Beautiful places all over the world. The most interesting places on the planet. Mountain river cave in Quang Binh province, Vietnam
Earth is the most beautiful planet in the solar system, and perhaps the entire universe. The nature of our planet surprises with its beauty, brightness of colors, unique views and diverse landscape.
Beautiful caves and golden beaches, beautiful forests and majestic mountains make up the beauty of the Earth. Some of the corners of our planet do not leave the pages of fashion guides. But, there are places that are rarely found in such literature.
We open our review from the symbol of the mysterious Myanmar - the ancient city of Bagan. It is called the city of a thousand pagodas. This place was the capital of the Bagan kingdom. His greatness was so strong that the best minds and masters of antiquity aspired to Bagan. Thanks to them, Buddhist temples and other beautiful structures were built.
Only a few of them survived to our time. The most significant of them is the Shwezigon Golden Pagoda. It was built in 1057 on the site indicated by the white elephant carrying the bandage, tooth and rib of the Buddha. These relics are kept in the temple until now.
The photo of the most beautiful and amazing places in the world should definitely include other attractions of Bagan: Ananda temples, Htilo-Minlo, Shveleykto and Bu-paya pagoda.
Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia (China)
The most amazing places on the planet can be built by human hands or nature. Colored rocks, which are located in the Chinese province of Gansu, are natural formations made of multi-colored sandstones. Recent studies show that more than 100 million years ago there was an ocean here. The silt colored the sandstone and made the rock formations so original.
Today, the mountain peaks of Danxia near the town of Zhangye are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. So that tourists can enjoy the views of these mountains, locals built a lot of boardwalks and paths with which you can walk between these amazing mountain peaks.
Yusupov Palace (Russia)
But, back to man-made miracles. In any almanac of the most beautiful places in the world, you will find such an architectural monument as the Yusupov Palace. It is located in the heart of St. Petersburg on the Moika River. Built in the 18th century for the niece of Peter the Great, Princess Praskovya, it only passed into the possession of the Yusupovs in 1830. But, since then, he is associated only with this legendary surname. This palace is the site of the assassination of Grigory Rasputin.
Li River (China)
Another beautiful place in China is the Li River. This is one of the most picturesque water bodies on our planet. Starting as a small stream in the Mao'er Mountains, it runs like a "silk ribbon" through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The locals call this Lijiang River. It is recognized as the cleanest river in the Middle Kingdom. Its main attribute is the majestic karst giants. They were formed with the help of water and wind over many centuries. These mountain formations have poetic names and attract tourists from many countries of the world with their beauty.
You can enjoy the beauty of the Lijiang River with the help of a cruise ship or using the service of local "gondoliers".
Meteora monastery complex (Greece)
There are many amazing places in our world. If we talk about architectural monuments, then most of them are in Greece. This country, which became the ancestor of modern Europe, is proud of its legendary "ruins". But the monasteries of Meteora are no less popular. Their main feature is their amazing location: they crown the high peaks of the mountains of Thessaly.
Christian hermits hid in the mountains from Albanians, Turks and ordinary robbers. Over time, students gathered around them, who built monasteries of amazing beauty and resembling the nests of huge birds for themselves and their teachers. The word "Meteora" is translated as "soaring in the air."
Mount Erebus (Antarctica)
Erebus volcano is one of the most interesting places in the world. It is famous for the fact that on its territory you can observe a lake of real lava. This natural phenomenon is unique. The volcano was named after the ship of the expedition, James Clark Ross, who discovered this natural phenomenon. The glow of this volcano attracts everyone who travels on Lake Ross. It is a kind of visiting card of Antarctica.
Rice Terraces (Philippines)
The list of the most interesting places in the world must be continued with the rice terraces of the Philippines. They are even called the eighth miracle of counting. And this is not surprising. These man-made gardens were built by the ancestors of today's locals over 2,000 years ago. Plowed, multi-level fields not only fed the Ifuago people, but were also an excellent defensive structure.
Union of fire and ice (Kamchatka - Russia)
Talking about interesting places on Earth, one cannot ignore Kamchatka. On the territory of this peninsula, you can find 28 active and 160 extinct volcanoes. If you want to climb fire-breathing mountains, watch the spawning of salmon and see the largest bears in the world, then be sure to go and temper your spirit with the help of Kamchatka. The amazing places of nature of this place are conducive to hiking, extreme and sea tourism.
Death Valley (USA)
Another natural monument is the Death Valley. It must be included in all lists of interesting places in the world. We will not bypass this unique place either. Formed many thousands of years ago at the bottom of the sea, this valley is striking in its natural phenomena. Here, literally, stones walk. Leaving bizarre footprints on the petrified mud. But, if you decide to get here, then you need to prepare for the intense heat. During the day, the temperature here rarely falls below 50 degrees.
Guam Gorge (Russia)
The gorge is located in the upper reaches of the Kurdzhips River in the Krasnodar Territory. The natural beauty of this gorge attracts tourists all year round. But, here you can do not only the contemplation of the magnificent flora and fauna, but also extreme tourism. Rock climbing is especially highly developed in the Gum Gorge.
Beach with caves near the Algarve (Portugal)
One of the most amazing places in the world, no doubt, are the Portuguese caves, which are located in the southernmost province of the country of port wine and the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo. The most famous of them is the Algarve de Benagil cave. It is called the most beautiful cave in the world. Wind and sea water - these two creators created a magnificent example of one of the best places for travel in the world.
Sagano Bamboo Grove (Japan)
For many of us, the beauty of the Land of the Rising Sun is associated with cherry blossoms. In this country, even special tours are being created, with the help of which you can observe the alternate flowering of this plant in all provinces of Japan. But, another equally popular symbol of Japan is the Sagano Bamboo Forest. Looking through the photos of the most beautiful and amazing places in the world, you will definitely find several images of a picturesque grove of evergreen bamboos there.
These majestic plants, when blown by the wind, make sounds reminiscent of the popular wind chimes. This beautiful park was created in the 14th century by the monk Muso Soseki.
The nature of Sokotora seems like a setting for science fiction films. Charming vegetation, many of which are unique to this island, divine beaches and silence. This is just what you need for happiness and a serene paradise vacation.
Lake Baskunchak (Russia)
It is called the most salty lake in the world. In terms of salinity, Baskunchak exceeds the famous Dead Sea. This reservoir is located in the Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region. Not far from this lake is the Baskunchakskaya cave. Its one and a half kilometer length attracts speleologists.
Introducing the most Beautiful places of our country, which should be seen not only by every photographer and traveler, but also by every inhabitant of our vast Russia. Read our material and you will see: we all have something to be proud of!
Natural parks, reserves
Lena Pillars, Yakutia
The Lena Pillars is a natural park in Russia, located on the banks of the Lena River in the Khangalassky ulus of Yakutia, 104 km from the city of Pokrovsk. The complex of vertically elongated rocks stretching for many kilometers, bizarrely piled up along the banks of the Lena, a deep valley cutting through the Prilenskoye plateau, never ceases to attract photographers and travelers. The pillars reach the highest density between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary.
The height of the rock formations reaches 100 meters. Scientists believe that the formation of rocks began 560-540 million years ago, and the formation of the Lena Pillars as a form of relief - about 400 thousand years ago.
The Lena Pillars Nature Park was organized on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) dated August 16, 1994 No. 837 and the government decree dated February 10, 1995 and is subordinate to the regional Ministry of Nature Protection. The area of the park is 485 thousand hectares, the park consists of two branches - "Pillars" and "Sinsky".
Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka
The Valley of Geysers, one of the largest geyser fields in the world and the only one in Eurasia, is located in Kamchatka in the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka natural complex.
The valley is deep canyon the Geysernaya River, on the sides of which, on an area of about 6 square meters. km there are numerous outlets of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, thermal sites, waterfalls and lakes. On this territory, there is an abnormally high biodiversity and a high contrast of natural conditions and microclimate. The ecosystem of the Valley of Geysers is unique for the whole country. The reserve regime operates on the territory of the valley.
Since 1992, helicopter excursions have been organized here, under an agreement with the reserve, there is a strict system of rules for organizing excursions in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. In 2008, according to the voting results, the Valley of Geysers was included in the list of seven wonders of Russia.
Weathering pillars, Komi Republic
Pillars of weathering (Mansi blockheads) is a geological monument located in the Troitsko-Pechora region of the Komi Republic on the territory of the Pechoro-Ilychsky reserve on Mount Man-Pupu-ner (“Small mountain of idols” translated from the Mansi language), in the interfluve of the Ichotlyaga and Pechora rivers . There are many legends associated with this extraordinary place. Pillars are considered one of the seven wonders of Russia.
Weathering Pillars are located quite far from inhabited places. Getting to them is already a feat in a sense. For this, by the way, you need to get a pass from the administration of the reserve. From the side of the Sverdlovsk region and the Perm region there are hiking route, from the Republic of Komi - automobile, water and foot routes.
About 200 million years ago, in place of stone pillars were high mountains. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the mountains, and first of all the weak rocks. Hard sericite-quartzite schists were less destroyed and survived to this day, while soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and carried by water and wind into relief depressions.
One pillar, 34 m high, stands somewhat apart from the others. Six others lined up at the edge of the cliff. The pillars have bizarre outlines and, depending on the place of inspection, either resemble the figure of a huge man, or the head of a horse or a ram. Indeed, this place is ideal for a photographer's fantasy! In the past, the Mansi deified the grandiose stone sculptures, worshiped them, but climbing the Manpupuner was considered the greatest sin.
Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad Region
The Curonian Spit is a sandy spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It is a narrow and long strip of saber-shaped land separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and stretching from the city of Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region to the city of Klaipeda (Smiltyne) (Lithuania). The name of the spit comes from the name of the ancient tribes of the Curonians, who lived here before the colonization of Prussia by the Germans.
Length - 98 kilometers, width ranges from 400 meters (near the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (near Cape Bulviko, just north of Nida).
The Curonian Spit is a unique natural and anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic significance: the Curonian Spit is the largest sand body, which, along with the Hel and Vistula, is part of the Baltic sand spits complex, which has no analogues in the world. The high level of biological diversity due to the combination of different landscapes - from desert (dunes) to tundra (raised swamp) - gives an idea of important and long-term ecological and biological processes in evolution.
The most significant element of the relief of the spit is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3 - 1 km wide, partly approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m). Due to its geographic location and northeast-southwest orientation, it serves as a corridor for migratory birds of many species flying from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year, in spring and autumn, 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, most of which stop here for rest and feeding.
Favorable climatic conditions allow you to relax on the Curonian Spit from May to November. In 2000, the Curonian Spit was included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
Nature reserve "Stolby". Krasnoyarsk region
The reserve is located on the northwestern spurs of the Eastern Sayan, bordering on the Central Siberian Plateau. The natural boundaries of the protected area are the right tributaries of the river. Yenisei: in the northeast - the Bazaikha river, in the south and southwest - the Mana and Bolshaya Slizneva rivers. From the northeast, the territory borders on the city of Krasnoyarsk, the border of the reserve can be reached by bus. The reserve was founded in 1925 on the initiative of the city residents to preserve natural complexes around the picturesque syenite remnants - "pillars". At present, its area is 47,219 hectares. Submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
lakes
Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia
It is unlikely that Baikal needs any descriptions, but still ... Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet, the largest natural reservoir of fresh water. The lake and coastal areas are distinguished by a unique diversity of flora and fauna. Locals and many in Russia traditionally call Baikal the sea.
The value of the maximum depth of the lake - 1642 m - was established in 1983 by L. G. Kolotilo and A. I. Sulimov during hydrographic work. The average depth of the lake is also very high - 744.4 m. In addition to Baikal, only two lakes on Earth have a depth of more than 1000 meters: Tanganyika (1470 m) and the Caspian Sea (1025 m). One of the visiting cards of Russia, a place that you need to see with your own eyes at least once in your life!
Lake Seliger, Tver and Novgorod regions
Another place that needs no introduction. By the way, Seliger has another name - Ostashkovskoye Lake, after the name of the city of Ostashkov standing on the lake shore. The area of the lake is 260 sq. km, including about 38 sq. km. km falls on the islands (there are more than 160 of them on Seliger). The largest among them is the island of Khachin. The area of the entire pool is 2275 sq. km.
Seliger receives 110 tributaries. The largest are the rivers Krapivenka, Soroga and Seremukha. Only one river Selizharovka flows from it. The lake lies at an altitude of 205 meters above sea level and is of glacial origin. This explains its peculiar shape - it is not a lake in the usual sense, but rather a chain of lakes stretching from north to south for 100 km and interconnected by short narrow channels. The coastline with a length of more than 500 km is notable for its indentation - capes overgrown with forests, deep picturesque bays protruding into the land, diverse in shape of the island.
The water in Seliger is clear, transparency reaches 5 meters. On the shores of the southern part of Lake Seliger are the city of Ostashkov and the estate "New Yeltsy".
Lake Kezenoy-am, Chechen Republic
Kezenoy-am is a lake on the border of the Vedeno region of the Chechen Republic and the Botlikh region of Dagestan. This is the largest and deepest lake in the North Caucasus, located at an altitude of more than 1800 meters above sea level. The surface of the lake is 2.4 sq. km.
The depth of the lake reaches 74 m. The length of the lake from north to south is 2 kilometers, and from west to east - 2.7 kilometers. The maximum width is 735 meters. The length of the coastline is 10 kilometers.
Lake Baskunchak
Akhtubinsky district, Astrakhan region
Baskunchak is a salt lake with an area of about 115 sq. km in the Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region, about 270 km north of the Caspian Sea, and 53 km east of the Volga. Lake Baskunchak is part of a unique natural complex, which includes Mount Bolshoye Bogdo. In 1997 Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky natural complex was declared a reserve (Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve), where a special environmental regime was established on an area of 53.7 thousand hectares.
On the coast of the lake there are deposits of medicinal clays. In June-August, tourists come to the lake to swim in brine and take mud baths. There is no need to talk about the beauty of these places. There are no less photographers than those wishing to improve their health.
Jack London Lake, Magadan Region
Located in the upper reaches of the Kolyma River in the Yagodninsky district of the Magadan region, lies among the mountains, at an altitude of 803 meters, the length of the lake in the northwest direction is 10 kilometers, the depth is 50 meters.
There are many small lakes around Jack London Lake. The most prominent in size are the lakes Mechta, Anemone, Gray Gull, Invisible, Neighboring, Kudinovskie lakes. One of the most beautiful and exotic lakes in the Far East. Old-timers say that the lake got its name thanks to an unusual find made by the “discoverers”. When the lake was discovered, on the shore, the researchers found Jack London's book "Martin Eden".
