Coolest places. Tianzi Mountains, China

Our immense planet is full of places of inexpressible beauty, for acquaintance with which sometimes a lifetime is not enough. In order to cover all the amazing earthly beauty, this selection has been compiled, where the most Beautiful places the world, located in different parts of our world. Here there was a place for natural attractions, and man-made objects, and famous resorts, and extreme attractions. Rough waterfalls, majestic forests, pristine water bodies, dizzying mountain views, distinctive ancient settlements, ancient castles, mysterious valleys - all this and much more is worth seeing with your own eyes at least once in your life.

1. Yosemite Valley, USA

The top of the most beautiful places reveals truly heavenly place on earth - the most picturesque valley of glacial origin in the state of California. The mountainous terrain of the valley is decorated with an abundance of crystal waterfalls, pristine lakes and lush vegetation. For tourists on the vast territory of the valley there are a lot of hotels, campgrounds and other benefits of civilization.

2. Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia, ​​China

The Geological Park in China's Gansu province is known for an unusual natural treasure - colorful rock formations of multi-colored sandstone rocks and conglomerates, mostly dating back to the Cretaceous period. About a hundred million years ago, there was a natural pool in the place of the mountains, which later dried up, and its sediment oxidized, taking on an unusually beautiful motley color.

3. Bamboo forest, Japan

In the heart of Kyoto's urban landscapes lies a picturesque corner of nature - a dense bamboo grove, consisting of countless bamboo trees. The imposing square has a lot to roam, so the forest has become a favorite resting place for townspeople and visitors. At night, the park is illuminated by hundreds of small lanterns and bewitches with its fabulous view.

4. Monastery complex Meteora, Greece

Unique monasteries literally grow out of the rock, crowning the tops of the cliffs. The rocks themselves are part of the ancient mountain system of Thessaly, located in the historical region of Greece. About 60 million years ago, the sea was located on the site of the rocks, and today Meteora is one of the most valuable and sacred historical sites, from the point of view of the Christian religion.

5. Salar de Uni, Bolivia

In the south of the high-mountainous desert, on the Altipano plateau, there was once a salt lake. Later it dried up, exposing the salty bottom. The thickness of the salt layer is from 2 to 8 meters, and during the rainy season, when the surface of this layer is covered with a layer of water, the Yuni salt marsh becomes like a giant mirror: the surface of the lake merges with the blue sky, and the surrounding landscapes acquire a truly unearthly beauty.

6. Tianji Mountains, China

Wondering what is the most beautiful place on earth, many travelers make a choice in favor of one of the natural parks of China - Zhangjiajie. There are soaring mountains on its territory. It was these landscapes that became the prototype of the landscapes in the world famous painting "Avatar". Mist-blown mountain peaks against the backdrop of a green abyss make a truly stunning impression.

7. Ancient city of Petra, Jordan

One of the seven new wonders of the world is located in Jordan - this is the oldest city of Petra, whose history goes back almost three millennia. The city, the name of which comes from the word "rock", is indeed entirely hewn out of the rock. Numerous temples, colonnades, tombs, baths and much more are skillfully carved into the rock - there are more than eight hundred historical monuments in total.

8. Tunnel of love, Ukraine

A beautiful green corner in the Ukrainian village of Klevan has become popular place romantic walks and photo shoots more recently. The green tunnel, “entwined” on all sides with rich vegetation, was created not by some master designer, but by nature itself and by an ordinary train that passes the rails laid here three times a day and transports timber, making its way through the thick of greenery.

The Valley of a Thousand Pagodas is one of Myanmar's famous historical landmarks. On an area of ​​only about 4 sq. kilometers are thousands of Buddhist, and not only, temples. This is an invaluable archaeological site with thousands of centuries-old historical structures, many of which are richly decorated with gold and other precious materials.

10. Kawachi Garden Fuji, Japan

Not far from Tokyo, there is an extraordinary fairy-tale garden, immersed in millions of flowers of all shades of the rainbow. These are flowers common in Japan - wisteria, which hang like lianas-garlands from specially constructed frames. Stunning waterfalls of flowers flow from above, forming a multi-colored fragrant tunnel. In addition to wisterias, in the garden you can find a lot of other, bright, but more familiar colors.

11. Li River, China

The cleanest waterway in China, the Li River, is also famous for its beauty. Cruises are regularly organized along the waters of the river, and sailing along the calm surface of yellow-green waters, you can contemplate stunning landscapes - the silk ribbon of the river deftly winds among the green hills and spacious rice fields, creating an amazing, mysterious and mysterious landscape.

12. Santorini Island, Greece

The romantic island in the Aegean Sea is a real archaeological find, steeped in legends. Everyone who comes to the island will find something to their liking: those who are interested in archeology can visit numerous excavations, history lovers - look into museums and ancient temples, and fans of outdoor activities will find in the coastal waters great places for diving.

