Where to go on your first trip to China
June 23, 2025
The world’s most breathtaking landscapes
|This planet of ours is bursting with natural wonder. Across every continent, nature has carved out scenes so beautiful they almost defy belief. In this blog, we’ve curated fifteen of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, each one offering a glimpse into the awe-inspiring power and diversity of our Earth. Whether you’re dreaming of your next great escape or simply need a dose of wanderlust, these unforgettable places are sure to stir your imagination.
South Africa
Namaqualand flowers
This world-famous riot of colorful blooms paints the otherwise dull landscape in brilliant technicolor when the spring flowers arrive. Beginning in the Northern Cape in late July or early August, depending on the timing and quantity of the winter rains, and then moving south to bloom on the west coast by late August and September, the display transforms the region into one of South Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Blyde River Canyon
At 25 kilometres long and with an average depth of 750 metres Blyde River Canyon is one of the planet’s largest canyons. Take the Panorama route to see the most breathtaking landscapes of the green clad flanks and the Three Rondavels rock formation.
Vietnam
Mu Cang Chai
The most spectacular rice terraces in Vietnam corrugate the hillsides of the Mu Cang Chai region, where villages perch among the emerald hillsides and the views down the valley are simply astonishing. This region is not only one of the most photogenic on earth, but also showcases some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking landscapes. Make sure you bring your camera, every turn offers a picture-perfect moment.
Bai Tu Long Bay
This is the lesser-known equivalent of the more crowded Halong Bay, offering the same staggering land and seascapes with dramatic eruptions of rock scattered throughout the bay, best explored on an overnight cruise so you can enjoy the beautiful karst scenery at sunset and sunrise.
Kyrgyzstan
Song Kol
At a breathtaking altitude of 3,000 meters, staggeringly scenic Song Kol Lake lies in the central Tien Shan range, seducing everyone who passes with its indigo depths and surrounding snow-dusted peaks. This is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most breathtaking landscapes, where nomadic herdsmen often set up yurt camps on the lake shore, adding to the timeless, tranquil beauty of the scene.
Tien Shan mountains
The idyllic Grigorievskoe Gorge, not far from the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, is a haven for hikers and horseriders who enjoy the stunning, pristine alpine scenery of the gorge. Discover lush green mountain slopes strewn with flowers and clear rushing streams surrounded by towering peaks.
Japan
Mount Fuji
Enjoy unrivaled views of Mount Fuji when you visit Hakone National Park, a blissful region of undulating trails, mountaintop shrines, and the jewel in the crown – Ashi Lake. Surrounded by forests that blaze with color in autumn, this area is one of Japan’s most breathtaking landscapes. The sight of Mount Fuji reflected in the serene waters of the lake is nothing short of unforgettable.
Blue Pond, Hokkaido
As the water from Mount Tokachi churns down Shirahige Falls, it collects aluminum and other minerals which are said to account for the intense hue of the Blue Pond – the body of water found at the waterfall’s end. Bare, birch tree trunks emerge from the pond giving it an ethereal beauty.
Argentina & Chile: Patagonia
Torres del Paine
Three dramatic towers of rock form the centerpiece of the Paine Massif, creating one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Chilean Patagonia. These striking peaks lend their name to the surrounding national park, where you’ll encounter iconic views of vivid lakes, vast pampas, and the frozen beauty of glaciers.
Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the most jaw-dropping beautiful landscapes in all of South America, the electric blue Perito Moreno glacier is an incredible sight. Viewed from a boat, a viewing platform or a hiking trail, it cannot fail to impress with 74 metre tall walls of ice creaking ever onward. You can even hike on the glacier surface if you dare!
Bhutan
Bumthang Valley
A collection of four serene and lovely valleys makes up the Bumthang region, all of them forming part of Bhutan’s most breathtaking landscapes. Dotted with traditional monasteries, farms, and delightful villages, the valley floors unfold as a patchwork of apple orchards, dairy pastures, and fields of rice and buckwheat.
Punakha region
Cut through by rushing rivers and surrounded by the mighty Himalayan backdrop, the scenery around Punakha is magnificent. Marvel at the serene situation of the Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, or admire views of the whole valley from the lofty temple of Khamsum Yulley Namgyal.
Indonesia
Gunung Bromo, Java
A cluster of volcanic cones sits inside one huge crater, a nine-kilometer-wide plateau believed to have formed from a massive ancient eruption. As part of one of Indonesia’s most breathtaking landscapes, Mount Bromo is a popular destination for watching the sunrise from the crater rim, where the low morning light highlights the surreal detail of this otherworldly terrain.
Raja Ampat
Pristine underwater worlds are the major draw in Raja Ampat’s remote islands, but the scenery above the waves is impressive, too. Stunning limestone outcrops rise sheer from the azure water known for its amazing visibility and biodiversity, while paradise beaches fringe the larger islands.
Tanzania
Serengeti
Landscapes don’t get much more majestic than the Serengeti, where vast skies stretch across classic African savannahs, endless horizons are punctuated by acacia trees, and you truly grasp the meaning of wilderness. These breathtaking landscapes set the stage for the awe-inspiring wildlife that calls the Serengeti home.