Lake Elton, Volgograd Region
Elton is a salty drainless self-sustaining lake in the Pallasovsky district of the Volgograd region, located near the border with Kazakhstan. It is considered the largest mineral lake in Europe and one of the most mineralized in the world. They say that the name of the lake comes from the Mongolian word "Altyn-Nor" - "gold mine".
The area of the lake is 152 sq. km. Until 1882, salt was mined on the Elton, in 1910 the medical sanatorium "Elton" was founded on its shore (moved to a new location in 1945). In 2001, the lake and the surrounding areas of virgin steppes (106 thousand hectares) became part of the State Institution "Natural Park" Elton "".
Blue Lakes. Cherek-Balkar Gorge, Kabardino-Balkaria
A group of five karst lakes in the Cherek region of Kabardino-Balkaria is located at the foot of a rocky ridge, from where the Cherek-Balkar gorge begins. Located at the entrance to the gorge, Blue Lake is a unique natural phenomenon, interesting not only for Kabardino-Balkaria, but also on a national scale. Lower Blue Lake has several names: Chirik-kel (balk.) - rotten (stinking) lake; Sherej-ana (kab.) - mother of Cherek; Psykhurei (kab.) - round water (lake), natural artesian well.
The uniqueness of the Lower Blue Lake lies in the fact that with a relatively small surface (only 235 × 130 m), its depth reaches 258 meters. The water temperature on the surface in winter and summer is about +9 degrees. Not a single stream or river flows into the lake, but about 70 million liters flow out daily. At the same time, the level of the lake is unchanged, which is explained by powerful underwater sources. The blue color of the water is due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide and the refraction of light rays in a deep pool.
The nature here is quite picturesque: green hills, dense beech forests on steep slopes, and in the distance, in a blue haze, peaks sparkling in the sun. Closer to Babugent, the greenery becomes brighter, juicier. Near the village of Babugent there is a fork in the road. At the beginning of the road to the lake, there is a cave in the rock, in which traces of an ancient site of the 5th-10th centuries AD were found. Now many bats settle there, and sometimes, in bad weather, shepherds with flocks of sheep hide.
Seydozero, Kola Peninsula, Murmansk region
Lake in the Lovozero tundra on the Kola Peninsula. "Seid" in translation from the Sami language means "sacred". The lake is located at an altitude of 189 m above sea level. The length of Seydozero is 8 km, the width is from 1.5 to 2.5 km.
According to a number of science fiction writers and ufologists, one of the alleged places of existence of the Hyperborean civilization. Seekers of the unknown have been exploring these places since 1922.
Lake (reservoir) Zyuratkul. Chelyabinsk region
Zyuratkul is located in the Satkinsky district of the Chelyabinsk region on the territory of the national park of the same name. One of the highest (724 m above sea level) reservoirs of the Southern Urals. The reservoir is surrounded by mountain ranges covered with dark coniferous forests. To the southwest is the Nurgush ridge - the highest ridge in the Chelyabinsk region. The main river that feeds the reservoir is the Bolshoy Kyl. Near the source of the Satka River and the dam is the small village of Zyuratkul, connected by bus with the city of Satka.
Previously, Zyuratkul was a natural lake. Now - a reservoir formed by a dam built on the Big Satka. A giant geoglyph was found near the lake. About forty stone tools made of quartzite were also found. The stone chipping technique makes it possible to date the tools to the Neolithic and Eneolithic (VI-III millennium BC). Researchers are still inclined towards the Copper-Stone Age (IV-III millennium BC). It is noted that at that time there were practically no forests in the Southern Urals (they appeared only 2,500 years ago), so the figure was easy to build and then view from a neighboring ridge until it was covered with a layer of soil.
Until the winter of 2012, another popular attraction was located on the shores of Lake Zyuratkul - Kitova Pier, which was also called the "Ural Disneyland". But in the fall of 2012, by a court decision, it was demolished.
Mountains and volcanoes
Elbrus, Kabardino-Balkaria
Elbrus is a stratovolcano located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Elbrus is located north of the Bolshoy Caucasian ridge and is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, often Elbrus is also called the highest European mountain peak, thereby referring it to the list of "Seven Peaks".
The height of the western peak is 5642 m, the eastern one is 5621 m. The gorges of Adylsu, Shkheldy, Adyrsu, Donguz-Orun and Ushba massifs are very popular among climbers and mountain tourists. Elbrus is the most popular ski resort in Russia. The total area of Elbrus glaciers is 134.5 sq. km. The most famous of them are: Big and Small Azau, Terskol.
Altai mountains
The Altai Mountains represent a complex system of the highest ranges in Siberia, separated by deep river valleys and vast intramountain and intermountain basins. The mountain system at the junction of the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. It is divided into Southern Altai (Southwestern), Southeastern Altai and Eastern Altai, Central Altai, Northern and Northeastern Altai, Northwestern Altai.
The Altai, Katunsky nature reserves and the Ukok plateau together form the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Altai - Golden Mountains". Thousands of tourists come to Altai. This is a favorite place for photo tours and independent trips.
Plateau "Divnogorie", Liskinsky district, Voronezh region
"Divnogorye" - a hill and a museum-reserve in the Liskinsky district of the Voronezh region of Russia. It is located 10 km west of the district center on the right bank of the Don River and 80 km south of Voronezh. The museum was founded here in 1988, and in 1991 it received the status of a museum-reserve. Currently, the museum-reserve is one of the most popular and most recognizable sights of the Voronezh region. Every season, from May to October, it is visited by more than 60 thousand tourists.
The area of the museum-reserve is more than 11 sq. km. The maximum height of the plateau above sea level reaches 181 meters, relative - 103 meters (the mouth of the Quiet Pine River at the confluence with the Don, which flows at the foot of the plateau, is located at an altitude of 78 m above sea level).
Dombay-Ulgen, Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Dombay-Ulgen is the peak of the western part of the Dividing Range of the Greater Caucasus (on the border of Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic). Dombay-Ulgen is the highest peak of Abkhazia, located east of the village of Dombay, has three peaks: western (4036 m), main (4046 m) and eastern (3950 m).
A steep ridge extends from the main peak to the north, ending in a lowering - the "Dombay saddle". From the Dombai saddle, there is a classic route (category 3B) going up, accessible for climbing in one day with a descent to the camp.
Putorana Plateau, Krasnoyarsk Territory
The Putorana Plateau is a mountain range located in the northwest of the Central Siberian Plateau. In the north and west, the plateau breaks off with a steep ledge (800 m or more), while the southern and eastern parts are characterized by gentle slopes. The maximum height of the plateau is 1701 m, among the highest peaks are the Kamen (1701 m), Holokit (1542 m), Kotuyskaya (1510 m) mountains. In the north, the Putorana Plateau borders on the Taimyr Peninsula. The name Putorana, translated from Evenki, means "lakes with steep banks."
The area of the plateau is 250 thousand square kilometers, which is comparable to the territory of Great Britain. On the territory of the plateau is the Putoransky State Nature Reserve, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of mankind.
Marble canyon Ruskeala, Republic of Karelia, Ruskeala village
Mountain Park "Ruskeala" is a tourist complex located in the Sortavalsky district of the Republic of Karelia, near the village of Ruskeala. The main object of the complex is a former marble quarry filled with groundwater.
The quarries, discovered by pastor Alopeus, began to be developed at the beginning of the reign of Catherine II. The first developments were led by Captain Kozhin, who was advised by Italian experts. Today, the length of the quarry from north to south is 460 meters, the width is up to 100 meters. The distance from the highest point of the quarry wall to its bottom is over 50 meters. The transparency of water reaches 15-18 meters.
