TOP 10 BEAUTYFUL PLACES IN INDIA

1.Deserts of Jaisalmer

Camel Safari is one of the most memorable and delightful experiences you can have. It gives you an exclusive approach to discover colorful villages in Rajasthan. Travel through the crests and troughs of the naturally formed Sand Dunes on a camel back and experience the essence of life in the Jaisalmer region. Once the night falls, gather around a campfire and enjoy a luxurious treat of cultural performances like lambada dance by the locals.

2.Lake Pichola

One of the highlights of the beautiful city of Udaipur, Rajasthan is Lake Pichola. The lake overlooks the Lake Palace, making for a fantastic setting. Lake Pichola, like other lakes in Udaipur, were built over dams in order to serve the water and irrigation needs of the people of the city.The lake serves as the ideal spot for a romantic boat ride with your better half. During the migratory season, you can see some species of birds too by the lake, making it an even more beautiful site.

3.Matheran

The smallest hill station of India, but nevertheless beautiful, is Matheran in Maharashtra. Located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of about 2600 feet above sea level, it is about 90 km from the city of Mumbai. Vehicles are banned in this hill station, and the only way to reach it is via a short train journey. The absence of vehicles means you are greeted with really fresh mountain air which replenishes your soul. Trek to Panorama Point here and you are greeted with gorgeous, 360 degree views of the surrounding scenery.

4.Golden Temple

If you thought only nature constitutes beautiful places in India, the Golden Temple in Amritsar could make you eat your words. The upper floors of this religious landmark for the Sikhs are actually made of gold, which gives the temple its name. Even after the hostile attacks during the times of Sikh terrorism, the temple hasn’t lost any of its charm. You can feel the prevailing calm here. For those interested in architecture, the Golden Temple offers loads. It is the confluence of Hindu, Muslim and European architectural principles, making it a masterpiece in its own right.

5.Alleppey

Kerala is known as “God’s Own Country” for its beautiful natural treasure. One of the best places to experience the natural beauty of Kerala is Allepey. Stay in a houseboat and take a tour of the backwaters of the Alleppey for a romantic experience. While taking the cruise, do not forget to visit the quaint villages which are located by the backwaters. A trip to a local toddy shop completes this amazing experience in the lap of Mother Nature.

6. Dal Lake

Dal lake, the iconic destination of the Kashmir valley, also referred to as heaven on earth is one of the bollywood’s favorite shooting sights. The mughal gardens  by the lake’s shore go back to jehangir’s reign and the shikaras, houseboats in the lake are the best way to  embark upon the nature. [Never visited Kashmir? Here are 5 reasons why you should.]

7.Khajjiar

This beautiful place bears a very striking resemblance to switzerland’s topography, the well known romanticizing location. Khajjar is located at the foot of dhauladkar , in the lap of Himalayas and is 2000 metres above sea level. A beautiful panoramic view of the densely populated forests and the meadows and snowy peaks of Himalayas can be captured. Summer months are the best to visit this place as it wouldn’t be too cold and the hill station would be laden with beautiful flowers.

8.Rohtang Pass

‘Pile of corpses’ [Sounds scary? Try our post on the most haunted places in India] is how the literal translation is for Rohtang pass, for all the people who lost their lives while crossing the pass and yet in the recent times it has become one of the most popular tourist spot, attracting thousands of  people with its captivating beauty. Rohtang pass happens to be one of the few destinations in india where one can go sking as it snows for almost all the months of the year. However, it is closed for 6 months every year so be ready to witness swarms of people in the other 6 months waiting to explore this 13,000 feet high destination.

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beautiful places to visit in China

1. Anhui: Hongcun Ancient Village (安徽宏村)

The 900-year-old village of Hongcun has long drawn in-the-know Chinese visitors, who love its tranquil vibe and distinctive architecture.

The striking Huangshan mountain backdrop (see No. 2) doesn't hurt, either.

Its classic structures, Moon Lake and picturesque locals have been an inspiration for art students for decades.

Walking the narrow lanes paved with quartzite and seeing farmers working in rice fields, with the reflection of ancient houses in the lake, should provide enough material to get you started on your own visual masterpiece.

Admission: RMB 104 (US$16)

Hongcun Village is roughly 70 kilometers northwest of the city of Huangshan in Anhui Province. Major cities connected to Huangshan Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an.

2. Anhui: Mount Huangshan (安徽黄山)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site set amidst “the loveliest mountains of China,” Mount Huangshan, aka Mount Yellow, is a once-in-a-lifetime trek for many Chinese.

The 1,863-meter mountain is renowned for its oddly shaped pines, spectacular rock formations, hot springs and seas of misty and melancholy clouds.

A trip here provides a mountain of feeling.

Admission fee: RMB 230 between March 1-November 30, RMB 150 between December 1-February 28,

Major cities connected to Huangshan Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi'an.