13. Inca City Machu Picchu, Peru

The most beautiful places on earth complements ancient city Inca, lost in high mountains Peru and shrouded in clouds. The entire city consists of several hundred structures, arranged in a clearly structured order. The inaccessibility of the city, located among the high cliffs, is even more mesmerizing, its mystery attracts millions of tourists every year.

14. Sea cave in the Algarve, Portugal

One of the most expressive natural creations is located near the popular Portuguese beach Praia de Benagil. The amazingly shaped cave was formed as a result of natural processes - the impact on the rocky rock of water and wind. Regularly, on the azure sea waters cruises are organized in the cave by boats, boats or rowing mini-boats - kayaks.

15. Grand Canyon, USA

The most beautiful places in the world are continued by the deepest Grand Canyon, the views of which are stunning at first sight. Along its reddish rocky walls, as it deepens downward, there is a gradual change climatic zones, and significant changes in temperature and humidity are created. The Colorado River flows along the very bottom of the gorge, which for millions of years has made its way in the rocky rock.

16. Monument Valley, USA

Monument Valley has become one of the national symbols of the United States. As you move through the monotonous landscapes of the lifeless desert, the fantastic outlines of rocky formations on the horizon that have arisen are vivid impressions. It seems as if you are transported to an ancient country, and the red-yellow rocks suddenly turn into ancient castles, temples and stone sculptures.

17. Rice Terraces in Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam

Inhabitants of the northern province of Vietnam have actually accomplished the impossible by setting up rice terraces right on the steep slopes of numerous hills. Rice-sowing “rapids” created by the residents create a horizontal plane while trapping water from the peaks down the slopes. The formed curves of the terraces do not violate the harmony of natural landscapes in the least and are even a kind of decoration for them.

Castles are not only built by architects - sometimes nature itself does this job better. A prime example is the cotton castle of Pamukkale. The combination of snow-white salt formations and the azure of the purest thermal waters that fill the salt baths create stunning views. In addition to admiring the beauty of these places, here you can significantly improve your health by plunging into one of the warm thermal pools.

19. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The largest and most beautiful coral reef is located in the Pacific waters on the Australian coast. The structure of the reef is formed by billions of tiny microorganisms that have created the world's largest coral ecosystem. Against the background of a photo of the most beautiful places in the world, a photo of a coral reef stands out for its brightness, originality and an amazing riot of colors.

20. Cinque Terre, Italy

In the Italian region of Liguria, there is one place with amazing views of the sea and mountain landscapes. This is the Cinque Terre Park - a green area that stretches along the rocky coast and includes five coastal settlements that appeared on this territory during the era of the Roman Empire. Among the architectural monuments of the region - medieval palaces, sanctuaries and old mansions.

21. Venice, Italy

Not only beautiful, but also one of the most romantic places on earth is located in Italy, on the Adriatic coast. World famous Venice is a corner of magnificent ancient architecture, an atmosphere of freedom and eternal celebration. And the incessant splash of water flowing through the channels that cut through the entire city makes this place recognizable among thousands of other places on the planet.

22. Plitvice Lakes National Park of Croatia

Another of the paradise natural corners of the planet is located in Croatia. Plitvice Lakes is a magical natural creation, which the Croats themselves call the eighth wonder of the world. Lakes, located at different levels in height, flow into one another and create unique water cascades, stunning in their views. In total, there are 16 such lakes in the area of ​​the national park.

23. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

In the Bavarian Alps, on a hill, right above a deep mysterious gorge, an unusually light structure rises, as if floating in the air. It reminds fairytale castle, as if descended from the pages of a romantic fairy tale about princesses, knights and brave deeds. Unusually beautiful castle Neuschwanstein is surrounded by equally beautiful surrounding landscapes - impregnable mountain peaks and crystal lakes.

24. Navagio Bay, Greece

V clean waters The small Greek island of Zakynthos is located in the Ionian Sea. Green pines, emerald waters, blue skies, golden sands - all this attracts streams of tourists and vacationers here. It is here that one of the most beautiful bays in the world is located, which is famous not only for its beauty, but also for the wrecked smuggling ship, which was thrown ashore by the strongest storm back in 1982.

25. Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia

The most beautiful places of nature are organically complemented by a pearl of paradise in the Pacific Ocean - the island of Bora Bora. This island has long been chosen by newlyweds and couples in love - a small microcosm of emerald clear lagoons, fancy flowers and bright tropical birds, remote from civilization, creates an ideal atmosphere of romance and comfort. Plus, it offers the perfect service for a relaxing stay.

On the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia in Africa, you can see one incredible natural phenomenon - the waters of the Zambezi River with a colossal wide stream, with a roar fall into the gorge, and then rush into a narrow crevice, creating clouds of the smallest water spray. Victoria Falls is not the highest, but undoubtedly, in terms of beauty and grandeur, it has no equal in the world.

27. Provence, France

One of the coziest and most beautiful French provinces is located on the Mediterranean coast, right at the foot of the Alps. This fabulous place generously endows with its warmth, beckons with an abundance of vineyards, olive groves, sunflower fields, heather, and of course, delicate lilac lavender, which has become a kind business card of this region.