The roof of Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in all of Africa, standing at a sky-piercing height of 5,895 meters. It rises from the surrounding plains in isolation, making it one of the most impressive sights on the continent. Whether you view from afar or brave the summit, this is undeniably one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.
Philippines
Siquijor island
Exquisite Siquijor boasts sleepy villages slung along the shore with green mountains rising behind and perfect aquamarine seascapes in front. If you ever tear yourself away from the mesmerizing beaches, head to Cambugahay Falls for another perfect tropical scene.
Giant’s teardrops
The Chocolate Hills are a bizarrely uniform cluster of more than 1500 conical mounds scattered throughout central Bohol. These grassy hillocks formed naturally over millennia, though legend states that they are petrified tears of a giant. They get their name because in the dry season the grasses turn a rich brown.
Namibia
Sossusvlei
If it’s stark beauty you’re searching for, you’ve found it. Sossusvlei is a region of breathtaking landscapes, where russet dunes soar to heights of up to 300 meters, glowing a striking red against the deep blue sky. Deadvlei, the most photogenic of them all, features its white salt pan and red dunes, with desiccated black trees adding to the dramatic scenery.
Skeleton coast
Named for the hundreds of shipwrecks scattered along the remote and windswept northwest Namibian coast, this hauntingly beautiful stretch of dunes is lashed by desert winds which create a thick fog where they meet the cold Benguela current. A little spooky and unsettling, but there’s a beauty in the barren expanses of sand, sea and sky.
Brazil
Iguazu Falls
In the rainy season 13,000 cubic meters of water thunder over almost 3 kilometers of cliffs every second, plunging 80 meters in a spectacular show of nature’s raw power. Viewing decks allows you to get as close as you dare to the falls, and there are rainforest trails nearby, too.
Guanabara Bay
Best known as the remarkable backdrop for one of the world’s most beautifully sited cities – Rio de Janeiro – Guanabara Bay is an incredible collection of conical mountains and sparkling sea. There can be few landscapes as iconic and jaw dropping as this one, with Sugar Loaf mountain and Corcovado, pedestal of Christ the Redeemer, among the world’s most recognisable.
Argentina
Fitz Roy
Explore the landscapes around El Chalten on foot or on horseback, making your priority the unmissable sight of the Fitz Roy massif with its sharks teeth pinnacles and pristine wilderness all around. Breathtaking lakes and glaciers are also accessible, so you will never be short of staggering vistas.
Mendoza
The undulating landscape at the foot of the Andes around Mendoza provides some of the best wine-growing conditions in Argentina, and happily, it is also very easy on the eye, too. Dotted with historic wineries tucked in among the striped green hillsides with snowy peaks behind, the Mendoza region is very photogenic indeed.
China
Yangshuo karst formations
The Li River is like a silver ribbon winding its way around and between the stunning karst hills of Yangshuo, and the riverbanks are a checker board of small fields full of crops. Take a boat trip to admire the jaw-dropping landscape up close, or visit viewpoints for a birds eye view.
Huangshan mountains
Stunning doesn’t really cover it – the Huangshan Mountains have an ethereal mystery and dramatic geology that makes them seem like they have been lifted from the pages of a fairytale. With numerous needle peaks piercing the swirling mist, it’s easy to see why this is the land of legends, inspiring Chinese artists and poets for many centuries.
Jordan
Wadi Rum
Monumental chunks of russet granite erupt from the orange Wadi Rum sand, adding color and drama to this desert landscape that has been the backdrop to so many movies. Camp out with the Bedouin to experience the peace and beauty of the Jordanian desert as well as the brilliant night sky.
Dana Nature Reserve
Tumbling from a lofty 1700 meters right down to 50 meters, the landscape of Dana is monumental. For the best views head to Dana village, a cluster of 15th-century stone houses overlooking the sweep of the Wadi Araba. As well as the drama of the surroundings, there’s unusual wildlife to spot here, too.
Belize
Blue hole
The most famous image of Belize is the marine sinkhole known as the Great Blue Hole which pierces the Lighthouse Reef atoll in a perfect circle 300 meters across, a deep inky blue fading to azure around its circumference. It’s a legendary destination for divers and snorkelers.
Cockscomb Basin
Although you are unlikely to spot a jaguar in this Wildlife Sanctuary, it has the highest density of these big cats in the world. What you will find are amazing natural gems. Delve into the furthest corners of the park for picturesque waterfalls, rugged cliffs, exotic wildlife and all that verdant jungle vegetation.
Nepal
Phoksundo Lake
The deepest freshwater lake in Nepal sits at 3,611 meters altitude and makes a scenic stopover on the ten-day trek named after it. Water enters the lake via several streams of meltwater which trickle down from the Himalayan peaks around it, making the water very cold and giving it a stunning deep turquoise color.
Sarangot views
Take a sunrise trip to the peak of Sarangot Mountain from where the panorama takes in a broad sweep of the Himalayas including Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri peaks, the Pokhara Valley, and the town’s lakes. It’s also a great base for adrenaline sports, so you can admire the Himalayas from a paraglider, too.
Make it happen
There’s so much beauty and wonder out there, and so little time to see it all. When you have narrowed down your preferred destination, you can contact our local partners directly for their expert input and advice.
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