3.Fujian: Xiapu Mudflat (福建霞浦)

Yes, a humble mudflat is a favorite destination of Chinese photographers.

A small region along the southeast China coastline, Xiapu nevertheless has the largest mudflat in the country, encompassing 40 square kilometers and more than 400 kilometers of coastline.

Along its tiger-striped beaches, bamboo structures and poles, buoys and fishing vessels provide human counterpoints to the area's natural beauty.

Admission fee: Free

The nearest hub of Xiapu Mudflat is Fuzhou, provincial capital of Fujian. It's about 175 kilometers away.

Major cities connected to Fuzhou Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xi’an.

4. Guangxi: Yangshuo (广西阳朔)

When the Chinese long for views of the nation’s most scenic hills and rivers, they book a bamboo-boat cruise in Yangshuo.

The riverside town in southern China is most famous for its karst hills and traditional fishing-village lifestyle.

Downtown is touristy.

Visitors can rent bikes and head to the countryside to find a more calming scene: bamboo boats chugging along the river, fishermen setting out with cormorants, farmers toiling in fields with lush peaks soaring high above.

Most travelers reach Yangshuo from Guilin. Buses bound for Yangshuo leave every 15 minutes from Guilin Bus Station on Zhongshan Lu and Guilin South Railway Station. The journey takes around 90 minutes and the fare is about RMB 15 per person. 

5.Guizhou: Huangguoshu Waterfall (贵州黄果树瀑布)

The highest waterfall in Asia, majestic Huangguoshu "Yellow Fruit Tree" Waterfall plunges a dramatic 77.8 meters across a 101-meter-wide span.

It's one of a handful of mammoth waterfalls in the world that's accessible for viewing from almost any angle -- from above, below, front, back, left or right.  

The best visiting season is June to August, when the water reaches a peak flow of 700 cubic meters per second.

Admission fee: RMB 180 between March 1-October 31; RMB 160 between Novermber 1-February 28

The nearest traffic hub to Huangguoshu Waterfall is Huangguoshu Airport. It's about six kilometers away. Major cities connected to Huangguoshu by direct flights include Beijing and Guangzhou.

6.Hainan: Guanyin Statue (海南南山海上观音像)

Look beyond the beaches of Sanya to find the world’s largest Guanyin statue, erected near Nanshan, China’s southernmost mountain.

The story goes that the three-sided statue faces mainland China, Taiwan and the rest of the South China Sea -- meaning that the bodhisattva blesses not only China, but the whole world.

At 108 meters tall, the figure was raised and enshrined in 2005 and is one of the tallest statues on the planet.

Admission: RMB 150

The Guanyin Statue is located within Hainan’s Nanshan Culture Tourism District, which is some 40 kilometers from downtown Sanya. Shuttle buses are available between Yalong Bay and Nanshan.

7.Hainan: Yalong Bay (海南省亚龙湾)

Hainan delivers the best tropical setting in China. Yalong Bay is the pinnacle of the resort getaway.

The 7.5-kilometer crescent beach is the most popular and developed stretch of Hainan’s southern coastline.

It provides all the quintessential experiences of a Southeast Asian holiday, with as many luxury hotels as palm trees -- more than 20 international luxury hotels line the beach of Yalong Bay.

The beach is also a haven for water sports warriors, including surfers who sometimes ride uncrowded waves all day.

If you visit in July, August, October or during Spring Festival, you'll be surrounded by Chinese families, mostly sporting old-school swimsuits.

Yalong Bay is 28 kilometers southeast of Sanya. Sanya Airport operates flights to all major Chinese cities, as well as nine international cities including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul.

8.Hebei: Chengde Mountain Resort/Rehe Palace  (河北承德避暑山庄/热河行宫)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this mountain resort was once a summer palace used by Qing Dynasty emperors on holiday.

Delicate gardens and a 70-meter pagoda remain.

Lush grasslands, marvelous mountains and tranquil valleys still make it a cool place to avoid the heat. 

Admission fee: RMB 120

Shuttle buses depart from Beijing to Chengde hourly during the day, ticket is RMB 50

9.Heilongjiang: Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin  (黑龙江省哈尔滨市圣索非亚大教堂)

The largest Orthodox church in East and Southeast Asia stands in China’s most Russian-accented city, Harbin.

Russian expats built the 54-meter-tall, 721-square-meter neo-Byzantine structure in the early 20th century as a spiritual symbol for the local Orthodox community after the Russian-Japanese War.

The church was used as a warehouse by the Communist Party for about two decades and is now a state-run museum showcasing the city’s architecture, art and heritage.

Admission: RMB 15

88 Xiulong Jie, Daoli District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 黑龙江省哈尔滨市道里区透笼街88号

10.Jiangsu: Brahmā Palace (江苏梵宫)

Feng shui and Buddhism have deep influences on China.