28. Moraine Glacial Lake, Canada

In the Banff Natural Park, in the so-called Valley of 10 mountain peaks, there is a mysterious and fascinating body of water - the glacial Moraine Lake, whose waters do not freeze even in severe frosts. Landscapes of unreal beauty - majestic fir trees, relief slopes of mountains - frame the lake, reflecting in the smooth surface of its crystal azure waters.

The Netherlands are world famous for their flowers, and tulips have become their wonderful symbol. Hundreds of thousands of travelers annually take a walk to the multi-colored blooming fields to admire this riot of colors and floral splendor. From a distance, such fields seem to be divided into even variegated stripes - all this splendor is created by tulips that bloom in spring.

30. Geirangerfjord, Norway

Norway is known for its fjords - giant mountain corridors that fill sea ​​water... One of Norway's most famous fjords is the Geiranger Fjord, whose serene waters reflect overhanging cliffs and lush forest greenery. Small villages, townships and farms are comfortably located along its banks, and in some places streams of waterfalls rush down from the rocks into the abyss.

31. Great Blue Hole, Belize

A large sinkhole of karst origin is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast in Central America. Its depth reaches 120 meters, and the ideally round shape of its edges is best observed from a height - for example, from a helicopter, from where all the beauty of this natural phenomenon... According to one version, the funnel is a collapsed limestone cave.

32. Vatnajökull Glacier Caves, Iceland

Iceland, the cold kingdom of snow and ice, is also home to some of the most beautiful places on the planet, one of which is ice caves. Getting into their depths, it is as if you find yourself in a fairy kingdom of cold: everywhere there are ice walls through which light streams, refracting at different angles. The process of the formation of caves is due to the movement of melt water, which forms bizarre cavities inside the glacier.

33. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Egyptian pyramids are the only surviving ancient wonders of the world: several pyramids at Giza, guarded by the Great Sphinx, are part of ancient necropolis, which to this day is the object of close attention of archaeologists. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs are buried in the largest pyramids, their wives, as well as priests and officials are buried in smaller structures.

34. Gasadalur village, Faroe Islands

This settlement with its pristine nature is located on the western side of one of the Faroe Islands in the Kingdom of Denmark. Small, like toy houses of the village are located above the cliff, from which a waterfall rushes directly into the ocean. This quiet and cozy place is a true paradise for those who love a combination beautiful nature, peace and quiet.

35. Antelope Canyon, USA

A unique creation of nature and an iconic landmark of the state of Arizona in the USA - Antelope Canyon, mystical place in the form of long crevices in red-yellow sandstone rocks. Amazing views inside the canyon open up at rare moments when the sun is at its zenith and its rays fall into the crevice, and then the gorge begins to play with new, unusual colors.

36. Iguazu Falls, Argentina, Brazil

A colossal complex of stormy waterfalls formed at the intersection of the Iguazu and Parana rivers. The cascade is formed by about three hundred small waterfalls. On the opposite side of the crevice, into which the water falls, there is an observation deck, from where you can observe a stunning spectacle: a huge mass of water, forming myriads of water splashes, sparkling and overflowing in the sun, crashes down with a roar.

37. Batu Caves, Malaysia

One of the most revered Indian shrines and a real miracle of nature is the Batu Caves. The caves are already about 400 million years old - once upon a time there were rocks in their place, in which cavities were washed out over time as a result of the action of water. This is how several long caves were formed, walking through which you can see the amazing formations of stalactites or visit a cave temple.

38. McWay Falls, USA

The best places the world continues one of the most unusual waterfalls in the world that is in American state California. McWay Falls is considered an eternally living waterfall, because it never dries up, and its waters fall from a cliff right into a picturesque bay. And the vegetation itself, surrounding the waterfall, always remains green - the secret is that the trees in this area are fed by the waters of an underground river.

39. Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is called the heart of Turkey - this historical region is located in the very heart of the country. Once here, you can feel like a guest of another planet - the local landscapes are so unusual: there are also snow-capped peaks extinct volcanoes, and low mountains, as well as Cappadocia for some time now has become a popular destination for excursion flights on large balloons.

40. Mount Roraima - located on the border of three countries: Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana

V South America there are ancient formations of rocks - unusual mountains with flat, seemingly truncated tops. The highest of these mountains is located at the junction of three South American states, and the area of ​​its top is impressive in its size - about 34 square meters. km. About a fifth of this area is occupied by reservoirs, which, falling down from the mountain, give life to the Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco rivers.

41. James Bond Island, Thailand

One of the "star" sights of Thailand, Tapu Island, gained fame thanks to the famous film back in 1974. Since then, the small island has become the starting point for active tourist development in Phuket. This area captivates with its beauty: against the background of emerald sea waters rises a limestone rock covered with greenery. Boat excursions are organized regularly from Phuket to Tapu Island.

