In part two of this in-depth feature article on the most beautiful places in the world. We explore magnificent canyons, majestic temples, subterranean caves, wild national parks and many more amazing one of a kind places.
Travelers go feast your eyes and focus a keen mind on these visual treats taken from all across our remarkable planet.
40. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
The second part of our feature on the most beautiful places in the world begins with the Antelope Canyon near Lake Powell in Arizona, USA.
The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon (which is also known as âCorkscrew Canyonâ, one of the few slot canyons in the area) awaits the brave traveler who seeks to discover one of the most jaw-dropping canyons in the world. Antelope Canyon is one of the little-known attractions of the Lake Powell area. Antelope Canyon deserves far more widespread recognition than it generally receives.
Antelope Canyon in Arizona is one of the most photographed destinations in this part of the world. Antelope Canyon in Arizona offers visitors the chance to witness the stunning canyon walls and rock formations. Unique and vibrant colors that bring forth the different shades of orange, brown and purple rock with curved and twisted canyon features deep inside.
Photo by Alaskan Dude
A tour of this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike. Come to see natureâs surprising masterpiece of color while at Antelope Canyon.
39. Illuminated Cave, Japan
The Illuminated Cave in Okinawa, Japan is a favorite place among the divers because of crystal clear waters and the caves get illuminated because of water reflection.
The beautiful Gyokusendo or illuminated Cave is the second largest series of caves in Japan. It is located in the southern part of Okinawa. The cave system is well worth a trip out. Do not allow the wet or stormy weather to prevent you from visiting the illuminated caves in Japan if you ever get the opportunity.
Photo by Hyougushi
The Illuminated Cave in Okinawa winds through 5km (approximately 3 miles) of deep limestone. Visitors to the cave system actually have the freedom to roam into 900Â metres of well lit and safe passageways.
Yet there are warning signs that inform visitors not to shout or whistle loudly while there. Probably as to not disturb some of the extremely fragile rocks and sensitive overhead stalactites. These fragile rock formations number in their many thousands and could easily fall if loosened by noise.
38. Catedral de Marmol, Patagonia, Chile
Catedral de Marmol in Patagonia, Chile is one of the most beautiful places in the world with large sections of gleaming marble. These marble stone sections weigh over 5000 million tones and carry 94% calcium carbonate.
Catedral de Marmol in Patagonia is near the small town Puerto Tranquilo. It is here that cliffs of pure marble are rising from the lake water at Lake General Carrera. Marble is exposed in the peninsula in a group of islands (consisting of pure marble!) several kilometres north-east from the peninsula.
It has been estimated that the whole block of marble weighs in excess of 5 billion tons. The stone is in light grey color, with frequent darker striation throughout the rock.
This layer of marble at Catedral de Marmol in Patagonia Chile was first exposed to the elements by the movements of glaciers during the Pleistocene epoch many years ago.
The geological history and formation of Lake General Carrera is complex to understand. The lake has changed its outlet and multiple times across the centuries has changed its water level. Lake General Carrera in Chile attained its present water level some 6,250 years prior to the present day.
37. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion is both one of the oldest parks and the most ancient national park in Utah. The lovely set of five national parks offer breathtaking views of the big red rock formations. These stunning rocks look even better during the sunsets with the Sunâs orange glow falling down on to them. Zion National Park is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world.
From three miles up, the Zion National Park map looks like a cluttered desk full of mysterious distant objects. The crosshatch and myriad of rocky canyons etched across the rugged terrain make for a hundred exciting hiking trails in all kinds of contexts and directions and at all levels of walking difficulty.
Zion National Park was the state of Utahâs first federally designated park (since 1919.) The Zion National Park exhibits the oldest geologically formed rock layers found this side of the Grand Canyon, which is some (~150m years old).
Zion National Park is by far Utahâs most visited and popular national park and must number among the most beautiful places in the world. The Utah park gains over 3+ million visitors and explorers annually. The best time to book a trip to Zion National Park is from the months November to April. During this time of year, it is easier for visitors to dodge the warm sticky heat and the larger crowds.
Zion means âthe heavenly city.â In fact, Zion National Parkâs âKolob Canyonsâ is called after a place referred to in Mormon scriptures as being ânear Godâs throne.â Sadly there are no real places of worship in Zion National Park. However, thereâs plenty to inspire heavenly reverence among visitors, including experiencing the magnificent park views alone.
36. Venice, Italy
More occupied by travelers than city residents, Venice in Italy is one of the most romantic and loveliest cities in the world. Venice is probably the number one choice for couples seeking out the most beautiful places in the world to visit on Honeymoon. Or when researching for romantic short breaks.
Venice is the city built on water whose designers and architects were never afraid to attempt the impossible. Even after the plague and war Venice wasnât about to relinquish the world stage. The water city of Venice has gone on to become the launching pad for baroque music and modern opera and is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The city of Venice in Italy offers visitors museums, churches, and architectural wonders at every corner with spectacular lagoon water vistas set between them.
