No
matter how advanced our cities and technology is, eventually we get
tired of all the noise, stress and crowd of the city and want to be in
the nature.
Humans have transformed Earth beyond recovery, but luckily not
everything is lost yet. Beautiful mountains, blue water lakes,
magnificent oceans with fabulous islands – our planet has many
breathtaking places and awe-inspiring sceneries just waiting for you to
discover them.
However, life is short, and the funds are limited, so we have to
narrow down the selection. Knowing that you are just another lazy panda,
we’ve done it for you!
We’ve picked 41 most amazing places in the world, however it is said
that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, so you may as well have
your very own personal list of places to see before you die.
21. Bagan, Myanmar
Bamboos for:
Martin Sojka
Bagan is notable for its expanse of sacred geography, the number and
size of their individual ancient monuments. The ruins of Bagan cover an
area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the
11th to 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the
Myanmar dynasty. Bagan is also the first place to have transformed into a
religious and cultural centre, by Shin Arahan who brought Theravada
Buddhism to this land. Bagan is full of ancient architectural designs,
mural paintings, precious frescoes and stone inscriptions to see for
yourself, and also it is the centre for the manufacturing of lacquerware
products in Myanmar. Hence it is marked as a cultural heritage of the
Myanmar People, and also a landmark full of ancient pagodas and
monuments which can be rarely encountered today. Bagan is one of the
major historical landmarks of Asia and represents the outstanding
achievement of Theravada Buddhism. Most of the site were damaged by the
1975 earthquake and cooperation with UNESCO projects help some
experimental conservation work, restoration of mural paintings and
maintaining some of the rare monuments.
[1]
22. Salar De Yuyni, Bolivia
Bamboos for:
Tomas Rawski |
szeke |
jo vh |
kk+
Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) is the world’s largest salt flat
at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Potosí
and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes,
and is elevated 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above the mean sea level.[1]
The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several
prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which
has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations
within one meter over the entire area of the Salar.
[2]
23. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Bamboos for:
chii :3 |
Andrew Hux |
fra.ps
Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, and is the most
beautiful tourist destination of Vietnam. Halong Bay features more than
one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and
shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach. Its waters are host
to a great diversity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs,
freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, and
sandy beaches. The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from
heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a
natural fortress against invaders; these precious stones are represented
by the lush green outcrops. Several islands boast beautiful grottos and
caves with contiguous chambers, hidden ponds and peculiar stone
formations.
[3]
24. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Bamboos for:
Stuck in Customs |
lecercle |
Captain Kimo – “Back in Florida” ,
A_E_P
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built by King
Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital
city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to
have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation –
first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is
at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has
become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is
the country’s prime attraction for visitors.
[4]
25. Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
Bamboos for:
Miriam Cardoso de Souza – ‘ VISÃO PHOTO & CINE CL |
ewanr |
SF Brit
Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a
horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls
are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack
in the earth. During the rainy season of November – March, the rate of
flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750
cubic m) per second.
[5]
26. Twelve Apostles, Australia
Bamboos for:
emmettanderson
Witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent
rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on
Victoria’s dramatic coastline. Created by constant erosion of the
limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10-20 million years ago, the
stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer
limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.The caves eventually became
arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were
left isolated from the shore.
[6]
27. Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Bamboos for:
tychay |
Christopher Chan |
*~Dawn~*
Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the
United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly
1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient
giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
[7]
28. Meteora, Greece
Bamboos for:
bogdan. |
homas Depenbusch und Marina Depenbusch-Zharova |
- peperoni -
Meteora is an area in Thessaly (Central Greece) and Kalampaka is the
city underthe rock towers of Meteora. The thing that makes Meteora so
special isthe monasteries on the top of the rock towers. The
monasteries,the amound of peaks to climb and the paths for hikingbrings
in Meteora the whole year many tourists.
[8]
29. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Bamboos for:
Piero… |
Andres_age |
rsepulveda |
dirkoneill
The Perito Moreno Glacier is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares
National Park in the south west of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It is
one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine
Patagonia. The 250 km2 (97 sq mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in
length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
located in the Andes system shared with Chile. This icefield is the
world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.
[9]
30. Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
Bamboos for:
Moyan_Brenn |
Paul Fundenburg
The sky never seems so blue as when viewed through the window of a
Claron sandstone pinnacle in Bryce Canyon National Park. Although it is
the smallest of Utah’s national parks at 35,835 acres, Bryce Canyon
contains an outsized number of some of the most beautiful, unlikely rock
formations on earth. This Dr. Seussian landscape of towering spires,
fins, arches, and mazes is fodder for the imagination and a delight to
the eyes.
[10]
31. Seychelles
Bamboos for:
dibaer |
rachel_thecat |
seychelles.travel
Mother Nature was very generous with these 115 islands scattered in
the Indian Ocean and has spoiled them rotten. Undeniably, the beaches
are the big attraction, and what beaches: exquisite ribbons of white
sand lapped by topaz waters and backed by lush hills and big glacis
boulders. With such a dreamlike setting, the Seychelles is,
unsurprisingly, a choice place for a honeymoon.