42. Trolltunga, Norway

Sometimes the most beautiful places in the world, their photos with names have been conquered from the moment they first met them in absentia. A striking example of this is Norway's mesmerizing natural landmark - the Trolltongue rock. The dream of almost every traveler here is to take a photo from the top of that very rock, namely from its ledge, from where dizzying views of the mountain landscapes and the azure calm waters of the Hardangerfjord open.

43. Giant temple complex Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The world's largest religious building, erected in the 10-12 centuries in Cambodia, was dedicated to the supreme Hindu deity Vishnu. Angkor Wat is a gigantic 3-level complex of temples that has kept the secrets and legends of the capital of the Khmer Empire for about a millennium. The height of the complex, built of sandstone, is 65 meters, and on its colossal area of ​​2.5 square kilometers there are magnificent towers, terraces, galleries and gardens.

44. Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

The fantastic landscapes of the Brazilian Natural Park of Lencois Maranhenses make a lasting impression. The vast territory of the park with white sand dunes is occupied by small turquoise lakes that create a magnificent contrast of colors. In spite of desert views Lencois Maranhenses is not actually a desert - it rains regularly, which fill the spaces between the sandy hills with water.

45. Valley of Geysers, Russia

In Kamchatka, in the Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve, there is one of the most interesting geyser fields. In fact, the valley is a volcanic canyon, on the territory of which several dozen gushing hot springs are concentrated. This whole area resembles a seething cauldron - everything here spills over, hisses and boils, steam streams break out and hot thermal water pulsates.

So where is the most beautiful place? The answer to this question still cannot be unambiguous, but the rating of the most beautiful places in the world will certainly become a useful help for the traveler in choosing the most impressive sights of our planet.

Plitvice Lakes National Park was founded in 1949. It is the largest national park in Croatia and also the oldest park in Southeast Europe. More than a million visitors flock here to admire the beauty of the park. There are many waterfalls, caves and lakes here. The area is home to over 100 bird species. Most of the park is made up of beech and fir. The park is incredibly beautiful in winter, when the waterfalls freeze and everything is covered with white snow.

Fingal's Cave, Scotland

Named after a hero from an 18th century epic poem, Fingal's Cave has numerous geometric columns reminiscent of Giant's Causeway in Ireland. The cave is formed from hexagonally connected basalt columns created by solidified lava. This sea cave is located on Staffa Island, which is part of Scotland. A high arched roof enhances the sound of the ocean. Although even small boats cannot enter the cave, many local companies offer excursions around the area.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

The bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea. It includes over 3000 islands, as well as rocks, caves and cliffs, making it one of the most extraordinary places in the world. The bay is an extraordinary example of limestone erosion. The name Halong means "where the dragon descended into the sea." Due to its vertical nature, the archipelago is sparsely populated. Most of the islands are negligible, however, the largest have their own inland lakes. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Red Beach, Panjin, China

This place is perhaps far from the traditional understanding of the beach. Instead of endless sandy expanses, we see algae called sueda. Most of the year, these algae are green, however, with the onset of autumn they take on a dark, cherry red color. Besides its quirky coloring, Red Beach is home to over 260 bird and 399 animal species. This makes it one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. It is also the largest swamp and wetland on earth.

Trail of the Giants, Northern Ireland

Located next to Atlantic Ocean, The Causeway of the Giants or the Trail of the Giants, as it is also called, is one of the strangest natural wonders. It has about 40,000 columns, most of which have six edges. These columns look remarkably like a honeycomb. It took almost 60 million years to create this place of cooled magma. Scientists believe that it took its final form about 15,000 years ago after the last ice age.

Thermal springs, Pamukkale, Turkey

Take a trip across the Aegean Sea and near the Menderes River you will find wonderful thermal springs. For centuries, people have bathed in these hot, mineral-rich waters. Pools and frozen waterfalls form multi-level cliffs. In spring, the water is rich in calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. The flow in Pamukkale occurs at a speed of 400 liters per second and this flow is constantly forming new small round pools.

Hvitserkur, Iceland

Some believe that this rock has the appearance of a dinosaur, others say that it is a dragon, and still others say that it is a monster. In any case, this natural formation is of human interest. Every year thousands of people come to the north of the Watnsne Peninsula to see this "dinosaur at the watering hole". The rock has three holes and was reinforced with concrete to prevent further erosion. Even in photographs, viewers can see the bird droppings that gave the rock its name. Translated from Icelandic, the word Hvitserkur means a white shirt.

Antelope Canyon, USA

This canyon is the most visited in the US Southwest. One glance at the sleek, orange-red walls enthralls people. Antelope Canyon was formed by a flash flood. Due to torrential rains, it changes its shape to this day. While scientists are not sure when people discovered this cave, however, local Navajo tribes claim that this surreal canyon has always been a part of their history.

The world is full of wonderful places, the beauty of which seems unreal. If you want to visit an unusual place, here is a list with photos of the 10 most amazing places in the world. You have to see them in order to believe that they actually exist.

