7 Natural Wonders of Asia

This post is a continuation of my attempt to list 7 natural wonders from every continent, before publishing a global list. If you’ve missed the start of this series you can view the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa for more of an introduction.

Through this process I evaluated natural icons and a few lesser known sites against a criteria I developed for this purpose;

• Naturally formed (not human created, or nature’s response to human activity).
• Definable place (phenomena are allowed but only if connected to the specific place).
• Exhibits Awe/Wonder, Significance (size, historical or cultural value, general importance), and some level of uniqueness.
• Scoring is ultimately subjective and intended to be fun and informative.
• The top 7s are listed in no particular order, with a list of contenders and honourable mentions.
• I’ve converted metric figures (superior measuring system) to imperial, because let’s face it, USA could use a break right now… (and now you know this wasn’t written by AI either).

As it’s unlikely many humans have been to all of these places, I have approached this as academically as possible. Images within this article were not used for judging but are selected from either stock photography libraries I have membership with or creative commons. If you have any suggestions either for new inclusions or compelling reasons why one selection should be made over another feel free to comment.

Here are my 7 Natural Wonders of Asia.

1. Mount Everest (Nepal/Tibet, China)

Everest is perhaps one of the world’s most admired and known natural places, so it’s no surprise that it would make this list. Standing at 8,849m or 29,032ft it is the highest part of the Himalayan range which contains 14 peaks over 8,000m including K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu. Fun fact: Over 8,000m has the nickname ‘the death zone’. The main risk of hypoxia – a lack of sufficient oxygen in the body’s tissues. It leads to a cascade of deadly conditions which is exacerbated by impaired mental function, leading mountaineers to lose rational decision making ability.

On a more positive note, local names of Everest are Sagarmatha (Nepalese) and Chomolungma (Tibetan).

2. Son Doong Cave (Vietnam)

Discovered in 1991 by a local farmer, and explored by British surveyors led by Howard Limbert in 2009, Son Doong Cave is considered the largest cave in the world – despite not being fully mapped. Cave passages measure up to 200m high by 150m wide (656 ft by 492 ft), with the main passage being over 9km (5.6 miles) long.

The system includes its own jungle, river, 70m (230 ft) stalagmites and even its own weather systems. An obstacle that prevented further exploration in 2009 but was revisited in 2010 by climbers was dubbed ‘The Great Wall of Vietnam’ – a 90m (295 ft) high calcite flowstone wall.

3. Zhangjiajie Sandstone Pillars (China)

Nicknamed the ‘Avatar Mountains’, these sandstone pillars can appear to be floating in the sky with the right foggy conditions. The area contains more than 3,100 pillars with 1,000+ pillars over 120m (393ft) tall and 45 over 300m (984ft). The hardy Wulingyuan pines and other conifer trees that grip onto the sides and tops of these pillars offers an extra level of surreal beauty.

4. Lake Baikal (Siberia, Russia)

Baikal is the world’s deepest and oldest lake and is known for stunning ice patterns on its surface during the harsh Winter months. The lake is 25-30 million years old and 1,642m (5387 ft) deep. These extreme conditions and isolation have led to over 1,500 endemic species calling the area home, including the Baikal Seal, and leading to the nickname ‘Galapagos of Russia’.

5. Zhangye Danxia / Rainbow Mountains (China)

Formed from layered sandstone and minerals over 24 million years, these mountains take on huge variation of red, yellow and orange striations. While similar formations exist in South America, China’s Rainbow Mountains are contained in an area of 510km² (192 sq mi) – over 100 times a larger area than its counterparts.

6. Detian / Ban Gioc Falls (China/Vietnam Border)

Asia’s largest waterfall by volume is 200m (656ft) wide and features multiple tiers. While many waterfalls are taller than its 30m (98ft), the Detian / Ban Gioc falls have an incredible aesthetic beauty, surrounded by karst mountains, making them one of the most beautiful falls in the world.

7. Socotra Island (Yemen)

Socotra has the nickname ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’ (it seems we will need to talk about the Galapagos in a future top 7 list…) and has been isolated for over 20 million years. Due to this isolation 37% of the island’s plant species are endemic, not existing anywhere else on Earth. This includes the iconic Dragon’s Blood Trees and Desert Rose and Dendrosicyos Socotranus (Cucumber Tree), the only tree in the gourd family (that’s right! – this tree is related to pumpkins, cucumbers and more).