Both can be found at Brahmā Palace.

Beneath the foot of Little Lingshan Mountain, and near Taihu Lake and the 88-meter-tall Lingshan Giant Budda, the palace epitomizes Chinese feng shui -- it's surrounded by mountains and water, portending both good fortune and health.

Built for the Second World Buddhism Forum in 2009, the Buddhist theme park is filled with luxury, with gold and glamour gilding many surfaces.

Admission fee: RMB 210

Major cities connected to Wuxi Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou.

11.Zhejiang: Yunhe Rice Terrace (浙江云和梯田)

Literally meaning "peaceful clouds," Yunhe and its surrounding rice terraces have been home to farmers for at least 1,000 years.

Winding in a maze up mountainsides from 200 to 1,400 meters, individual terraces can be constructed of as many as 700 layers.

Rainy days are the best time to visit, when steam from evaporating river water floats through the terraces, creating a kind of agricultural dreamscape.

Admission fee: RMB 80

Yunhe County is 67 kilometers southwest of Lishui city. Shuttle buses between Yunhe and Lishui are available at Lishui Train Station. To get to Lishui, take a train from big cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing.

12.Zhejiang: Nanxi River (浙江楠溪江)

With its mountain backdrop and shores lined with ancient houses, the Nanxi River inevitably became the cradle of classic Chinese water-and-ink painting.

By drifting down the Nanxi River on a bamboo craft, travelers can enjoy views of locals doing laundry along the river and fishermen employing traditional methods of using cormorants to catch fish. The xiangyu is a rare freshwater fish unique to the Nanxi.

The nearest traffic hub to Nanxi River is Wenzhou, a major city in Zhejiang Province. It's about 23 kilometers away.

Major cities connected to Wenzhou Airport by direct flights include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou.

There are nine established drifting routes on the river, ranging from one to 10 kilometers in length.

Fee for bamboo catamaran drifting: RMB 30-70, depending on route.

13.Sichuan: Hailuogou Glacier National Park (四川海螺沟)

Also known as "Conch Gully," Hailuogou park sits at the eastern foot of Gonggar Mountain in southwest China's Sichuan province.

According to legend, the gully was a wasteland until a renowned Tibetan monk played his treasured conch there and attracted many animals, who became so enchanted with the place that they took up residence. To memorialize the monk and his conch, the gully ever after became known as Conch Gully.    

The magnificent glacier, which drives through woodlands, cliffs, peaks and gullies, is accessible all year round. It appears at its best in early morning sunshine.

More than 10 hot springs are spread beneath the glacier. Two are open to the public, including one at an elevation of 2,600 meters.

Admission: RMB 70 for the national park and RMB 120 for hot springs.

The nearest traffic hub to Hailuogou Glacier National Park is Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province. It's about 300 kilometers away.

Major cities connected to Chengdu Airport by direct flights include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi'an.

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15 beautiful places to visit in Korea

1. Seongsan Sunrise Peak (성산일출봉)

Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater 5,000 years ago on Jeju Island.

A UNESCO world heritage site, the peak is famous for many things, including numerous rare plant species, but is best known for the magnificent sight of the sun rising over it (hence the name).

The climb up the peak’s northwest side ridge (its other sides are steep cliffs) to the 180-meter highest point takes 30 minutes. 

1 Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 성산리 1번지)

More on CNNGo: How to visit Jeju Island on a dime

2. Gwang-An Bridge (부산 광안대교)

Also known as the Diamond Bridge, this two-story bridge connects Suyeong-gu and Haeundae-gu and offers an astonishing view of mountains, sandy beaches, hills and city lights. 

Kwang-An Bridge is not for pedestrians, but anyone can enjoy the spectacular night view of the bridge from afar; its state-of-the-art lighting system allows an exterior lighting of over 100,000 colors.

Suyeong-gu, Busan (부산광역시 수영구)

3.Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae (진해 경화역)

This small whistle-stop bustles with tourists and amateur photographers every spring. 

Cherry blossoms rain down on the train track and countless shutters click madly away as the train approaches the station under the cherry blossom tunnel. 

The cherry blossom road at Yeojwa stream, (number 17 on this list) is also nearby for those who want more photo-ops. 

Kyeongwha-dong, Jinhae-gu, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 창원시 진해구 경화동)

4. Upo Marsh (우포늪)

At 2,314 kilometers squared, Upo Marsh is the largest inland wetland in Korea and thrice the size of Yeouido. Formed over 140 million years ago, the marsh is home to 1,500 plants and animals, some of which are endangered species.

Visitors can bike or walk around this beautiful natural swamp, where migratory birds are known for flying low. 