Bridge of Giants, Northern Ireland

60 million years ago, a volcano erupted here, which ejected a huge amount of hot basalt. Cooling down, it formed the bizarre shapes that can be seen today on the northern coast of Ireland. The Giant's Causeway is 37,000 almost perfectly shaped columns around which many legends are woven. One of them says that giants walked here, having built a pavement for themselves.

Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale or "Cotton Palace" is located in the south-west of Turkey and fascinates at first sight. The tour includes a visit to the ancient ruins of Hierapolis and the ancient city built around. And one more thing: nothing beats the local sunset, when the water flows smoothly over the white travertine terraces, wrapped in the pink shades of the last rays of the sun.

Socotra Island, Yemen

This isolated island has a unique and spectacular biodiversity. The most interesting and unique species among which are: Cucumber tree, Giant Dorstenia, Desert Rose and Dragon tree, with their twisted trunks.

Tianzi Mountains, China

These oddly shaped limestone mountains can be seen in the northeast of Hunan province. They are covered with rich vegetation and are constantly hidden in the fog. The funicular will take curious tourists to the village of Huangshi, from where you can explore these amazing mountains, the name of which translates as "son of Heaven", along hiking trails.

Spotted Lake, Canada

Protected by Okanagan culture, this lake is known for at least its quaint landscape. In summer, the lake's water evaporates, leaving quaint miniature pools of various colors. Interestingly, the water in the lake is saturated with the world's largest concentration of magnesium sulfate, calcium and sodium, as well as silver and titanium. To fully admire it, you need to go to Highway 3, which is near the city of Osoyus, in Canada, near the border with the United States.

Thor's Well, USA

Thor's Well is an amazing creation of nature located at Cape Perpetua in the US state of Oregon. When the tide begins, the water that flows into it creates a magical landscape. This fascinating natural phenomenon can be seen from the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area visitor center.

Lake Hillier, Australia

The fourth place in the rating is occupied by Lake Hillier, which is located on the Middle Island in southwestern Australia. It is noteworthy that the water in the lake has a dark pink color all year round and does not change even when taken into a separate container. Scientists argue that the reason is the incredible salinity of the water and the presence of the unique alga Dunaliella brackish and other bacteria. In any case, one thing catches the eye: an unusual, even fantastic, landscape.

Hand in the desert, Chile

Chocolate Hills, Philippines

Chocolate Hills - from 1268 to 1776 conical hills 30-100 m high, scattered over an area of ​​50 square kilometers on the island of Bohol. They are covered with green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, when the leaves dry up and fall, hence their name.

Fly Geyser, USA

Fly Geyser was accidentally created in 1916 when a well was drilled, accidentally hitting a geothermal pocket. However, it was not until 1964 that water began to penetrate the surface. Today, the geyser constantly spews three water jets of amazing shades per meter and a half in height, increasing by several centimeters annually.

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Our blue planet is unique. Truly unique things are born by nature, and amazing sights are created by atmospheric phenomena and elements (winds, streams of water). There are all kinds of lists and ratings that list the most beautiful places in the world. Watch, read and enjoy our top of the most amazing wonders!

Arizona wave

The striking Navajo sandstone formation is located in the United States, on the border of two states - Arizona and Utah. The unique creation is about 190 years old. Wavy lines have been born for centuries by overlapping separate layers. Wind and other atmospheric phenomena completed the incredible landscape.

Getting into the Wave is not so easy. The owner limits the number of visits to 20 per day, because sandstone is a very fragile material and crowds of tourists will trample it in a day.

To become one of those lucky ones who can see it with their own eyes, you need to take part in the lottery. The first ten visitors are drawn 4 months before the excursion, the second ten - the day before the visit. By the way, Australia has its own "wave" - ​​a similar creation, but consisting of granite.

Beach with caves near the Algarve (Portugal)

The sea grottoes at Praia da Rocha near the Portuguese city were born naturally. Wind and raging waves cut the rocks, creating grandiose sculptures, grottoes, caves and figured pillars.

Rice-growing sites in Guangxi Province, China, look like a masterpiece of landscape design or painted batik. In fact, these lines and colors carry deep oriental wisdom. They began to be built during the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. Examining rice terraces from special viewing platforms, a ticket for which costs about 250 rubles. with Russian money (50 yuan).
The terraces are wisely planned and weather-sensitive. Each step is irrigated in the required amount and illuminated by the sun in such doses as needed. This complex ecosystem provides itself: in the spring, spring water, saturated with microelements, flows down from the mountains, which irrigates the terraces with high quality. This gives the earth strength for the whole summer. At this time, the areas flooded with water under the rays of the sun become like sparkling wriggling ribbons.

An enchanting, slender forest is to the west Japanese city Kyoto. Tens of thousands of slender bamboo-masts sway slightly in the wind, touching smooth trunks and subtly ringing. This place is located next to the famous Zen Buddhist temple of Tenryu-ji.
Visitors say that the melodic chime of bamboo trunks has a pacifying effect on a person and promotes spiritual enlightenment. The Japanese government has introduced the sounds of slender stems to the main attractions of their country.