Contenders

With Asia being the largest and probably most diverse continent in the world, there are a rich selection of competitors that could be in this list. The pick of a very large pool are below.

Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon (Tibet, China)

The remote Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon could have a claim to the world’s largest, boasting a depth of 5,590 (18340 ft) from peaks to river and 504.6km (313.5 miles) of length making it both deeper and longer than USA’s Grand Canyon – just not as wide or as much volume. The canyon is also home to some of Tibet’s grandest waterfalls including the largest in China. Due to the remoteness and harshness of conditions these were only known to the world from the late 1990s.

Note: this canyon may also be known as the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, the Tsangpo Canyon, the Brahmaputra Canyon, The Yaluzangbo Grand Canyon or the Tsangpo Gorge.

Jiuzhai Valley National Park (China)

Beautiful blue and green lakes, waterfalls, karst landforms and unique wildlife. This national park and UNESCO heritage site has some of most stunning scenery China has to offer.

Huanglong Travertine Terraces (China)

A couple of hours’ drive away is Huanglong, where 3,400+ golden travertine terraces cascade 7.5km (4.6 miles) down the valley, creating one of China’s most spectacular natural formations.

Mount Bromo (Java, Indonesia)

Mount Bromo may be one of Indonesia’s most iconic viewpoints, with its stunning vista encompassing the active volcano as well as often featuring Mount Batok, Mount Semeru, the ‘Sea of Sand’, and Tengger Caldera. In the right conditions the volcanic summit may sit with a sea of fog instead.

Mount Zao (Japan)

Mount Zao is the common name for the Zaō Mountains, a cluster of stratovolcanoes. It features the Five Color Pond which changes colour depending on the weather, the acidic Okama Crater Lake and geothermal hotsprings. In Winter the slopes of Zaōsan is covered with Juhyo – snow monsters: ice-covered trees creating unique formations.

Mount Kailash (Tibet, China)

Mount Kailash is a 6,638m (21778 ft) mountain with a distinctive pyramid shape in remote Tibet. It remains unclimbed due to it being a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus and other religions.

Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)

An iconic visual of Vietnam known around the world for its 2,000+ limestone karsts and islands rising from the sea over an area of 1,553 km² (600 sq mi). With some karsts rising up to 200m (656ft) high from its waters and an abundance of grottos, caves and floating villages, it is a strong competitor for the top 7.

Gobi Desert (Mongolia, China)

The 5th largest desert in the world and the coldest non-polar desert is known for its dinosaur fossil beds, “Flaming Cliffs” of Bayanzag, and combination of frost and snow on sand dunes. A difficult place to survive, the desert can swing between seasonal extremes of -40°c (also -40°f) and 45°c (113°f).

Dead Sea (Israel, Palestine, Jordan)

The dead sea may be the lowest point on Earth’s land surface at -430m (-1,410ft) below sea level, but due to its incredible salinity of 34% – 10 times that of the ocean, you won’t be sinking any further in this sea.

Pamukkale (Türkiye)

14,000 years of calcium deposits have formed these travertine terraces, nicknamed the ‘Cotton Castle’. The 17 natural hot springs are otherworldly, and the site is topped by the Ancient city of Hierapolis above.

Chocolate Hills (Philippines)

A 50 km² (19 sq mi) area containing more than 1,200 symmetrical conical hills rising 30-50m (98-164ft) high and covered in grass. 2-3 million years ago this area was underwater, with coral reefs depositing limestone. Tectonic uplift raised this limestone above sea level where tropical rainfall dissolved them into the shapes they are today. They are considered the most symmetrical and uniform cockpit karst in the world.

Mount Fuji (Japan)

Japan’s tallest mountain at 3,776m (12388 ft) is an enduring part of Japanese culture and national identity. When in the area of this mountain it feels like it is always looming over you. My first experience was driving towards it about 60km (37 miles) away when I started to get an odd reflection of light on the car windshield. It wasn’t for another 20km (12 miles) that the base of Fujisan began to appear, and the odd reflection revealed itself as an impressive cap of ice and snow.

Trango Towers (Pakistan)

An iconic climbing destination with some of the world’s largest granite rock faces. The East face of the Great Trango Tower features the world’s greatest ‘nearly vertical’ drop (taller than Thor Mountain in Baffin Island, but not as vertical) at 1,340m (4396 ft).

