is the best way to view Lake Hillier. A 100-minute scenic flight via Lucky Bay, the Recherche Archipelago, and Cape Le Grand National Park is offered by Goldfields Air Services up to six times per day. Due to its distance from Esperance—150 km—on Middle Island, Lake Hillier cannot be reached by land.
The organism Dunaliella salina is thought to be responsible for the pink color of the highly salinized water. A particular variety of halophile green microalgae found in sea salt fields is called Dunaliella salina. It is used in cosmetics and dietary supplements and is known for its antioxidant activity because of its capacity to produce large amounts of carotenoids. Few organisms can endure in salt evaporation ponds, which have such high salinities, as D. salina does. These organisms require high levels of -carotene to protect them from harsh light, as well as high levels of glycerol to protect them from osmotic pressure, in order to survive. This opens the door to the commercial biological production of these substances.
Only the air or the sea can be used to access Lake Hillier. Six scenic flights leave from Esperance Airport each day. Middle Island is inaccessible by land, but the aerial view is breathtaking!
Location: Goldfields-Esperance, Australia
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Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, is made up of approximately 1,600 islands and islets that form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by human presence due to their precipitous nature. Many nature lovers contribute to the site's outstanding scenic beauty.
Numerous limestone islands and karsts of different sizes and shapes can be found in the bay. It took 500 million years for the limestone in this bay to form under various conditions and environments. Under the influence of the tropical wet climate, the karst in this bay has evolved over the course of 20 million years.
There are 60 endemic animal species and 14 endemic floral species in Ha Long Bay. Tens of thousands of years ago, according to historical research surveys, prehistoric humans lived in this region.Location: Vietnam
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Iguazu Falls (also known as Iguaçu Falls) are located in South America, between Argentina and Brazil.
This destination can be visited all year, but the best time to visit Iguazu Falls is between May and September when it is cooler and there are fewer tourists. The high season is generally between December and February, so expect very hot days and a lot of tourists during this time. The Iguazu Falls National Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the Argentina side and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Brazil side.
Both sides of the falls provide a unique perspective of this natural wonder of the world, so you should spend at least two days fully enjoying your visit to Iguazu Falls.
The Argentina side has several walking trails to various viewpoints, a boat ride along the Iguazu River to the base of the falls, and a train ride to the top of the falls, all of which take a full day to complete.
On the Brazilian side, there is a shuttle bus service from the entrance gate that takes you much closer to the falls, and there is only one walking trail that takes no longer than two hours to complete, including photo stops.Location: Between Argentina and Brazil