After a full year dealing with lockdowns, travel restrictions, social isolation, and pandemic stress, it’s high time for an invigorating return to nature. Spending your time taking in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, which brings an abundance of mental health benefits, not to mention an abundance of memories you will cherish forever.
There is no shortage of gorgeous natural sights to explore, so let’s narrow the list down and take a look at a few of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.
Here are the most beautiful landscapes of the world
- Milford Sound – New Zealand
- Ha Long Bay – Vietnam
- Siem Reap – Cambodia
- Banff National Park – Canada
- Tiger’s Nest monastery – Bhutan
- Luang Prabang surroundings – Laos
- Scenery of Guilin – China
Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand
As a big fan of The Lord of the Rings, I hold a special place in my heart for New Zealand, where the entire trilogy was filmed. Some of the most stunning scenes were shot in the gorgeous Fiordland, home to the first location on our list – Milford Sound.
READ MORE: Here’s our list of the top 10 most beautiful places to visit in the world
Often regarded as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound has cliffs rising straight from the dark waters. It boasts dense forests, wild waterfalls, and some of the most fantastic scenery you’ve ever seen.
Kayaking, cruising, or hiking are the best ways to explore beautiful landscapes like Milford.
Peak months for visiting Milford Sound are between November and March, but if you want to avoid crowds, visit in early spring or autumn. Be prepared for some rain whenever you decide to go, as the location is known for fickle weather.
Visit Ha Long Bay in Vietnam if you want to go on a cruise of a lifetime
Ha Long Bay, meaning ”descending dragon”, is home to thousands of small islands, each more beautiful than the next. Surrounded by mesmerizing jade waters, Ha Long Bay has a diverse ecosystem with thick jungles, unique marine and coastal ecosystems, and astonishing wildlife.
There are plenty of things to do in Ha Long Bay – go kayaking, snorkelling, diving, explore one of the twisting caves in the islets, roam through the floating villages, or visit the most populous Cat Ba island for fine dining, exploring museums, and shopping.
Visit between October and November to avoid the rainy season, although you should prepare for crowds.
READ MORE: Explore Vietnam with our complete Vietnam Travel Guide
Take a walk through history in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is a large city renowned as the gateway to Angkor Wat. It offers excellent experiences for both city dwellers and nature lovers. It has every amenity you need to improve your stay – superb accommodation, delicious food, and the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Although Angkor Wat is genuinely breathtaking, surrounded by incredible nature, what stood out to me when visiting Siem Reap in 2018 was a tour to Phnom Kulen. The mountain range offers incredible views and gorgeous waterfalls and will give you a glimpse into the area’s rich history.
Visit Siem Reap and Phnom Kulen during the dry season between November and April. If you go in November, you might catch the Bon Om Touk water festival!
Explore beautiful landscapes of the Banff national park in Canada
Banff national park is just as wild as it is relaxing. It’s feral yet civilized, remote yet easily accessible. Whether you want to test your hiking skills with a bear spray in your pocket or enjoy fine dining in one of the château-style hotels in town, you’ll find Banff completely irresistible.
It boasts fascinating glaciers and snow-covered mountain tops, dense forests and pristine turquoise lakes. For the best views, visit the Sulphur Mountain and take a ride on the gondola for an incredible sightseeing experience.
Visit between June and August if you want to explore the wilderness of Banff in more comfortable weather.
Reach new heights at the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan
Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Palphug, or Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan is located in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Sitting atop a 900m cliff, it will take some effort to get to the monastery, but the view from the top will remain engraved in your mind forever.
Tiger’s Nest is in itself a sight to behold, but if you’ve come here for the natural wonders, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll see endless hills and mountaintops, valleys, and green forests that will take your breath away.
Don’t miss out on the visit to Drubkhang or Pelphu Lhakhang, as the caves are indeed a marvel.
To enjoy comfortable temperatures and clear weather necessary for enjoying the most beautiful landscapes on earth, visit Tiger’s Nest between October and December.
Marvel at the most beautiful landscapes in the world surrounding Luang Prabang in Laos
Luang Prabang consists of a few dozen small villages that come together to shape this lovely city. Home to invaluable Laos’ cultural and religious heritage, it has incredibly preserved architecture, and yet it remains untamed with undisturbed nature and beautiful landscapes.
Just 30km outside the city sits Tat Kuang Si, a large, ethereal waterfall that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. If you want to get a view of Luang Prabang from the top, climb up Mount Phou Si, explore the temple up top, and take a moment just to meditate.
Like most locations in Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang in Laos is best visited between November and March. However, if you want to get a taste of the Laos culture, visit Luang Prabang in April during the Pi Mai Lao (or Lao New Year) and enjoy partaking in water fights!
Take in the dramatic scenery of Guilin, China
Guilin is a large city in China’s Guangxi Zhuang region, but breathtaking natural vistas and wonders surround it. It’s rightfully known as one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
It boasts dramatic karsts that shoot up from the valleys, gorgeous limestone mountains, and wild, bamboo-rich rivers that offer spiritual serenity. You’ll have to book a cruise to take in all the wonders of Guilin, or alternatively, explore the area the old-fashioned way on a bamboo raft.
March to May and September to November are the best seasons for visiting Guilin as the weather is mild and clear.
The world has spectacular sights to offer, and you won’t go wrong when visiting any of the most beautiful landscapes in the world mentioned here. This list is all but conclusive, but it offers you some of the top locations that’ll make you forget the troubles of the past year.