Island of Happiness - Socotra

This is how the name of one of the most amazing islands is translated. Indian Ocean... Socotra lies in the northwestern part of the ocean in the state of Yemen. Due to its isolation, rare representatives of flora and fauna that are not found anywhere else have survived and live on it. In a small area - 143 km long and 40 km wide - amazing things fit. Peaked stone ridges adjoin white beaches, and desert plains - with oases of generous and luscious greenery. Here flowers of an unprecedented riot of colors paint a futuristic landscape, and thick baobabs stand like silent guards.
90% of reptiles, as well as molluscs and a third of plants are endemic, that is, species that are found only on this island. Socotra is home to 800 species of various plants. Scientists are inclined to believe that most of them trace their ancestry to the ancient flora, which disappeared forever in ancient times. These include:

• Cucumber tree;
• Dragon tree, in which, according to legend, the blood of ancient dragons flows;
• Dorstenia is giant;
• Desert rose (similar to a swollen elephant's leg with a delicate flower on top).

Bohol Island's Chocolate Hills (Philippines)

They go there to marvel at the natural formation - rounded, almost identical hills, of which there are 1268 pieces on an area of ​​50 km². How these hills arose is not known for certain, the most plausible version is that these coral colonies bulged out due to some geological processes under the island.


The hills at the time of the autumn wilting of the grass on them acquire an extremely pleasant look of truffle candies, and in summer they turn bright green under the Philippine sun.

Only on this island live the smallest monkeys in the world - cute as toys, tarsiers (below in the photo). Their height is less than the palm of a person.

Wulingyuan: the soaring mountains of Pandora

Fans of the famous blockbuster will immediately understand what is at stake. These unusual "fingers" are called "Avatar mountains." Huge columns of quartz sandstone, covered at the top with dense rainforest, are located in the province of Hunan (China). In fact, it is a vast nature reserve, a national park, founded in 1982. The whole area is well protected from destruction.
It is strictly forbidden to kindle fire in any form on the territory of the park, including a ban on smoking. Everything hiking trails lined with a special coating that protects the soil from erosion.

Director James Cameron is believed to have been inspired by the Wulingyuan Mountains to create Avatar.

Salar de Uyuni salt flat (Bolivia)

We already wrote about this mesmerizing place in the article about, nevertheless, the famous salt desert deserves a place in our arbitrary TOP-20 rating. This salt marsh, the largest in area, is covered with neat cones. The entire landscape has an alien appearance.
In the monsoons the surface dry lake covered with a thin layer of water that turns into huge mirror... It reflects the endless sky with clouds and mountains in the background, and then the landscape becomes completely unreal.

Hamilton Basin (USA)

An interesting ecosystem is located in the state of Texas near the city of Austin - a lake under the dome of a cave grotto. In ancient times, it was an underground river flowing through a karst cave, but nature has made its own adjustments. At some point, the vaults collapsed in one place, and the underground river saw the sun and sky for the first time.
The resulting chamber bay with a beach under the roof is very cubby... The water in the lake is deep blue. The "ceiling" of the grotto is dotted with centuries-old layers of soil and rocks, moss, limestone stalactites and climbing plants hang from the edges. Swallows made nests inside the dome. A waterfall rustles on the side.

Grand Canyon (USA)

One of the deepest and largest canyons in the world is located in the state of Arizona. In the depths, the river of the same name flows among high walls made of layers of shale, limestone and sandstone. The canyon is 446 km long and up to 1800 m deep.
65 million years ago, Colorado flowed across the plain, but then the plateau gradually began to rise. The angle of inclination of the river changed, the current accelerated, and the water began to erode the soil in its path. In the form in which we observe the canyon now, it is 6 million years old, and to this day soil erosion continues and the sinkhole deepens. The Grand Canyon is the most famous in the world, immortalized in dozens of American films.

Canaima National Park (Venezuela)

Located in the state of Bolivar on the east coast of the country. The entire area is strictly protected, since the reserve is included in the World Heritage List. An interesting fact is that it is here that you can see highest waterfall planets -. The Kerepakupai River rushes down from almost a kilometer height and falls into the jungle.


Angel falls down from a unique table mountain (979 m) and is called Devil's Mountain.

Tepuis are table-shaped with a flat top and straight walls.

Valley of Flowers (India)

The incredible beauty of the meadows can be seen at the top of the Ganges River in the Western Himalayas. The overwhelming majority are endemics that grow only here. Alpine meadows with a length of 88 km² are under close scrutiny of scientists. The most beautiful flower meadows are surrounded by forests, mountains and waterfalls. The locals are sure that fairies lived in the valley.

Danakil Desert and Dallol Volcano (Ethiopia)

One of the most incredible, beautiful and mysterious places... A photo of these bright and abstract landscapes evokes thoughts of extraterrestrial worlds. The locals believe that here, on the plain, is the gateway to Hell through the Dallol Vent. The tribe of Tribes does not allow scientists to explore their volcano so as not to disturb the demons inside it.

