Asia, the largest and most populous continent on earth is known for its abundance of culture, beautiful landscapes and natural wonders, from the highest mountain in the world to the sunniest beaches in Maldives.
Listed below are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Asia:
Long Root Bridges, India
The living bridges of Cherrapunji, India are made from the roots of the Ficus elastica tree, enabling the locals to create living bridges from their roots.
A living root bridge is formed by guiding the pliable roots of the Ficus elastica tree across a stream or river, and then allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time until they can hold the weight of a human being.
As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen. New roots can grow throughout the tree’s life and must be pruned or manipulated to strengthen the bridge.
Chocolate Hills, The Phillipines
The Chocolate Hills are a geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres (20 sq mi).
In rainy season these conical hills are more green than chocolate, but once the rains stop the Chocolate Hills turn brown.
Gokyo Cho Lake, Nepal
The main lake that is part of the Gokyo Lakes system, sprawling across Sagarmatha National Park. The glacier fed lakes are embedded in the staggering mountainous surroundings and hold a religious significance by both – Hindus and Buddhists.
Hang Son Doong Cave Vietnam
Located within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hang Son Doong is one of the world’s largest, with its main cavern big enough to house a Boeing 747 plane.
The cave was discovered and explored only in 2010. The jungle, called Garden of Edam by the explorers, is inhabited by monkeys and flying foxes. A real underworld is found in here!
Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
Also known as the Rainbow Mountains, the Zhangye Danxia Landform is a geological wonder of the world as the rock formations and rolling hills almost look as if they were painted.
The Zhangye Danxia National Park is located in the Gansu province in China’s northwest covering 200 square miles. The site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
Rain, wind, and time have further sculpted the rock formations and rolling hills into various displays of pillars and ravines.
