Being the largest continent on Earth, Asia naturally has the most number of natural landmarks on the planet. Ranging from the highest mountains to the most breath-taking marine environments, Asia has enough physical attractions to satisfy the naturalist in all of us.

Here are 10 great natural landmarks in various Asian countries:

1.    Mount Fuji

The highest volcano in Japan at 3,776 meters, Fujiyama has been celebrated in poetry and art for as long as there is a Japanese empire. Located at the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo, Mt. Fuji can be seen from Central Tokyo skyscrapers as well as Yokohama on a clear day. You can best view Mt. Fuji on board the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Osaka or Nagoya; you can also climb up the slopes during the months of July and August via tour bus starting from Tokyo.

2.    Tubbataha Reef

A pristine coral reef off the coast of Palawan, Philippines. It is an excellent dive spot covering 33,200 hectares, filled with an extensive number of marine species. But be careful, this marine sanctuary maintains a very delicate ecosystem balance. You can take any of several domestic flights to Palawan from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and take part in the many diving excursions occurring there daily.

3.    Stone Forest

Located in Shilin County in the Yunnan province of southwest China, it is an area filled with tall rocks that emerge from the ground like stalagmites, creating an illusion of a forest made of stones. The formations are believed to be more than 270 million years old, with karst structures shaped into intricate formations by eons of erosion. A tourist train from Kunming Station travels daily to the area; visitors may also take a bus from the same station.

4.    Ayers Rock

Also called Uluru by the native aborigines, it is large reddish sandstone rock formation in the Northern Territory, Central Australia. The most famous natural icon of the island-continent, Ayers Rock stands 348 meters in height, measures 9.4 kilometers in circumference, and seems to change color as the day passes. You may enjoy a helicopter or camel tour around the formation, though climbing is discouraged by the locals.

5.    Beppu Onsen

A hot spring that produces more hot spring water than any other resort in Japan. Located in the town of Beppu in the Oita Prefecture, there is a particular place called The Hells of Beppu where boiling water and steam shoot from 200-300 meters below the ground (definitely NOT for bathing). To reach Beppu Onsen, take a flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Oita, then a 40-minute bus ride to the hot springs.

6.    Taroko Gorge

The most popular tourist attraction in Taiwan, it is a national park that centers on a 19-kilometer long canyon. Composed mainly of marble and granite, the gorge boasts of tall cliffs, waterfalls, rapids, and mountains. The area is also known for a unique kind of jade that can only be found here in Taiwan. Taroko Gorge has several trails which may be accessed via a bus tour from Taipei or by car.

7.    Reed Flute Cave

Named after the reeds growing inside that people used to make flutes, Reed Flute Cave has the most spectacular subterranean scenery in Asia, from rock formations and stalactites, to stone pillars. The entire cave, located 5 kilometers north of Guilin City in Guangxi Province, is artificially lighted to give a more vibrant visual effect. Some of the formations are given colorful names like Dragon Pagoda and Red Curtain. To get there, take the Number 3 bus from Guilin station to the cave entrance, then join a tour that goes through every 20 minutes.

8.    Huangshan Mountains

Chinese scroll art have depicted Huangshan’s beauty for generations. The curiously-shaped rocks, the waterfalls, the pine trees jutting out from rock surfaces, and the abundant cloud cover all make these mountain ranges a picturesque delight. Make sure to visit Bright Summit Peak, the best place to watch the sunrise amidst the sea of clouds. You may reach Huangshan via flights from Hong Kong or Shenzhen .

9.    Gobi Desert

One of the world’s great deserts is Asia’s largest, covering most of Southern Mongolia at 1,296,000 square kilometers. The temperatures are extreme, the winds are harsh, the landscape is just rocky outcrops and gravel plains, and the oases and native wildlife are diverse. Gobi (Govi or Gov in Mongolian) means gravel-covered plain and this desert has five unique dry ecoregions: the Eastern Gobi desert steppe, the Alashan Plateau semi-desert, the Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe, the Junggar Basin semi-desert and the Tian Shan range.

10.    Mount Everest

The highest mountain on earth at 8,848 meters and the ultimate symbol of human aspiration. Called Chomolungma (Goddess Mother of the World) by the native Sherpas, it is located in the Himalayas between India and China. Joining a Mt. Everest expedition would cost some USD 51,000 and a lot of climbing preparation. There are news reports that the Chinese government will impose travel restrictions to Mt. Everest to facilitate cleanup operations, which will help maintain the mountain’s delicate ecosystem.

Posted in Asia, Attractions

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