Daedae-ri, Yueo-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 창녕군 유어면 대대리)

5. Jeungdo Salt Farm (전남 신안 증도 염전) 

This treasure island (artifacts from the Song Dynasty have actually been found at the bottom of the sea) is famous for its clear seawater, soft beach, and salt farms.

The magical sight of huge salt farms is not the only spectacle that can be found here; the mud flat leisure town allows tourists to experience and observe the marine life of the mud flat. 

Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 신안군 증도면)

6. Gongryong Ridge, Seorak Mountain (설악산 신선대 공룡능선)

Physical fitness and mountain climbing experience are prerequisites to viewing these curious peaks in the Seorak mountain range. 

Thought to be shaped like the spine of a dinosaur (hence the name, "Dinosaur Ridge"), this rocky ridge offers spectacular views of both inner and outer Seorak. 

The climb is no picnic: the peak elevation of Gongryong Ridge, the most popular ridge route in the range, is approximately 1,200 meters. 

Goseong-gun/Yangyang-gun/Inje-gun, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 속초시 고성군, 양양군, 인제군)

7.Uleung Island Seaside Road (울릉도 해안도로)

Uleung Island, nicknamed "Mysterious Island", is a popular weekend getaway spot for Seoulites.

Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Road.

Anyone planning to walk or bike their way around Uleung Island should make sure they set aside enough time, as they will inevitably stop countless times to admire the glorious view.

Uleung-eup, Uleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 울릉군 울릉읍)

8.Bomun Pavilion, Gyeongju (경주 보문정)

Gyeongju, an ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, boasts the nickname "a museum with no walls." 

Bomun Pavilion, a small wooden gazebo standing over a quiet duck pond, is a great spot to experience Korea’s spring; the cherry blossoms fluttering over the pond provide an exquisite sight.

In fact, it's the perfect place to view all of Korea's markedly different seasons: summer's lush green leaves, fall's scarlet and mustard foliage, and winter's blankets of snow.

Bodeok-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 경주시 보덕동)

9. Bulguksa Temple (경주 불국사)

This UNESCO-listed site is perhaps the most famous historic site in Korea. 

Two granite pagodas on either sides of the temple, Dabotap and Seokgatap, as well as Seokguram, a man-made grotto just above the temple, add to the splendid grandeur of this 1,500-year-old home of many important relics. 

15-1 Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 진현동 15-1)

10. Donglim Reservoir, Gochang (고창 동림저수지)

Every year, more than 200,000 spectacled teals (the color takes its name from the bird) fly about in an orderly manner above this beautiful reservoir, which was voted "Kingdom of migratory birds" in 2004 in a national survey. 

Built in 1935, the 3.82-square-kilometer reservoir is also famous as a fishing hole. 

Heungduk-myeon/Sungnae-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전북 고창군 흥덕면/성내면)

11. Samkwang Temple (삼광사 연등축제) 

Samkwang Temple.

The entire temple is strung with countless lotus lanterns and lanterns of other creative forms. 

This year, Buddha's birthday falls on May 28. 

131 Mountain, Choeup-dong, Busan Jin-gu, Busan (부산광역시 부산진구 초읍동 산 131)

12.Chok-suk Pavilion (촉석루) 

This beautiful, historical pavilion overlooking Nam River is most famous as the place where Nongae, the concubine of a government official in the Chosun Dynasty, jumped into the river with a Japanese general after the castle of Jinju fell into Japan’s hands.

Check out the view from the pavilion on the cliff, but don’t jump; they won’t be telling your story in the same way.

573-1 Bonsung-dong, Jinju-si, Kyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 진주시 본성동 573-1)

13. Suncheon Bay (순천만)

One of the biggest coastal marshes in the world, Suncheon Bay is home to countless plants and marine life and features the biggest field of reeds (5.4 kilometers squared) in Korea.

The Suncheon Bay Reed Festival is held every year in October, but the bay is just as beautiful and charming any other month of the year.

162-2 Daedae-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 순천시 대대동 162-2)

14.Sin-Reuk Temple, Yeo Ju (여주 신륵사)

This old riverside temple is relatively unknown to the public and features quite a few treasures including stone pagodas, a stone bell and a grove of zelkova trees.

The temple and its surrounding area also hosts a sweet potato festival early every January. 

282 Cheonsong-ri, Yeoju-eup, Yeoju-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 여주군 여주읍 천송리 282)

15.Royal Azalea Festival, Hwangmae Mountain (황매산 철쭉축제)

At 1,108 meters, Hwangmae Mountain is the highest peak in the Sobaek mountain range, and is covered by royal azalea blossoms every spring. 

The festival runs from the beginning of May for two weeks, and organizers recommend coming at dawn to capture the most intense images on camera. 

1 Mountain, Beoppyeong-ri, Chahwang-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 산청군차황면 법평리 산1번지)

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