Ruskeala marble was used in the construction of the most beautiful and significant buildings in St. Petersburg and its palace suburbs. St. Isaac's Cathedral was lined with it, the floors of the Kazan Cathedral were laid out, the window sills of the Hermitage were made, the windows of the Marble Palace and the facade of the Mikhailovsky Castle were framed, as well as the underground halls of the Primorskaya and Ladozhskaya stations of the St. Petersburg metro. In 2010, a significant part of the filming of the film "The Dark World" took place in Ruskeala.
Eastern and Western Sayans. Eastern Siberia
Eastern and Western Sayans - a common name for two mountain systems in southern Siberia. They distinguish the Western Sayan (length 650 km, height up to 3971 m - Mount Mongun-Taiga, which is the top of the ridge of the same name - the highest peak in Eastern Siberia, however, more often this ridge is not classified as the Sayan, but is distinguished into a separate mountain system - the mountains of Tuva), consisting from leveled and pointed ridges, on which there is no glaciation, separated by intermountain basins, and the Eastern Sayan (length about 1000 km, height up to 3491 m - Mount Munku-Sardyk) with typical mid-mountain ridges bearing glaciers. The rivers belong to the Yenisei basin. Mountain taiga prevails on the slopes, turning into mountain tundra.
The Western Sayan in the southwestern part borders on Altai. Its main ridge is the Dividing Sayan Range with the highest point - Mount Kyzyl-Taiga (3121 m). The ridges of the Western Sayan are characterized by steep slopes, indented relief, and vast areas of stone placers. The height of the ridges in the west does not exceed 2500-3000 m, in the east it decreases to 2000 m.
The Eastern Sayan stretches almost at right angles to the Western. Its ridges form a system of “white mountains” (Manskoye, Kanskoye) and “squirrels”, which got their name because of the snow on the peaks that does not melt all year round. In the central part, in the upper reaches of the Kazyr and Kizir rivers, several ridges form a "knot" with the highest point - Grandiose Peak (2982 m). In the southeast there are the highest and hardest-to-reach ridges - Big Sayan, Tunkinskiye Goltsy, Kitoyskiye Goltsy, Kropotkin. The highest point of the Eastern Sayan - Munku-Sardyk (3491 m) is located in the ridge of the same name. Between the Sayan ridges there are more than a dozen basins of various sizes and depths, the most famous of which is the Abakan-Minusinsk basin, famous for its archaeological sites. It is worth noting a large number of waterfalls.
Almost everywhere in the Sayans, dark coniferous taiga spruce-cedar-fir forests prevail, rising in the western and central parts to altitudes of 1500–1800 m and more; light deciduous-cedar forests form the upper border of the forest at altitudes of 2000–2500 m. Animal world as rich as vegetable. The largest city located in the Sayans is Krasnoyarsk.
Mountains of Shikhany. Republic of Bashkortostan
Shikhany - isolated hills in the Bashkir Cis-Urals, consisting of four single mountains: Tratau, Shakhtau, Yuraktau and Kushtau, which form a narrow chain stretched along the Belaya River for 20 km. Shikhany are located near the cities of Sterlitamak and Ishimbay. They are unique monuments of nature - the remains of a barrier reef formed in the warm sea of the early Permian period. The imprints of ancient plants and animals have been preserved in the stones of which these shikhans are made.
The highest shihan is Tratau (or Toratau). Its height is 402 meters above sea level, and its relative height is 280 meters. At its foot, the ruins of a women's prison, one of the islands of the Gulag archipelago, have been preserved. Shikhan Tratau flaunts on the coat of arms of the city of Ishimbay, is a symbol of the Ishimbay region of Bashkiria. In the past, this mountain was considered sacred.
Volcano Krenitsyn. Sakhalin Region, Onekotan Island
An active volcano on the Onekotan Island of the Great Kuril Ridge. The largest two-tiered "volcano within a volcano" in the world is located in the southern part of Onekotan Island. The height of the volcano is 1324 m.
The volcanic cone rises in the form of an island inside Lake Koltsevoe lying at an altitude of 400 m (diameter about 7 km). The lake is surrounded by somma - the walls of the more ancient Tao-Rusyr caldera (heights 540–920 m with a base diameter of 16–17 km).
Only one historical eruption is known, which happened in 1952.
Volcano Tyatya, Kuril Islands
An active volcano on the Kunashir Island of the Great Kuril Ridge, on the territory of the Kuril Reserve. In geographical terms, Tyatya is a stratovolcano of the somma-vesuvius type ("volcano in a volcano"). The height reaches 1819 m (the highest point of Kunashir; in 1977 and subsequent years, the southeastern part of the edge of the summit crater collapsed and most of the material collapsed inside the northeastern crater. As a result, the total height of the volcano decreased by about 30-50 meters and is currently probably less than 1800 meters above sea level).
The height of the somma is 1485 m, it has a regular truncated cone with a diameter of 15–18 km at the base and up to 2.5 km at the annular ridge. The foot slopes of the volcano are decorated with coniferous-broad-leaved forests with bamboo and thickets of stone birch and elfin cedar. In the forests at the foot you can often meet a bear. The path to the volcano is difficult, but most tourists get to the volcano from Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
caves
Orda cave, Perm region
Orda Cave is located on the southwestern outskirts of the village of Orda in the Perm Territory, on the left bank of the Kungur River. Consists of "dry" and underwater parts. The length of the dry part is 300 meters, underwater - 4600 meters. To date, the Ordinskaya cave is the longest flooded cave in Russia. In addition, part of the cave is the longest siphon in the CIS - 935 meters.
The cave is ranked 21st among the longest gypsum caves in the world. Famous photographer Viktor Lyagushkin dedicated a whole photo project to Orda Cave.
Kungur cave, Perm region
This is one of the most popular attractions in Siberia and the Urals, a natural monument of all-Russian significance. The cave is located in the Perm Territory, on the right bank of the Sylva River on the outskirts of the city of Kungur in the village of Filippovka, 100 km from Perm.
A unique geological monument - one of the largest karst caves in the European part of Russia, the seventh longest gypsum cave in the world. The length of the cave is about 5700 m, of which 1.5 km is equipped for tourists. The average air temperature in the center of the cave is +5 °C, the relative humidity in the center of the cave is 100%. The Kungur cave contains 58 grottoes, 70 lakes, 146 t. "organ pipes" (the highest - in the Etheric grotto, 22 m) - high shafts, reaching almost to the surface.
Architecture
Leaning tower of Nevyansk. Sverdlovsk region, city of Nevyansk
Not everyone knows that in Russia we have our own kind of Leaning Tower of Pisa - an inclined tower in the center of Nevyansk, built in the first half of the 18th century by order of Akinfiy Demidov.
The height of the tower is 57.5 meters, the base is a square with a side of 9.5 m. The deviation of the tower from the vertical is about 1.85 m, and the greatest slope is observed at the lower tier (3 ° 16 "). The exact date of construction of the tower is unknown, different sources give dates ranging from 1721 to 1745.
The tower is a massive quadrangle with 3 octagonal tiers built on top. Inside the tower is divided into several levels - floors.
The purpose of the first floor is not exactly established. Demidov's office was located on the second floor, and during the Soviet era there was a prison in it. On the third floor there was a laboratory: traces of silver and gold were found in the soot taken from the chimneys of furnaces. According to one version, Demidov minted counterfeit money here. According to another, here Demidov, secretly from the state treasury, smelted silver and gold, which was mined in his mines in Altai.