"Pulpit" (Norway)

We have already mentioned the most famous Norwegian rock in the article about. This work of nature with a top flat like a table also earns a spot in our top 20. Photos of "Chairs ..." walk on the net in huge numbers, "the folk trail will not overgrow on it," because the view of the fjords is stunning.
The cliff hangs over the Lysefjord at 604 m. The width of the upper platform is 25x25 m. To get there, you will have to walk 6 km along rocky paths. On average, the climb takes 2 hours, but the most exciting sight in the world awaits as a reward! Impenetrable huge rocks rise in all directions, and somewhere far below the mirror of the Lysefjord turns black.

Crystal River (Columbia)

“The river born of the rainbow”, “The river that escaped from paradise” ... Many names were given by the Colombians to their pride - Kanye Cristales, which flows in the north of the country.
As you can see from the photo, its waters are painted in the brightest colors in the world. And this is not a chemical waste discharged into a pond, this is the most natural algae blooming so violently. This splendor can be seen in the autumn months, when numerous marine organisms begin to bloom, each in their own color.

Pamukkale (Turkey)

Pamukkale in translation from Turkish sounds like "cotton castle". The locals gave this name to an unusual plateau located in the very center of the country. In fact, these are travertine terraces - a polycrystalline rock. For centuries, thermal springs were created by streams of mineralized water, which, flowing down the slopes, did not have time to reach the bottom of the mountain and evaporated under the hot rays.
Now the resort is in high demand, because here you can not only be treated with mineral baths, but also wander around the azure pools, beautiful snow-white terraces, admiring the idea and fantasy of Mother Nature.

Denxia Colored Mountains (China)

Another bright "explosion" is in the Chinese province of Gansu. The boundlessly beautiful red-orange mountains with blue and green stripes attract many tourists here. Denxia got its killer color from a variety of sedimentary rocks and thanks to a large dissemination of red sandstone and centuries of soil erosion.

Scientists believe that the mountains got their color back in the Mesozoic era, and inside the rock you can find the remains of extinct dinosaurs.

Li River (China)

Generally in this Asian country full of all kinds of beauty, which is why she appears in several positions in our top 20. This time we want to show full of romanticism and gentleness, the Chinese Lijiang River - the muse of poets and artists.


Lijiang is one of the most beautiful, clean and picturesque rivers in Gualin province.

Here director John Curran filmed The Painted Veil.

Multnomah Falls (USA)

It is one of the top tourist destinations in Oregon. It crashes down into the Columbia River canyon. Multnomah Falls is one of the five largest waterfalls in North America, but it is in the first place in height among those that never freeze - 189 meters. It takes only 30 minutes to get to the site from Portland.

Machu Picchu: the unsolved mystery (Peru)

Remains ancient civilization the Incas are on the list of the New Seven Wonders. It translates as "old mountain". And the lost city lies on a flat area at an altitude of 2057 m. Until the beginning of the 20th century, no one suspected the existence of evidence of an ancient civilization on the territory of Peru.
Why did the Incas have to build their city so high in the mountains? This we will never know, all that remains is to wander through the old mossy stones and speculate.


One way or another, the lost and mysterious city of Machu Picchu closes the rating "The most beautiful places on earth" - the best twenty.

We suggest watching a video, which also shows places that are not included in the list. Is it possible to list all the unique corners of the planet? After all, she is all beautiful!

Millions of tourists visit the most interesting places in the world every year. What could be more tempting than taking a picture against the backdrop of unusual chinese rocks Danxia, ​​see with your own eyes the Gates of Hell, located in Turkmenistan, enjoy the cherry blossoms in Japanese park Hitachi, walk the streets of the abandoned town of Pripyat not far from Chernobyl?

10 most incredible corners of our planet:

1. The city of Machu Picchu.
2. Flower fields in Holland.
3. Danxia Geopark.
4. Lunar valley in Argentina.
5. Wulingyuan Mountains.
6. The Gates of Hell in the Karakum Desert.
7. Bobsleigh track in Sarajevo.
8. The ghost town of Pripyat.
9. Abandoned ship "Airfield".

Man-made wonders of the planet

In 1911, US archaeologist Hiram Bingham, while in Peru, accidentally discovered the ruins of a fortress city hidden in the Andes. Machu Picchu.

It is believed that the town was founded in the middle of the 15th century and for some time served as a residence for the ruler of the Inca Empire Pachacuteca, and after his death it turned into a place where children of the nobility were taught. Tourists are attracted by the unique architecture of Machu Picchu.

Located at an altitude of more than 2 km above sea level, the ancient city beckons travelers with unusual buildings made of polished rectangular stones. In total, it has preserved about 200 buildings, including several temples dedicated to the sun god Inti. Modern scientists were struck by the scale of the buildings, because in order to erect them, it was necessary to have the broadest knowledge in the field of engineering, geology, astronomy and other sciences, which mankind did not possess at that time. How the ancient Incas created the city remains a big mystery. Some researchers even seriously suggest that aliens took part in the construction of Machu Picchu.