35. Chittorgarh Palace, India
Chittorgarh Palace located in India is the biggest fort in India and the most splendid fort in the state of Rajasthan. The palace and for is the pride of Rajasthan, the palace buildings sprawl over 700 acres on a 180-meter high hill.
Chittorgarh, which is also known as Chittaur, from the 7th century to the 16th, was the capital of Mewar under the Rajput people. Chittaur encourages memories of great bravery and sacrifice in battles that the Rajput men and women had to fight against aggressors from Delhi and from the north of the country.
The palace at Chittaur stood witness to both the perils of war and the victory of the brave. The city stands strewn with monuments and battlements as evidence of the blood and gore that it went through in medieval times.
Some of these battles leave scars that are still visible today. Despite its war-torn history, Chittorgarh Palace is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world.
34. Athabasca Falls At Dusk, Jasper, Alberta, Canada
The Athabasca Falls at Dusk in Canada is one of the most beautiful falls in the Rocky Mountains. Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park is not the highest or the widest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies but it is the most powerful of waterfalls. These falls are 30 km towards the south of townsite of Jasper and without any doubt one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Photo by gcD600
The full width of the Athabasca River is funneled into a large three-metre gap that stands over the brink of the falls. Most of the rock is not actually limestone, it is actually gog quartzite, a rock type which is as strong as steel. It would take a very powerful waterfall with much force to cut through steel and the Athabasca Falls are pretty powerful.
The best time to see the Athabasca Falls at their best is at dusk. The Athabasca Falls make for great photography opportunities at this time of day.
33. Jacobs Well, Texas
Located a few kilometers towards the north of Kimberley in Texas hill country, Jacobs Well is 10 meters deep and flows out of the underwater cave system in Texas.
As the largest underwater cave in Texas, Jacobs Well is considered very dangerous. In fact Jacobs Well has been known to swallow people whole. That said Jacobs Well has also provided a nearly ongoing source of mineral water for many thousands of years. Jacobâs Well is a visual treat, as the water from deep within the well, simply pools out into a large natural spring that siphons off into nearby Cypress Creek.
Photo by Honoo Flammen
Jacobs Well is regarded as one of the most foolhardy dive spots on the planet reserved for only the brave. Jacobâs Well is truly incredible to experience first hand for its impressive visuals alone.
Certainly among the most beautiful places in the world and a great attraction for nature travelers and keen scuba divers.
32. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Taj Mahal is considered as the perfect architecture of art, depicting love. Taj Mahal was built in Agra between the years of 1631 and 1648 by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor in his wifeâs fond memory.
The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble stone. Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in the nation of India. The Taj Mahal is also one of the universally admired masterpieces of construction and beauty in the worldâs heritage.
Photo by Katzbach
The Taj Mahal is regarded by experts to be the greatest architectural achievement in the entire spectrum of Indo Islamic architecture and construction. The Taj Mahal has a globally recognized architectonic style with a distinctive combination of architectural beauty. Including powerful solid walls and empty voids.
These remarkable empty voids cast unique concave and convex light shadows over the high walls. This is noticeable in areas of the Taj Mahalâs unique construction such as across the building arches and high domes. By design this greatly increases the aesthetic aspect of the whole majestic building tenfold.
Even the choice of colors in the surrounding landscaping is utilzed to impressive effect. The colour combination of rich green gardens with a reddish brick path and pale blue sky over it showcases the Taj Mahal in ever-evolving colour shades and light moods. The relief work in marble stone and inlay with precious gems and semi-precious gemstones make the Taj Mahal a monument set apart from any other building in its class.
31. Horsetail Falls, Yosemite National Park
The hidden Horsetail Waterfall, located in El Capitan in Yosemite Valley within the park has now become increasingly popular among tourists because of the magical orange glow it gets during the evening Sunsets.
For a few weeks in February, if the water is flowing in Horsetail Fall, lucky photographers and visitors to Yosemite National Park come together in the waning evening light for an amazing display of nature and beauty. You would be forgiven for thinking that the falls are lava or molten metal from some of the photography often on display.
Not so, as all is cold liquid water. The Horsetail Fall phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun sets the waterfall ablaze with fierce reds and oranges. So while it looks like lava was falling down the cliffs on the shoulder of El Capitan it is actually ice cold water.
The Horsetail Falls phenomenon has lead to the formation of rock in weird and wonderful shapes and the location is a must-see for any visitor to Yosemite National Park.
It is impossible to visit all of the most beautiful places in the world. Well improbable that all of these amazing places will fill the travel bucket list. Experiencing just a few of these stunning destinations will provide any traveler with an enduring feeling of accomplishment and awe.
More of the Most Beautiful Places in the World
Our wondrous planet is always full of surprises and is a magnificent place to wander free in search of indulgent new sights and sounds. Discover exotic islands, breathtaking landscapes and roam amazing cities. All this and more in our guide to the most beautiful places in the world part two.
There you have it part two of our feature on the most beautiful places in the world. Amazing and unique locations worthy of a visit in the real world. Be certain to explore even more amazing worldwide destinations. There are ten more wondrous travel spots to discover in part three.