6 epic natural wonders of the world

The first known list of the ‘seven wonders of the world’ was compiled by Greek scholars and included landmarks and monuments such as the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. Of the original list only one wonder still exists today and that is the Great Pyramid of Giza. In today’s modern world, new lists from the ‘Natural Wonders of the World’ to the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ have cropped up with choices including The Great Barrier Reef, Machu Picchu, The Taj Mahal and more. Whilst there will never be a definitive list agreed by everyone, here are a few more worth seeing. Red Beach, Panjin, China Prepare to be visually amazed at the vision of red before you. Although not strictly a ‘beach’ as such, Red Beach is actually the biggest wetland and reed marsh in the world. It is an ecosystem home to over 260 species of bird and 399 forms of wildlife. The seaweed starts growing around April/May and starts off as a green colour. The colour eventually transforms to a vibrant red as seen around the autumn period. The Marble Cathedral, Patagonia, Chile See the surreal looking mineral formations at General Carrera Lake in Chile, the second largest freshwater lake in South America. Take a boat trip and see The Marble Cathedral which has evolved from many years of erosion resulting in stunning marble walls and distinctive shapes. The water of the lake is beautifully turquoise and adds to the surreal nature of the surroundings. Bamboo Forest, Sagano, Japan Wind through the beautiful bamboo forest in Sagano on a picturesque path by foot or by bicycle. The bamboo forest is particularly inviting on a day filled with sunshine and evokes a charmed atmosphere with not just the visuals, but also the sounds of the forest itself. Bamboo is a useful resource in Japan and can be stronger than steel. Rainbow Mountains, Danxia, China More fitting in a dream landscape, the Rainbow Mountains in China are a geological sensation set in Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park. From shades of orange, yellow to blues and reds the Rainbow Mountains are a sight to behold. The natural formations have been formed over thousands of years and the park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2010. Lake Retba, Senegal, Africa Visit Lake Retba in Senegal and see just how pink the lake is. Located in the north of the Cap Vert Peninsula of Senegal, Lake Retba is at its pinkest during the dry season between November and June. The state of the waters is caused by the algae producing a red pigment which turns the lake a wonderfully pink hue. The manner of how pink the lake can get depends on the salt content if the lake, with a high content changing it to a deeper shade of red. Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina An awe inspiring glacier which is actually still growing in size! Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the biggest glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and it is located in Los Glaciares National Park. The peninsula offers breath taking views of almost 4km of walkways and don’t worry about slipping over on the ice as visitors are given ice cleats to wear. One of the best experiences is seeing the sight of large blocks of ice breaking away from the impressive glacier and hearing the eruptions from it. Louise Cheng is Marketing Manager at Holidays Please. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.