Buzz
Start saving money now to set foot in at least one of these remarkable 27 destinations, even just once, or you'll truly regret it for a lifetime.
Recently, Buzzfeed revealed the top 27 places you should visit at least once before... kicking the bucket. This list is based on readers' votes on the Q&A website Quora. Hang Son Doong, the world's largest natural cave located in the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng cave system, Bố Trạch District, Quảng Bình Province, is a favorite and highly voted destination. The impressive images of these 27 places are a sight to behold, and missing them would be a lifetime regret.
1. Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, Gansu, China:
If you don't actually step foot in this location, you might think the images in front of you are a 'photoshop' masterpiece. However, this is truly the breathtaking landscape that Mother Nature generously bestowed upon the Zhangye Danxia mountains in Gansu, China. Travelers will witness colorful streaks ranging from red, yellow, orange to green, purple, brown... This unimaginably beautiful masterpiece is created by natural factors such as rain, wind, erosion, oxidation, combined with mineral factors, producing unique and diverse color patches.
2. 'End of the World' swing in Banos, Ecuador:
This is not a destination for the faint-hearted as you'll sit on a 'end of the world' swing and swing over a deep mountain abyss without any safety measures. But before you can swing on this 'death-defying' swing, you need to hike the trail to Bellavista from the Banos cliffs in Ecuador to reach the observation point at a seismic monitoring station called 'La Casa del Arbel' – a small house perched on a tiny tree right next to the mountain path.
3. The Grand Blue Hole in Belize:
'The Grand Blue Hole' is a deep hole under the sea off the coast of Belize, part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO-recognized natural heritage site. Surrounded by a 70km-long coral reef, this hole is 300m wide and about 124m deep. The grandeur and splendor of this place leave every traveler amazed and impressed.
4. Dutch Tulip Fields:
The Netherlands is always known as the homeland of the exquisite and beautiful tulip. Here, there are endless tulip fields, creating colorful, unimaginably beautiful paintings. The tulip season starts from late March to early August. During this time, flowers of various colors like purple, pink, red, yellow, compete to bloom, resembling radiant streams of colorful flowers. The best way to admire these fields is from a helicopter.
5. Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh, Vietnam:
Part of the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng cave system, located in Bố Trạch District, Quảng Bình Province, Son Doong Cave is the world's largest natural cave. Formed around 2-5 million years ago, the cave took shape as a river eroded the limestone beneath a fault line. The water carved out a massive tunnel under the mountains. In areas with softer rock, the ceiling collapsed, creating openings that eventually formed into giant caverns.
6. Flower Paradise at Hitachi Seaside Park:
Hitachi Seaside Park is a 'golden' tourist destination in Japan. Covering 3.5 hectares, the park boasts numerous hills, each showcasing different types of flowers throughout the four seasons. It is particularly famous for nemophilas – transparent blue flowers. In spring, over 4.5 million nemophila flowers will bloom, creating a 'one-of-a-kind' beautiful scenery.
7. Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska, USA:
When you think of Alaska, it's not just about the endless stretches of glaciers, hiding the surreal, captivating beauty, but also about the mysterious and dazzling ice caves. One such marvel is the Mendenhall Ice Caves. It's a destination that everyone desires to visit, witnessing the magnificent beauty of nature. Apart from its pure natural beauty, this ice cave provides scientists with a broader view of the past, present, and future climate conditions in the northernmost regions of the United States.
8. Mount Roraima situated between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana:
Roraima, the peculiar flat-topped mountain, stands as the highest and most famous peak in Venezuela. Additionally, it serves as a natural border between the three countries of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Situated within Canaima National Park, covering an entire area of 30,000 km², it holds and forms some of the world's oldest geological features, dating back approximately 2 billion years.
9. Cappadocia Region, Turkey:
Cappadocia, a historical region in the central Anatolia of Turkey, is renowned for its most impressive natural landscapes in Europe. Formed from layers of sedimentary rock and volcanic rock resulting from an eruption about 3 million years ago, over thousands of years, natural elements such as rain, wind, and rivers have intensely eroded the rocks, creating hundreds of spectacular rock formations in the shape of towers, cones, and chimneys, reaching a height of about 40m. When viewed from above, the area resembles the lunar surface.
10. Star Beach on Vaadhoo Island, Maldives:
Many believe the sight of tiny glowing organisms on the beach, resembling thousands of twinkling stars, only exists in science fiction movies or fairy tales. However, the glowing beach is indeed real in the Maldives. The bioluminescent organisms light up the water with high density, creating a breathtaking and unimaginable scene on this beach.
11. Victoria Falls:
With a height of approximately 108m and situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is known as the largest waterfall in Africa. This destination stands out as one of the most attractive and famous spots in Zimbabwe, captivating travelers who cannot miss the chance to visit Africa. The convergence of rocky mountains, flowing rivers, the sky's clouds, and lush forests surrounding the area creates a perfect and spectacular natural landscape.
