Sunday, 14 July 2013

41 Places To See Before You Die (Part II)

41 Places To See Before You Die (Part II)

No matter how advanced our cities and technology is, eventually we get tired of all the noise, stress and crowd of the city and want to be in the nature.
Humans have transformed Earth beyond recovery, but luckily not everything is lost yet. Beautiful mountains, blue water lakes, magnificent oceans with fabulous islands – our planet has many breathtaking places and awe-inspiring sceneries  just waiting for you to discover them.
However, life is short, and the funds are limited, so we have to narrow down the selection. Knowing that you are just another lazy panda, we’ve done it for you!
We’ve picked 41 most amazing places in the world, however it is said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”,  so you may as well have your very own personal list of places to see before you die.

21. Bagan, Myanmar

Bamboos for: Martin Sojka
Bagan is notable for its expanse of sacred geography, the number and size of their individual ancient monuments. The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles. The majority of its buildings were built in the 11th to 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the Myanmar dynasty. Bagan is also the first place to have transformed into a religious and cultural centre, by Shin Arahan who brought Theravada Buddhism to this land. Bagan is full of ancient architectural designs, mural paintings, precious frescoes and stone inscriptions to see for yourself, and also it is the centre for the manufacturing of lacquerware products in Myanmar. Hence it is marked as a cultural heritage of the Myanmar People, and also a landmark full of ancient pagodas and monuments which can be rarely encountered today. Bagan is one of the major historical landmarks of Asia and represents the outstanding achievement of Theravada Buddhism. Most of the site were damaged by the 1975 earthquake and cooperation with UNESCO projects help some experimental conservation work, restoration of mural paintings and maintaining some of the rare monuments.[1]

22. Salar De Yuyni, Bolivia

Bamboos for: Tomas Rawski | szeke | jo vh | kk+
Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Potosí and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, and is elevated 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above the mean sea level.[1] The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar.[2]

23. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Bamboos for: chii :3 | Andrew Hux | fra.ps
Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, and is the most beautiful tourist destination of Vietnam. Halong Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the 120-km coastline of Bai Chay Beach. Its waters are host to a great diversity of ecosystems including offshore coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes, and sandy beaches. The folk tale has it that the dragons descended from heaven to help locals by spitting jewels and jade to the sea, forming a natural fortress against invaders; these precious stones are represented by the lush green outcrops. Several islands boast beautiful grottos and caves with contiguous chambers, hidden ponds and peculiar stone formations.[3]

24. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.[4]

25. Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil

Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. During the rainy season of November – March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second.[5]

26. Twelve Apostles, Australia

Bamboos for: emmettanderson
Witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria’s dramatic coastline. Created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10-20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore.[6]

27. Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Bamboos for: tychay | Christopher Chan | *~Dawn~*
Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.[7]

28. Meteora, Greece

Meteora is an area in Thessaly (Central Greece) and Kalampaka is the city underthe rock towers of Meteora. The thing that makes Meteora so special isthe monasteries on the top of the rock towers. The monasteries,the amound of peaks to climb and the paths for hikingbrings in Meteora the whole year many tourists.[8]

29. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Bamboos for: Piero… | Andres_age | rsepulveda | dirkoneill
The Perito Moreno Glacier is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the south west of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine Patagonia. The 250 km2 (97 sq mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes system shared with Chile. This icefield is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.[9]

30. Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

Bamboos for: Moyan_Brenn | Paul Fundenburg
The sky never seems so blue as when viewed through the window of a Claron sandstone pinnacle in Bryce Canyon National Park. Although it is the smallest of Utah’s national parks at 35,835 acres, Bryce Canyon contains an outsized number of some of the most beautiful, unlikely rock formations on earth. This Dr. Seussian landscape of towering spires, fins, arches, and mazes is fodder for the imagination and a delight to the eyes.[10]

31. Seychelles

Bamboos for: dibaer | rachel_thecat | seychelles.travel
Mother Nature was very generous with these 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean and has spoiled them rotten. Undeniably, the beaches are the big attraction, and what beaches: exquisite ribbons of white sand lapped by topaz waters and backed by lush hills and big glacis boulders. With such a dreamlike setting, the Seychelles is, unsurprisingly, a choice place for a honeymoon.[11]

32. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza are the most famous monuments of ancient Egypt. These massive stone structures were built around 4500 years ago on a rocky desert plateau close to the Nile. But the intriguing Egyptian pyramids were more than just tombs for kings. The mysteries surrounding their symbolism, design and purpose have inspired passionate debate. It is likely that many of these mysteries will never be solved…[12]

33. Azores

Bamboos for: Patxi64 | eduardowallenstein | F H Mira | joeri-c
The Azores are nine different islands of adventure, nine delightful surprises. You can see dolphins and whales frolicking in the sea or volcanic landscapes covered in green. Then there are the stunning, lilac-coloured hydrangeas that provide hedges for the meadows; the blue and green lakes; the craters of extinct volcanoes and the steam rising from the land. The volcanic activity here means that you can even have your meal cooked under the ground!Inland you can go mountain climbing and walking through the countryside. Or you can stick to the coast and go diving and swimming.[13]

34. Positano, Italy

Positano is one of the highlights to visit when you come to Italy. With all its chic hotels, apartments and fancy restaurants it’s managed to maintain its traditional character. The stunning coastline from Capo di Sorrento to Positano is an adventure on itself. Not many people know that Positano is originally not a fishermans village, but a mountain village. During the 14th and 15th century the little villages along the Amalfi Coast acted as an independent country. To protect themselves they built their houses and churches high on and inside the mountain rocks.Between the 16th century and the beginning of the 19th century the Italian people, forgot this beautiful village and in place, the intellectuals and artists rediscovered the magic of Positano. Now Positano is one of Italy’s most exclusive resorts, attracting celebrities, artists, musicians and writers for many decades.[14]

35. Tanah Lot, Bali

Bamboos for: fabiogis50 | mikaku | Christopher Chan
Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan Regency. The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction, is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese gods. Tanah Lot has a long history in the world of tourism. The temple itself is built on a small promontory which is only accessible at low tide. During high water the rock takes on the appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape. Poisonous snakes live in the nearby caves to ‘guard’ the temple and contribute to the temple’s dangerous reputation.[15]

36. Palawan Island, Philippines

Bamboos for: mr.Alexander | Storm Crypt
Palawan has been included in the list of protected areas, thus becoming the biggest nature reserve in the world. Aside from snorkeling and swimming, Palawan Islands Philippines provides viable opportunities for underwater exploration. With all these attractions, you are sure to find yourself breathless with your Palawan vacation with all the nature’s beauty found in Palawan Island. Palawan is indeed a nature’s heaven place to visit.[16]

37. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Bamboos for: Inti
Angel Falls is a waterfall in Venezuela. It is the world’s highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). Angel Falls is one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions, though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair. The falls are located in an isolated jungle, and a flight from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar is required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river trips to the base of the falls. River trips generally take place from June to December, when the rivers are deep enough for the wooden curiaras used by the Pemon guides. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water seen than in the other months (this can be clearly seen in the photos of the falls above).[17]

38. Tianzi Mountains, China

Bamboos for: Richard J… | john0philip | whertha | mke1963 | Salander, lacitadelle
Hundreds of waters and thousands of peaks are in the Tianzi Mountains. What an uncanny work of art by Nature. The highest peak of the mountains is 1262.5 meters above sea level. Around it is rolling ridges and peaks and high picturesque rocks. On the top of the mountains, one can have a bird ‘ s eye view of numberless inter winding hills and deep valleys of the Wulingyuan area as well as downpouring waterfalls and lofty old pines in drifting mists and clouds. There are different sights when seasons and weather change, Sometimes it is fine with blue sky, which gives one a sense of strength and vastness. Sometimes it is full or clouds and mists, which gives one a sense of mystery of if in fairyland.[18]

39. Uluru, Australia

Bamboos for: Franco Caruzzo | TheCreativePenn
Ayers Rock/ Uluru, the world’s largest monolith and an Aboriginal sacred site is Australia’s most famous natural landmark. Visitors may wish to make the tough 1.6km ascent to the top or take a walking tour around the rock with an aboriginal guide , learning about its fascinating history with the Uluru people and its importance in dreamtime legend.[19]

40. Hamilton Pool, Texas, USA

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole which was designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in 1990. Located 3/4 mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon. The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a trickle. However, the pool’s water level stays pretty constant, even during periods of drought.[20]

41. Hey, wait, there’s only 40 places here! Which place will you suggest to be the 41st?

Back to Part I



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1 comment:

  1. Unknown17 August 2013 at 23:28

    I love Bagan Myanmar.Very happy that it is listed here

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