Flower fields in Holland

The Netherlands is known in every corner of the world not only for its Red Light Street or the Marijuana Museum, but also for its picturesque tulip fields.

The fashion for growing these flowers dates back to the distant 16th century. It was then that the botanist Karl Clusius first planted in botanical garden Leiden several tulip bulbs.

The outlandish flowers quickly fell in love with the local population, and soon any noble Dutchman considered it an honor to grow them at home. Today tulips of all varieties and the most incredible shades grow on endless plantations located on the coast of the North Sea, as well as near Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Enkhuizen and Delft... You can admire the incredibly beautiful flower fields in the Netherlands from mid-April to the end of the first decade of May.

The most unusual gardens are found in Japan. To be convinced of this, it is enough to visit the Hitachi National Park, spread over as much as 120 hectares in the city of Hitatinaka on the island of Honshu.

Previously, a US military base was located in its place, but since 1973, the Japanese authorities have decided to sow endless territories with luxurious flowers, shrubs and trees. For 18 years, the park was landscaped, and in 1991 it was first opened to the public. At different times of the year, sakura, kochii, tulips, lilies and other plants bloom on huge plantations, turning Hitachi into a place of indescribable beauty.

Unusual creations of nature

In the Chinese province of Gansu, not far from the city of Zhangye, there is a unique Danxia Geopark. He became famous all over the world thanks to the unusual colored rocks.

It may seem to an inexperienced tourist that a person had a hand in their creation, but this is not so. Zhangye cliffs Danxia is a natural object, they were formed over 24 million years from deposits of red sandstone and other mineral rocks. Their unusual shapes, colors and patterns are the result of numerous weather disasters... Today, there is not a single landscape formation on the planet that even remotely resembles Danxia, ​​therefore the Geopark is very popular among fans of unusual experiences.

Contrary to expectations, the Valley of the Moon is not located on a natural satellite of the Earth, but in the northwestern part of Argentina. The Ischigualasto Provincial Park got this name because of its alien appearance.

There is practically no flora and fauna in the valley. Its attraction is unusual geological formations, similar to polished bowling balls up to 70 cm in diameter. Scientists today are unable to explain their origin. The area acquired particular interest among tourists after NASA employees tested their rovers on it.

Located in the Chinese province of Hunan, the Wulingyuan mountains are covered with green 3 thousand peaks and cliffs, some of which reach a height of 800 m.

Between them there are gorges with picturesque lakes, streams and waterfalls. Few people know, but it was the Wulingyuan Mountains that inspired the authors of the film "Avatar" to create fabulous landscapes that amaze the audience.

Underground road to hell

By listing unusual places world, it is worth mentioning the Gates of Hell, located in the Karakum Desert (Turkmenistan). The sight with such an impressive name is a gas crater, the depth of which reaches 20 m and the diameter is 60 m.

It was formed in 1971 after an unsuccessful search for underground gas. While drilling a well, Soviet geologists stumbled upon a void filled with natural gas, into which the earth and the equipment on its surface fell through. To prevent the gas from leaving the crater and poisoning the people living in nearby settlements, it was decided to set it on fire.

Mineral seekers expected it to go out in a few days, but they were greatly mistaken. More than 40 years have passed since the crater was formed, and natural gas burns in it incessantly. From the outside, this sight has a mystical appearance.

Forgotten parts of the world

The most beautiful abandoned places in the world have always attracted the attention of travelers. Once in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), tourists should head to the long-forgotten bobsleigh track.

The modern track that meets international standards was built on the eve of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games; its length was more than 1.5 km. The track was used after the end of the Olympics until the outbreak of the civil war in Yugoslavia in 1991. The hostilities in this Balkan country have long since ended, but the interest in bobsleigh among the local population has subsided. The track, on which the best athletes of the planet fought for prizes, has been abandoned for more than two decades and is of interest only to travelers.

The small town of Pripyat in the north of Ukraine can without exaggeration be called the most interesting settlement in the post-Soviet space. Founded in 1970 as a city of nuclear scientists, after 16 years it ceased to exist. The reason for this was the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant located 3 km away. After the explosion at the power unit, the entire population of Pripyat was evacuated. The city turned into an exclusion zone, and the people began to call it a ghost.

Today in Pripyat everything looks the same as at the moment of the tragedy. Once in the city, it is as if you are transported 3 decades ago. The walls of buildings are decorated with communist slogans, schools and kindergartens are waiting for pupils, and apartments for their owners. But the city differs from other settlements in that no one is going to return to it. Its streets are filled with piercing silence, and only tourists and guides are found among the people.

Travelers looking for the most beautiful abandoned places in the world should head to Australia... On this remote mainland in Homebush Bay, the remains of the steam ship Airfield have been buried for many years.

The British ship was launched in 1911, during the Second World War, it transported ammunition and coal. The Airfield is now considered the most famous abandoned ship on the planet. Real thickets of mango trees have grown on its deck, which is why it was popularly called the "Floating Forest". The ship looks especially spectacular in the rays of the sunset.