Even higher is the so-called "auditory room". Its peculiarity is that standing in one corner of the room, you can clearly hear what they say in the opposite corner. The effect observed in the room is associated with the special shape of the ceiling - it is vaulted and at the same time slightly flattened.
On the seventh and eighth floors there are chiming chimes created by the English watchmaker Richard Phelps in 1730. The tower is completed by a roof and a metal spire with a weather vane hoisted on it, made of perforated iron, in which the noble coat of arms of the Demidovs is engraved.
There is a legend saying that the tower tilted due to the flooding of the cellars with all the workers who minted counterfeit money. By Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR No. 1327 of August 30, 1960, the tower was included in the list of historical monuments to be protected as monuments of national importance.
Ivolginsky datsan. Republic of Buryatia, the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga
Ivolginsky datsan is a large Buddhist monastic complex, the center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia, which is the largest Buddhist community in Buryatia. One of the brightest monuments of Russian history and architecture. Located in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, 36 km from the center of Ulan-Ude.
Swallow's Nest. Republic of Crimea
Among all the sights of Crimea, it is not easy to choose one thing. But we decided to stop at one of the most inspiring places. The Swallow's Nest is a monument of architecture and history, located on a sheer 40-meter Aurora cliff of Cape Ai-Todor in the village of Gaspra (Yalta City Council).
The structure resembles a medieval knight's castle like the Belem tower or the Miramare villa near Trieste. The first wooden building on this site was erected for a retired Russian general after the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878; it can be seen on the canvases of famous marine painters: I. K. Aivazovsky, L. F. Lagorio, A. P. Bogolyubov, and also in photographs of the time.
The second owner of this amazing dacha was the court physician A. K. Tobin. There is also very little information about him. After his death, the house was owned by a widow for some time, who sold the plot to the Moscow merchant Rakhmanina. She demolished the old building, and soon a wooden castle appeared, which she called "Swallow's Nest".
The Swallow's Nest got its present appearance thanks to the oil industrialist Baron Steingel, who liked to relax in the Crimea. Steingel bought a summer cottage on the Aurora Rock and decided to build a romantic castle there, which resembles medieval buildings on the banks of the Rhine. The project for the new house was commissioned by engineer and sculptor Leonid Sherwood, son of architect Vladimir Sherwood, author of the Historical Museum on Red Square in Moscow.
At the beginning of World War I, the estate was bought by the Moscow merchant P. Shelaputin, who opened a restaurant in the castle. In the 1930s, there was a reading room of the local Rest House, but the premises were recognized as emergency and closed.
In 1927, the Swallow's Nest was damaged during a strong earthquake. It was not until 1967–1968 that repairs were made. In addition to the monolithic slab, the entire structure was surrounded by anti-seismic belts. The tower, increased in height, acquired more decorative effect thanks to four spiers. In 2013, cracks were found in the foundation slab, and in the autumn the visit was suspended for design work on the reconstruction - strengthening the rock.
And 6 more amazing places:
Chara Sands, Trans-Baikal Territory
Chara Sands is a tract in the Kalarsky district of the Trans-Baikal Territory, which is a sandy massif about 10 km by 5 km in size. The Chara sands are located in the hollow of the same name, in the foothills of the Kodar ridge, 9 kilometers from the village of Chara, between the valleys of the Chara, Middle Sakukan and Upper Sakukan rivers. The massif is a geological monument of nature of the geomorphological type of federal rank.
BAM station Novaya Chara is 10 kilometers away. The massif is elongated from the southwest to the northeast and occupies an area of about 50 sq. km. There are no such large massifs of free-flowing moving sands in any basin of Transbaikalia. The Chara sands are outwardly similar to the deserts of Central Asia. The vegetation is slightly different from the taiga: there are areas with larch, dwarf birch and moisture-loving dwarf pine. In the northeastern part of the tract there are two small lakes - Alyonushka and Tayozhnoye.
Avacha Bay, Kamchatka Territory
Avacha Bay is a large non-freezing bay of the Pacific Ocean near the south-east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, it is the main transport "gateway" of the Kamchatka Territory. The main advantage of the bay is that it is one of the largest bays in the world: it can accommodate any ship in the world!
The length of the bay is 24 kilometers, the width at the entrance is 3 kilometers, the total area of the water surface is 215 sq. km. Depth up to 26 meters. The Avacha and Paratunka rivers flow into the bay. The cities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vilyuchinsk are located along the shores of the bay. The bay is the main base of the Russian Pacific Fleet in Kamchatka.
A kind of symbol of the bay and its attraction are the Three Brothers rocks, located at the exit to the open Avacha Bay.
Commander Islands. Aleutsky District, Kamchatka Territory
Commander Islands - an archipelago of four islands in the southwestern part of the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean, administratively part of the Aleutsky District of the Kamchatka Territory of Russia. The islands are named after the navigator Commander Vitus Bering, who discovered them in 1741. On the largest of them - Bering Island - there is a grave of a navigator. Commander Islands - a place of mixing of Russian and Aleutian cultures. They have great potential for the development of northern tourism.
Patomsky crater. Irkutsk region
Patomsky crater - a cone of crushed limestone blocks on the slope of a mountain in the Patomsky Highlands in the Irkutsk region. Discovered in 1949 by geologist Vadim Viktorovich Kolpakov. Among the local population it is called the "Nest of the Fiery Eagle", also known as the "Kolpakov's Cone", "Dzhebulda Crater", "Yavaldinsky Crater".
This is a geological object unique in its characteristics, which is a ring structure of the central type with a bulk cone composed of limestone and other rocks. The Patom crater was formed over a long period of time about 500 years ago.
The diameter of the crater along the ridge is 76 m. The cone is crowned with a flat top, which is an annular shaft. In the center of the funnel there is a hill up to 12 m high. The total volume of the cone is estimated at 230-250 thousand cubic meters, the mass is about a million tons.
Agura waterfalls. City of Sochi, Krasnodar Territory
Cascade of waterfalls located on the Agura River in the Khostinsky district of Sochi. The distance from the Black Sea coast is 4 km. Further up the river - the Middle waterfall, then the Upper.
The Lower Agur waterfall is the first and most interesting of the three large waterfalls on the Agura River. It consists of two cascades: the lower one is 18 m high and the upper one is 12 m high. Under it is a wide and deep pool of blue water. From the Devil's hole canyon to the Lower waterfall is approximately 1.5 km. Behind the first waterfall, a series of stairs and rises lead up through 500 m to the Middle Agur waterfall - 23 meters, and then to the Upper - 21 meters waterfall. Near the Upper Falls, to the left of the path, there are rocks called Eagles.
Vasyugan swamps. Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions
Some of the largest swamps in the world are located in Western Siberia, between the Ob and Irtysh rivers, on the territory of the Vasyugan plain, which is mostly within the Tomsk region, and in small parts - the Novosibirsk and Omsk regions and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
The swamp area is 53 thousand square meters. km (for comparison: the area of Switzerland is 41 thousand sq. km), the length from west to east is 573 km, from north to south - 320 km.
Vasyugan swamps arose about 10 thousand years ago and have been constantly increasing since then - 75% of their modern area was swamped less than 500 years ago. Marshes are the main source of fresh water in the region (water reserves - 400 cubic km), there are about 800 thousand small lakes, many rivers originate from swamps, in particular: Ava, Bakchar, Big Yugan, Vasyugan, Demyanka, etc. d.