12. Trolltunga in Hordaland, Norway:
Another adventurous destination, Trolltunga is located on the edge of a cliff, over 600m above sea level, and visitors can only hike to this area from June to September.
13. Whitehaven Beach, Australia:
Whitehaven's coastline is a must-visit destination in Australia. The crystal-clear water and the 7km stretch of the world's whitest sand are the precious gems that nature has bestowed upon the Whitsunday Island, the largest island among the 74 islands in the land Down Under. From above, Whitehaven Beach is a breathtaking sight beyond human imagination.
14. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA:
Grand Canyon, covering an area of nearly 5,000 km2, stands as one of the world's most famous tourist destinations. The canyon features colorful ravines ranging from brown and red to orange and gold, creating a vibrant and fascinating scenery under the sun.
15. Marble Cathedral Cave, Chile:
The Marble Cathedral Cave, situated in Lake General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile, has been formed over thousands of years through the natural erosion process, creating incredibly impressive caverns and caves. Rarely can any sculptural artwork compare to the exquisite beauty of this cave, considered one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
16. 'Tunnel of Love' Railway Tunnel:
This is one of the most beautiful railway tunnels in the world, located in the city of Klevan, Ukraine. The tunnel is completely covered by dense trees, creating a breathtaking scene throughout all four seasons. Even in the freezing winter, the 'Tunnel of Love' retains a romantic charm with white snowflakes clinging to the slender branches. Most tourists who come here are couples in love, arriving to share sweet kisses amid nature and convey everlasting wishes for their love.
17. Stunning Salt Flats Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia:
Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest natural salt flat formed by the movement of the Earth's crust. During the winter months, the area is completely dry. However, when summer arrives, the salt flat transforms into a giant reflective mirror, flooded with water.
18. Enchanted Well – Chapada Diamantina National Park (Brazil):
The Enchanted Well is located within the confines of Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia, Brazil. It resembles a gigantic swimming pool with a depth of about 41 meters, featuring crystal-clear, light-blue water, reminiscent of an icy block, creating a stunning landscape.
19. Antelope Canyon, USA:
Situated in the Navajo land near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the slot canyons attracting many visitors and photographers. It is considered a masterpiece of intricate carving that nature has bestowed upon the United States, a gem with magical, mystical, and captivating powers for those who have witnessed its beauty.
20. Fingal's Cave, Scotland:
Fingal's Cave, situated on the island of Staffa in Scotland, is a must-visit tourist destination. According to geologists, Fingal's Cave was formed by molten basalt combined with erosion, creating a sculpted and mysteriously captivating landscape.
21. Tosua Ocean Trench, Samoa:
Tosua Ocean Trench, located near Lotofaga, a coastal village on the southern coast of Upolu Island, Samoa, has a depth of approximately 30 meters. The most unique feature of this pool is that you need to descend a long staircase to reach this natural giant pool.
22. Sagano Bamboo Forest, Japan:
Situated in the Arashiyama district of Japan, Sagano Bamboo Forest is an excellent destination for nature lovers. With endless straight bamboo groves, this place attracts millions of domestic and international tourists for exploration every year. Visiting here, you not only get to admire the towering bamboo groves but also enjoy the fresh air, immersing yourself in the beautiful natural surroundings.
23. Glowworm Caves in New Zealand:
Waitomo Glowworm Cave in the North Island, New Zealand, is renowned for numerous enchanting glowworms. The surreal light, akin to thousands of stars inside the cave, leaves everyone who steps foot here in awe.
24. Haiku Stairs, Oahu, Hawaii:
The Haiku Stairs in Hawaii, known as the 'Stairway to Heaven,' offer a thrilling experience amidst conquering heights with slippery and rugged terrain, exploring the beauty of nature.
25. Volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia:
The Kamchatka Peninsula is home to approximately 160 volcanoes, with 29 still active and 19 active volcanoes designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The highest volcano, Kljuchevskaia Sopka, boasting a 'perfect cone' shape, is a worthy contender for the most beautiful volcano in the world.
26. Sinkholes on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico:
Natural sinkholes on the Yucatan Peninsula result from the collapse of porous limestone due to the impact of underground water sources. The water here is crystal clear, pure, originating from slow-soaking rains that permeate through the limestone layer, forming droplets that fall below.
27. Color-changing lakes atop Mount Kelimutu in Indonesia:
Kelimutu is a renowned small volcano on Flores Island, Indonesia. Most impressively, at its summit, three lakes are formed within the volcano's craters, each displaying incredibly unique colors. Although situated atop the same volcano, the water in these lakes regularly changes colors from red and brown to turquoise and green, creating a stunning landscape.
***
Source: Travel guide Mytour – Via Zing News / Tri Thức Trẻ
MytourNovember 25, 2013