Jeita Grotto (Lebanon)

Two massive interconnected limestone caves feature spectacular formations, an underground river and the World’s largest known individual stalactite at 8.2m (27 ft) long.

Guilin Karst Mountains (China)

A classic Chinese landscapes featuring limestone karst peaks along the Li River. The area known for its natural beauty is an inspiration for many traditional Chinese paintings.

Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (India)

The World’s largest mangrove forest covers an area of approximately 10,000 km² (3861 sq mi) and is home to the largest population of Bengal tigers as well as river dolphins!

Taroko Gorge (Taiwan)

A dramatic 19km (11.8 mile) marble gorge with cliffs of up to 1,000m (3280 ft) high. Taroko Gorge is one of only three marble gorges globally, and the longest with over double the length of the second longest Bhedaghat/Marble Rocks in India.

Honourable Mentions

The locations below were all considered for the list and are areas of outstanding beauty or natural value, but ultimately didn’t make it into this shortlist. I think it just goes to show how much incredible nature is throughout Asia!

Mountains & Peaks:

• Jengish Chokusu (Kyrgyzstan/China – Tian Shan’s highest peak, 7,439m)
• Masherbrum Mountain (Pakistan – 7,821m peak in Karakoram)
• Muztagh Tower (Pakistan/China – 7,273m peak on border)
• Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand, India – 7,816m peak, alpine valley, UNESCO site)
• Yushan / Jade Mountain (Taiwan – 3,952m, highest in East Asia outside Himalayas)
• Huangshan / Yellow Mountains (China – granite peaks, sea of clouds, inspiration for art)

Lakes:

• Song Kol (Kyrgyzstan – high-altitude alpine lake at 3,016m, spiritual significance)
• Kel Suu Lake (Kyrgyzstan – remote glacial lake with dramatic canyon)
• Khovsgol Lake (Mongolia – “Blue Pearl of Mongolia”, largest freshwater lake)
• Lake Onuma/Nukabira (Japan – frozen lakes with methane bubbles, seasonal)
• Aoiike/Blue Pond (Japan, Hokkaido – vivid blue pond from aluminum hydroxide)

Canyons, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls:

• Ybykty Canyon (Kazakhstan, Mangistau – ancient limestone canyon with honeycomb texture from Tethys Ocean fossils)
• Ak-Sai Canyon (Kyrgyzstan – impressive canyon landscape)
• Yufu River Valley Gorge (Japan, Oita – scenic mountain gorge)
• Takachiho Gorge (Japan, Miyazaki – volcanic gorge with waterfall, boat tours)
• Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge (Japan, Yakushima – ancient cedar forest, moss-covered, inspired Princess Mononoke)
• Dudhsagar Falls (Goa/Karnataka, India – 310m four-tiered waterfall)

Valleys & Landscapes:

• Fairy Meadows (Pakistan – base camp area for Nanga Parbat, stunning views)
• Hunza Valley (Pakistan – incredible mountain scenery with dramatic peaks)
• Sarfaranga Cold Desert, Shigar (Pakistan – unique combination of snow, sand dunes, and mountains)

Deserts & Unique Landscapes:

• Kyzylkup Tract (Kazakhstan, Mangistau – unique desert landscape)
• Wadi Rum (Jordan – desert valley with sandstone/granite formations, Lawrence of Arabia landscape)
• Great Rann of Kutch (Gujarat, India – seasonal salt marsh, white desert, 7,505 km²)
• Dasht-e Lut (Iran – one of hottest places on Earth, kaluts/sand castles)

Travertine Terraces:

• Baishuitai White Water Terraces (Yunnan, China – ancient travertine terraces in Tibetan area)
• Badab-e Surt (Mazandaran, Iran – orange/red travertine terraces)

Coastal & Marine:

• Phang Nga Bay (Thailand – limestone karsts similar to Ha Long Bay but smaller scale)
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India – tropical islands, coral reefs)
• Jeju Island (South Korea – volcanic island, lava tubes, UNESCO site)
• Red Beach, Panjin (China – seepweed turns bright red in autumn, seasonal botanical feature)
• Okhotsk Ice Floes (Japan, Hokkaido – seasonal sea ice, southernmost drift ice)

Notable But Not Considered:

• Cappadocia (Turkey) – Iconic but not considered due to massive human impact (underground cities, cave hotels)
• Reed Flute Cave (China) – Not considered due to dominating coloured artificial lighting
• Living Root Bridges (Meghalaya, India – bridges grown from tree roots)