Vasyugan swamps are home to numerous local fauna, including rare ones. Of the rare species of animals in the swamps, in particular, reindeer, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, gray shrike, peregrine falcon live. Squirrels, elks, sables, wood grouses, white partridges, hazel grouses, black grouses are present in significant quantities, mink, otter, wolverine are in smaller quantities. The flora also includes rare and endangered plant species and plant communities. Cranberries, blueberries, and cloudberries are widely distributed among wild plants.
Now the fauna and flora of the swamps is under threat due to the development of the territory during the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas fields.
In preparing the article, materials from Wikipedia were used.
Happy travels!
In the world there are a huge number of interesting and beautiful places located on different continents. Everyone should see these places.
Troll tongue, Norway
Troll's Tongue is a stone ledge on the mountain Skjeggedal, near the city of Odda in Norway. The ledge rises above Lake Ringedalsvatn at an altitude of 350 meters.
This is a place of pilgrimage for tourists, although it will take at least 5 hours to climb there.
Great Wall of China, China
As you know, Great Chinese Wall belongs to the main wonders of the world, which was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1987. The Chinese wall is somewhat reminiscent of a snake that coils for 8852 kilometers (the length of the Chinese wall). Of course, the years take their toll, the Chinese wall is already more than two thousand years old and the walls are being destroyed in some places, but despite this, the Chinese wall is one of the most famous historical sights.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The Lost Inca City of Machu Picchu. The ancient city of the Incas is located in the picturesque tropics, at an altitude of more than 2400 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Andes. Everything that you will see here is made by ancient craftsmen from special stone, which was carefully processed. The city was built in the 15th century, but due to the invasion of the Spaniards, the Incas were forced to leave it. Of course, all the locals were well aware of the monument of ancient architecture, but it gained worldwide fame only after it was found and described by the American historian Heenan Bingham in 1911.
Geirangerfjord, Norway
The Geirangerfjord is one of the most picturesque and most visited Norwegian fjords, located in the Sunnmøre region in the southwest of Møre og Romsdal. It stretches between the mountains for 15 km and is a natural extension of the Storfjord (Great Fjord). Its maximum width is 1.3 km. On the outskirts of the Geiranger Fjord, where the Geirangelva River flows into it, is the village of Geiranger, from which it takes its name. The population of the village is 300 people. In 2005, the fjord and its surrounding areas were added to the list of UNESCO natural heritage sites. It is this status that today hinders the implementation of the local authorities' plan to build power lines across the fjord.
The ancient city of Petra is another of the wonders of the world, the main attraction of Jordan. The Nabateans, an ancient Arab tribe, built this city in a narrow canyon among sheer cliffs about 2,000 years ago. Petra was at the crossroads of important trade routes connecting India, China, southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria and Rome, and for a long time was the center of trade, a rich and famous city.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
The statue of Jesus Christ is the youngest of the new wonders of the world. It was built in 1931 on Mount Corcovado. The figure of the Savior towering over the city with arms outstretched for blessing immediately became the main symbol of Rio.
Bora Bora Island, French Polynesia
This island was formed eight million years ago and is located in Polynesia. Like other volcanic islands, it slowly goes under water. The island is very beautiful and surrounded by many small islands with beautiful beaches and white sand. There are many marine life in the water, so if you scuba dive you can meet tropical fish, sharks, rays, etc.
Mount Roraima, Venezuela-Brazil-Guyana
The unique Mount Roraima is located in the north of South America, at the junction of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana.
The highest current of the mountain is 2723 m above sea level, and the flat top is a plateau with an area of about 34 km². It is considered a sacred place, and local Indians call it the navel of the earth.
A fantastic view opens from the mountain: it was Roraima who inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write a novel. lost World.
Socotra Island is one of the most beautiful and wonderful places on Earth. Here, in a harsh desert climate, unique representatives of the animal and plant world have been preserved. Many species of flora and fauna can not even be found in other parts of the world, due to the isolation of the island from the rest of the world.
Swing at the end of the world (End of the World), Ecuador
This extreme attraction is located in the mountains of Ecuador (the city of Banos). The unique swing over the abyss is located at an altitude of 2660 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of the Andes.
Pyramid of Cheops, Egypt
The Pyramid of Cheops is one of the seven wonders of the world. Its construction is still shrouded in secrets and myths. Many interesting archaeological finds belong to these lands.
Skala Pulpit, Norway
This rock is called Preikestolen in Norwegian and is a 604-meter-high cliff located in southwestern Norway near the Lysefjord fjord. Tourists really like the platform at its top, which offers stunning views and great photos.
Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island is one of the most amazing habitats on the planet. It is located in the Pacific Ocean. The closest points are South America and inhabited Pitcairn Island.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
The highest waterfall in the world is Angel Falls in Venezuela. Overall Height Angel Falls 979 meters, continuous fall height 807 meters. Water falls from the top of Mount Auyantepui. Canaima National Park, where the waterfall is located, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is how the modern traveler Alexander Klenov describes the Angel Falls: “It remains a mystery where the waterfall feeds from. There is no lake, no river, nothing. Only strange vegetation, unseen animals, fog and silence… The place is enchanted.”
The unique colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia are located in China, in the province of Gansu. The colored rocks are composed of red sandstones and conglomerates mostly from the Cretaceous period. Such formations are a unique type of petrographic geomorphology, existing only here. Colored rocks are included in the World Heritage List.
Beachy Head, England
Beachy Head rock appeared 100,000,000 years ago, in the late Cretaceous period. People often call it the end of the earth. Standing close to a cliff, you feel small and weak, because the ground abruptly leaves from under your feet and there are only endless expanses of water ahead.
Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada
Located in Banff National Park in Canada. The most interesting thing here happens in June, when the water level in the lake reaches its maximum and the water begins to shimmer with amazing shades of blue and blue, which are obtained due to the sunlight refracting on the rocky bottom.
This charming home is located on an island near Vestmannaeyjar, a small archipelago south of Iceland. The archipelago consists of the island of Heimaey, which is inhabited, and thirteen small ones that are uninhabited.
There is a beautiful legend on the Internet that this is a small island and a country house, was presented to the singer Bjork in 2009. However, she refused such an extraordinary gift ...
Neuschwanstein Castle is a historic German castle located in Bavaria. It is located near the town of Füssen near the border with Austria. The castle is considered one of the most visited and photographed attractions in the world.
For those who have never seen it with their own eyes and have not looked at photos with him, the appearance of the castle will seem familiar, because it is he who occupies a central place on one of the most recognizable logos - the emblem of the Walt Disney company.
Mountain river cave in Quang Binh province, Vietnam
Mountain river cave (Son Doong), almost 6 km long, is the largest in the world. Its largest part reaches 200 meters in height and 150 meters in width, and some parts of the space are so massive that they can fit the city with all its streets. From constant erosion, part of the cave collapsed, forming passages and the so-called cave halls.
Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge is by far the UK's greatest national landmark, symbolizing mystery, strength and power. The original purpose of Stonehenge is not clear to us, but some believe that it served as a temple for the worship of the ancient deities of the earth. It has been called an astronomical observatory for marking significant events on the prehistoric calendar. Others claim that it is a sacred place for the burial of high-ranking citizens of the ancient society.
One of the most amazing and beautiful rivers in the whole world is in Colombia. Its name is Crystal, but the local population prefers to call it in its own way, namely the “River of Five Flowers” or “The River that Escaped from Paradise”. And the locals do not lie, there are indeed five primary colors in the river: black, green, red, blue and yellow. And all thanks to the underwater inhabitants, they are the reason that the river has colorful, pronounced shades.