[11]
32. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Bamboos for:
modenadude |
WanderingtheWorld (www.LostManProject.com)
The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous monuments of ancient Egypt.
These massive stone structures were built around 4500 years ago on a
rocky desert plateau close to the Nile. But the intriguing Egyptian
pyramids were more than just tombs for kings. The mysteries surrounding
their symbolism, design and purpose have inspired passionate debate. It
is likely that many of these mysteries will never be solved…
[12]
33. Azores
Bamboos for:
Patxi64 |
eduardowallenstein |
F H Mira |
joeri-c
The Azores are nine different islands of adventure, nine delightful
surprises. You can see dolphins and whales frolicking in the sea or
volcanic landscapes covered in green. Then there are the stunning,
lilac-coloured hydrangeas that provide hedges for the meadows; the blue
and green lakes; the craters of extinct volcanoes and the steam rising
from the land. The volcanic activity here means that you can even have
your meal cooked under the ground!Inland you can go mountain climbing
and walking through the countryside. Or you can stick to the coast and
go diving and swimming.
[13]
34. Positano, Italy
Bamboos for:
thapgood |
AlaskaGM |
Italy Travel Experience
Positano is one of the highlights to visit when you come to Italy.
With all its chic hotels, apartments and fancy restaurants it’s managed
to maintain its traditional character. The stunning coastline from Capo
di Sorrento to Positano is an adventure on itself. Not many people know
that Positano is originally not a fishermans village, but a mountain
village. During the 14th and 15th century the little villages along the
Amalfi Coast acted as an independent country. To protect themselves they
built their houses and churches high on and inside the mountain
rocks.Between the 16th century and the beginning of the 19th century the
Italian people, forgot this beautiful village and in place, the
intellectuals and artists rediscovered the magic of Positano. Now
Positano is one of Italy’s most exclusive resorts, attracting
celebrities, artists, musicians and writers for many decades.
[14]
35. Tanah Lot, Bali
Bamboos for:
fabiogis50 |
mikaku |
Christopher Chan
Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is
located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the
Tabanan Regency. The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction,
is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples
in the worship of Balinese gods. Tanah Lot has a long history in the
world of tourism. The temple itself is built on a small promontory which
is only accessible at low tide. During high water the rock takes on the
appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape. Poisonous snakes
live in the nearby caves to ‘guard’ the temple and contribute to the
temple’s dangerous reputation.
[15]
36. Palawan Island, Philippines
Bamboos for:
mr.Alexander |
Storm Crypt
Palawan has been included in the list of protected areas, thus
becoming the biggest nature reserve in the world. Aside from snorkeling
and swimming, Palawan Islands Philippines provides viable opportunities
for underwater exploration. With all these attractions, you are sure to
find yourself breathless with your Palawan vacation with all the
nature’s beauty found in Palawan Island. Palawan is indeed a nature’s
heaven place to visit.
[16]
37. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Bamboos for:
Inti
Angel Falls is a waterfall in Venezuela. It is the world’s highest
waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m
(2,648 ft). Angel Falls is one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions,
though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair. The falls are
located in an isolated jungle, and a flight from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad
Bolívar is required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river
trips to the base of the falls. River trips generally take place from
June to December, when the rivers are deep enough for the wooden
curiaras used by the Pemon guides. During the dry season (December to
March) there is less water seen than in the other months (this can be
clearly seen in the photos of the falls above).
[17]
38. Tianzi Mountains, China
Bamboos for:
Richard J… |
john0philip |
whertha |
mke1963 |
Salander,
lacitadelle
Hundreds of waters and thousands of peaks are in the Tianzi
Mountains. What an uncanny work of art by Nature. The highest peak of
the mountains is 1262.5 meters above sea level. Around it is rolling
ridges and peaks and high picturesque rocks. On the top of the
mountains, one can have a bird ‘ s eye view of numberless inter winding
hills and deep valleys of the Wulingyuan area as well as downpouring
waterfalls and lofty old pines in drifting mists and clouds. There are
different sights when seasons and weather change, Sometimes it is fine
with blue sky, which gives one a sense of strength and vastness.
Sometimes it is full or clouds and mists, which gives one a sense of
mystery of if in fairyland.
[18]
39. Uluru, Australia
Bamboos for:
Franco Caruzzo |
TheCreativePenn
Ayers Rock/ Uluru, the world’s largest monolith and an Aboriginal
sacred site is Australia’s most famous natural landmark. Visitors may
wish to make the tough 1.6km ascent to the top or take a walking tour
around the rock with an aboriginal guide , learning about its
fascinating history with the Uluru people and its importance in
dreamtime legend.
[19]
40. Hamilton Pool, Texas, USA
Bamboos for:
Knowsphotos |
DaveWilsonPhotography |
mlhradio |
Jim Nix / Nomadic Pursuits |
Soul_Smiling
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole which was
designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in 1990.
Located 3/4 mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales
River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a
50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon.
The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow
to a trickle. However, the pool’s water level stays pretty constant,
even during periods of drought.
[20]
41. Hey, wait, there’s only 40 places here! Which place will you suggest to be the 41st?
