8 Natural Wonders That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust

If you’ve ever visited the beach, mountains, or simply sat and watched the sunset, you’ve seen how gorgeous nature can be. Whether it’s breathtaking views, the sounds of the rainforest, or a clear starry sky, nothing is simultaneously as mind-blowing and peaceful as mother nature.

While we all know of the 7 Wonders of the World, there are countless natural wonders of the world. From a red lake where flamingos flock to a colorful mountain, here are eight incredible examples of nature at its finest.

1. Stone Pillars in China

In China’s ZhÄngjiÄjiè National Forest Park, these quartzite sandstone pillars can be seen shooting into the sky from the ground and are “a result of thousands of years of erosion.” Around these pillars are acres of lush green trees and tons of wildlife.

2. Grand Prismatic Spring

You can find this gorgeous hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. It’s widely known for its bright colors, which are created from “different species of thermophile (heat-loving) bacteria living in the progressively cooler water around the spring.” Equally as fascinating, you could fit the length of an entire 10-foot building inside of it and it has a diameter of 370 feet.

3. Great Blue Hole

Who knew a hole could be so interesting? The Great Blue Hole is a 410 foot deep sinkhole located off the coast of Belize. It’s amazing in and of itself, but if you’re a scuba diver, put it on your bucket list because it’s filled with marine life and the water is super clear.

4. Bow Fiddle Rock

Another product of erosion, Bow Fiddle Rock can be seen off the coast of Scotland. It took millions of years, the earth’s core heat, shifting tectonic plates, and wear from the water for this enormous beauty to form. Whoever determined diamond was the most impressive stone obviously never made their way to Scotland.

5. Duke’s Nose Point

You can see this site in person with a visit to Lonavala, India. It’s a popular spot for hikers to visit because “Although the cliffs are very steep, the rock at the top is flat and enables tourists to walk along the sides.” If there were ever the perfect spot for an Instagram picture, it’s here.

6. Laguna Colorada

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nostalgia y flamingos ||🦩

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The Laguna Colorada is a natural lake that sits above sea level in Bolivia. It gets its unique color thanks to red algea. As gorgeous as it is to look at, it’s even more amazing to see the wildlife around it. Flamingos, “llamas, alpacas, Andean foxes, ​cats, and pumas” can be often be found hanging around or taking a dip in the lake.

7. Havasupai Falls

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#falls #arizona

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The Grand Canyon itself is one of the world’s most beloved natural wonders, but at the bottom of it lies the Havasupi Falls, which can only be reached by hiking, horseback, or helicopter. The gorgeous turquoise water rivals the Caribbean and the waterfalls crash down from anywhere between 40 and 200 feet above.

8. Rainbow Mountain

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Rainbow Mountains, Peru 🇵🇪🌈

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Rainbow Mountain has always been part of the Peru landscape, but it wasn’t until recent years that its colorful beauty was revealed when the once-constant snow on top of it melted. According to its official website, “This rainbow-like appearance is created by the sediment of minerals throughout the area.” If you’re an experienced hiker, you can trek the mountain (and see alpacas and llamas along the way) but be sure to pack extra clothes, because temperatures dip below zero degrees at night.

This barely scratches the surface of all the beauty nature has to offer, but it does lend some new destinations to your travel list. Be sure to share it with your fellow travelers (and anyone who loves a good natural wonder), too.

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