Bend of the Colorado River (USA)
One of the most beautiful places on the planet worth visiting is rightfully considered the bend of the Colorado River. This natural formation is located 8 kilometers downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, near the city of Page, Arizona, in the USA. The riverbed bends intricately, forming a shape that looks like a horseshoe for a horse.
Arizona wave (USA)
The Arizona wave is such an amazing natural formation that it would be unfair not to mention it in the top 10 list - the most beautiful places on the planet. This ancient rock formation looks very beautiful, as if a talented artist painted it by hand. To get to this place, you need to make a lot of effort. Why? It's all about the fragility of these mountains. Since they are made of soft sandstone, careless human intervention can simply destroy them. Therefore, no more than 20 people can visit here per day. Vouchers for visiting these unusual mountains are played in the lottery.
Huge Crystal Cave (Mexico)
This most beautiful place on our planet was found relatively recently, in 2000. Where is this miracle of nature located? In Mexico, namely in the city with the fancy name of Chihuahua. What makes the "Crystal Cave" unique in its kind? First - the depth, the cave reaches 300 meters deep. Secondly - crystals, their greatest length reaches 15 meters, and the width is 1.5 meters. The conditions prevailing in the cave, namely, air humidity of 100% and a temperature of 60 degrees, could lead to the emergence of such crystals.
Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
The Salar de Uyuni is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Uyuni salt marsh is a huge salt field, formed as a result of the drying up of the lake. Located in Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca. The beauty of this amazing place is amazing, especially when it rains, at this time the entire salt marsh becomes a mirror and it seems as if the surface of the earth does not exist.
Lake Kliluk (Canada)
In the city of Osoyoos, in Canada, there is a truly extraordinary lake - Kliluk. It is also called spotted lake. Why? Because thanks to the minerals contained in this miracle lake, the water becomes spotty. From a distance, the lake looks more like a tile of stones. The thing is that when the temperature rises, the water dries, and due to this, stains form. The change in color depends on what the mineral composition of the lake is at a given period of time.
Enchanted Well (Brazil)
In Brazil, namely in the state of Bahia, you can find the “Enchanted Well”. This well is located at the very bottom of a deep cave, the height of which is 80 meters. The well itself is 37 meters deep. The water of this well is crystal clear and transparent, you can even look at the bottom in great detail. This mysterious corner really enchants with its beauty, the play of light gives the water a bluish tint. The entire water surface shimmers, creating a colorful spectacle.
Marble Caves (Chile)
The Marble Caves are one of the most popular attractions in Chile and, in our opinion, the most beautiful place on the planet. The caves are located on one of the deepest alpine lakes in the world. The material of which the caves are composed contains a large amount of limestone, which contributed to the appearance of colorful landscapes with a predominance of shades of blue. For fans of diving "Marble Caves" will be a real find.
So we have finished our small but very eventful journey through the most beautiful places on the planet. It is a pity to say goodbye to this beauty, but as we said, you will have impressions for a long time. Of course, not everyone has the opportunity to visit these places. But besides them, there are quite a few others on our planet that are beautiful and unique in their own way. It is worth taking a closer look and maybe in your city you can find the same wonderful places created by nature itself.
Planet Earth is amazing and unique. She shows the unprecedented diversity of nature, and each of her creations amazes and attracts. You can find pristine beauty anywhere in the world and capture its magnificence in a photo.
The most beautiful places on the planet (photos of these points of the world will be presented later in the article) annually attract thousands of tourists. Their incredible landscapes fascinate, and the unique flavor is remembered for many years.
Lake Uyuni in Bolivia
The Salar de Uyuni is called by the locals the "Mirror of God". The lake is the largest salt marsh in the world. Depending on the time of day and weather, the surface of the lake is painted in different colors. 
This is due to the reflection of the sky in the salt crystals. During the rainy season, the salt marsh fills with water and creates a mirror effect. During the drought period, moisture evaporates and the salt crystallizes, forming cells like honeycombs.
It is considered a unique phenomenon that several species of pink and white flamingos migrate to Lake Uyuni in the warm season. Other attractions of this place are salt hotels and vast areas of salty lands.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre - 5 fishing villages in western Italy, built in the Middle Ages. The ancient architecture of these places will appeal to art lovers and ordinary people.
The Cinque Terre is a national park on the UNESCO heritage list.
Villages attract attention, first of all, with colorful buildings located on the rocks. Combined with the natural beauty of the seaside, the houses in the Cinque Terre look truly fabulous. 
Communication between the villages takes place by rail. The Cinque Terre receives its main income from tourism, fishing and winemaking. Local rocky and sandy beaches attract visitors with warm waves and amazing scenery.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale literally means "cotton castle". This area in southwestern Turkey is truly unique as it hosts unparalleled geothermal springs.
Unusual recesses in the rocks - travertines were formed due to mineral waters flowing from the slopes, heated to + 30- + 100 ° С. An excess of calcium in the liquid led to the formation of a snow-white sediment on the surface of the rocks.
Pamukkale is now considered the best spa resort in Turkey. Many people who have been here note that the healing mineral waters helped to cure skin diseases, rheumatism and vascular problems. Therefore, in Pamukkale you can not only enjoy the marvelous expanses of boiling white mountains and swim in hot springs, but also take care of your health.
Yunnan Rice Terraces
The rice fields of the Chinese province of Yunnan are man-made. Over the years, people have gradually carved out the terraces and installed a canal system that fills the pools with water that helps the rice ripen successfully. 
The best way to see the beauty of rice fields is from a height of 1-2 thousand meters. It is impossible to say exactly what time of the year is ideal for visiting Yunnan, as each season has a different effect on the appearance of the terraces without detracting from their charm.
In summer, the fields are covered with bright green growing rice. In autumn, the vegetation begins to turn yellow, turning the hills golden. In the spring, the first shoots begin to break through on the slopes, and flowering trees add white and pink hues to the landscape. In winter, empty terraces filled with water reflect the sky, and on sunny days their surface resembles a mirror surface.
Great Blue Hole in Belize
The sinkhole is part of Lighthouse Reef near the Yucatan Peninsula. These maritime territories belong to the state of Belize. The blue hole was discovered during the expeditions of the French explorer of the seas, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. During a large-scale analysis of this place in the ocean, he discovered the natural nature of this reef. 
It is assumed that before the Ice Age there was a limestone cave in this zone, which was flooded after the rise in the level of the World Ocean. This explains the bizarre coloration of the funnel. Along the edge of the atoll, it is light blue, and inside it is dark blue, which is associated with great depth.
All the beauty of the blue hole can only be seen from a great height, so helicopter tours are popular here. The funnel also attracts diving enthusiasts who dive underwater to explore rare species of fish and algae.
Arizona Wave
The outlandish sandstone cliffs, called the Arizona Wave, are located on the border of the states of Utah and Arizona in the United States. They are composed of very ancient sand and are dunes that have been shaped into rocks by wind and water over many years.
The Arizona wave is a smooth transition between rock formations. They have depressions and grooves, the surface of which is covered with smooth lines and transitions. The most beautiful view of the area takes on at noon in the absence of shadows. However, during the dawn and dusk hours, these shadows create atmospheric landscapes. 
Due to the influx of tourists, a special service monitors the number of visitors to this place. Access is open to only 20 people per day. This measure is due to the fact that the Arizona wave exists thanks to a special ecosystem that must be maintained in a natural state.
Jiuzhaigou National Park
Jiuzhaigou Chinese Park is located in Sichuan Province. The national park is spread among the Minshan mountain range. The amazing beauty of the local nature remained untouched and was preserved only because official access to this territory was impossible until 1972.
Jiuzhaigou is rich in rare species of plants and animals, among which there are endemics - living only in this area. In addition, there are 108 lakes and many cascading waterfalls in the national park. All reservoirs have an interesting color, which was obtained due to the sediment of carbon dioxide at their bottom, due to which the waters shimmer with blue, blue and purple.
Plitvice lakes
The most beautiful places on the planet, photos of which have spread all over the world, cannot be imagined without the Plitvice Lakes. This group of reservoirs in Croatia is famous for its picturesqueness. Lakes with light blue water surrounded by pines and beeches form a really beautiful view. 
Environmental organizations are fighting to preserve the ecosystem of the lakes, therefore it is forbidden to swim in them, and in the adjacent forest it is forbidden to make fires and arrange family vacations. Excursions include exclusively viewing the natural beauties of the Plitvice Lakes and the park, where you can also admire the graceful waterfalls.
Valley of the Ten Peaks in Canada
The most beautiful places on the planet (photos and images with them are often posted by regular travelers) cannot but include the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Canada. It is located in Banff National Park, Alberta. Small mountain range consists of 10 hills, the peaks of which gave the name to this place. 
The Valley of the Ten Peaks is one of the five most visited places in Canada. The discoverer of this territory, Walter Wilcox, said that the mountain range and Moraine Lake were the most magnificent sight he had ever seen.
The beauty of the valley is multiplied by Lake Moraine, located at the foot of the mountains. This pond with amazingly clear azure water is especially beautiful on clear days. Mountains, floating clouds and centuries-old fir trees are reflected on the surface of the water.
Mount Roraima
Mount Roraima is one of the South American mountains, which the local people call "tepui", which means "refuge of the gods." They are the remnants of the ancient plateau. The peculiarity of these mountains is a flat and truncated surface. For their shape, these hills were nicknamed "table mountains".
Roraima stands out from the total mass of similar mountain formations in that it is located on the border of 3 states - Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. In addition, this mountain is considered the highest tepui and reaches almost 3 thousand meters. 
The top of the mountain is constantly covered with clouds, which is why frequent and heavy precipitation falls on its surface. Water flows down to the ground in waterfalls and remains on Roraima, dotting it with lakes, rivers and swamps. Tourists come here to climb Roraima and appreciate its mystical power. From the top of the mountain, a striking view opens up, giving the impression that a person is among the clouds.
Maldives
The Maldives archipelago consists of 1000 coral islands united in atolls - a chain of islands in the shape of a semicircle. Tourists rightly call the Maldives "heaven on earth." People come here for a feeling of lightness and tranquility.
The islands are distinguished by the cleanest beaches with fine white sand and azure coast washed by the warm ocean. In the Maldives, you can find colorful gardens with exotic flowers, see unusual animals and enjoy the abundance of greenery.
Vaadhoo beach is noted for its special beauty. At night, the coast is covered with thousands of shining blue lights. This happens due to the local species of plankton, which has luminescent properties. Such a spectacle resembles a scattering of night stars reflected on the surface of the ocean.
Machu Picchu in Peru
Machu Picchu or the "city in the clouds" is one of the main attractions of Peru. The mysterious settlement was built in the Middle Ages by the Inca tribe to protect themselves from the Spanish conquistadors. It is known that the conquerors never reached this place, and all the inhabitants once mysteriously disappeared. 
The city is located high in the mountains, and the road here was inaccessible for a long time. Later, explorers discovered a path through the valley. Striking is not only the view of the green mountain landscapes, but the very architecture of this place. Strong buildings are built without any additional means, except for stone.
The structure of the city has a clear structure. There are temples, squares and other important elements of city life. Now Machu Picchu almost year-round receives tourists from all over the world, and the main inhabitants of the city are llamas and alpacas.
Monument Valley in the USA
The territory of Monument Valley belongs to the reservation of the Navajo Native American tribe. The area itself is a plateau with bizarrely shaped hills. These sandstone formations previously filled the entire valley, and in ancient times the entire area was occupied by the prehistoric sea. 
Over time, the sandstone, under the influence of winds and rains, turned into shale rock, which made the rocks stronger. This place attracts travelers with a variety of monuments. Some of them look so unusual that they seem to be man-made. However, all of the rocks in Monument Valley are of natural origin.
Many hills have acquired names thanks to the imagination of tourists. This area also remained unnoticed by Hollywood directors, who used the Valley to shoot many westerns.
Colored rocks of Zhangye
Zhangye Danxia National Park in China is famous for its colorful hills. Geologists say that this place was once a huge reservoir. After its disappearance, the rock and sandstone oxidized, acquiring an outlandish color.
The color of the rocks is dominated by brown and red shades, alternating with yellow, blue and green. The very shape of the rock formations, which received it under the influence of weather conditions, climate and time, is also surprising. 
For the convenience of visitors, safe walking paths and viewing platforms have been installed between the hills of the park. Most of the tours are held before sunset, because it is at this time that the rocks take on a delightful view.
Halong bay in Vietnam
The most beautiful places on the planet, photos of which have spread all over the world, necessarily include the Vietnamese Halong Bay. This area is a lagoon of incredible beauty, surrounded by a series of rock formations in the middle of sea waters.
Halong has over 1800 small islands and cliffs. The nature of these places fascinates an inexperienced traveler, and the life of the indigenous people allows you to touch a foreign culture. 
In the cliffs of the bay there are caves equipped for excursions. They are the most famous attraction in Halong. Each of the caves is unique and has its own characteristics, such as the presence of waterfalls and strange acoustic effects. Here, tourists can not only enjoy exotic views, but also find a way to relax for every taste.
Halong Bay offers activities such as:
- fishing;
- diving;
- sea cruises;
- beach leisure;
- visiting the floating village;
- excursions to the caves;
- kayaking.
The most beautiful places on the planet, not included in the rating
The most beautiful places on the planet, of course, are not limited to the points of the globe indicated in the rating. There are many incredible and attractive places around the world. Their beauty can be appreciated even in the photo, and the real view of these places leaves tourists speechless. 
| Place | Description |
| Lake Baikal in Russia | Is the deepest in the world. It is known not only because of the unique surrounding nature, but also because the reservoir contains a fifth of the earth's fresh water reserves. |
| yellowstone park | Located in the USA. It is famous for its geysers, waterfalls and magnificent forest landscapes. |
| Marble Caves | Located in Chile. They are distinguished by blue karst lakes, the light of which is reflected on the walls, creating strange patterns and weaves. |
| Tulip fields in Holland | Known for their beauty all over the world. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the country to see the tulips in bloom. |
| Santorini island in Greece | Pleases the eye with its snow-white and colored houses, as well as amazing sea sunsets. |
| Socotra archipelago in Yemen | Amazes with unique flora and fauna. Most representatives of the flora and fauna of the islands are found only here. |
| Aogashima Island in Japan | Surrounded by high hills, inside which is a residential village in the middle of the valley. |
Nature pacifies, gives calmness and a sense of peace in the soul. Nowadays, it is not necessary to travel the globe, just look at the photos with the most picturesque places on the planet and plunge into the magical world of their beauty.
Article formatting: Mila Fridan
Video about the most beautiful places on the planet
The most magical places on earth: