There’s a saying and a song, “don’t go chasing waterfalls,” but this isn’t sound advice. Serene, majestic, and simply amazing — waterfalls are among nature’s most beautiful creations. And they seem to have a profound impact on our state of mind, which is why they’re so popular among tourists.
One of the most stunning natural wonders of the world, waterfalls have long been popular (and super Instagrammable) tourist destinations because of their beauty and tranquillity. From the largest to the tallest, here’s our pick of some of the most beautiful waterfalls from around the world that you can bookmark for your next trip.
Here are the most amazing waterfalls around the world:
Niagara Falls, Canada and the US
Situated on the border between Ontario in Canada and New York in the US, this is perhaps the most popular waterfall on the planet. It actually includes three cascades — the American Falls, the Bridal Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. While the initial two are in the US, the latter lies in Canada and is the biggest of the trio. The average width of these majestic falls is 3,950 feet and the speed of the water is 25 mph, which makes it the most powerful waterfall in North America.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Considered to be the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River sits at the border between Zambia in the north and Zimbabwe in the south. Also known as “Mosi oa-Tunya” (meaning “the smoke that thunders”), the waterfall can be heard from a distance of 40 kilometres. It is approximately 5,500 feet wide, making it one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its grandeur and striking beauty make it one of the most popular attractions in Africa.
Ban Gioc-Detian Falls, Vietnam and China
These two waterfalls collectively nestled at the border between China and Vietnam form one of the largest transnational waterfalls in Asia. When viewed from a distance, it looks like a staircase with cascading layers of flowing water. The waterfall is fed by the Quay Son River, which originates in China. In summers, the falls are around 984 feet wide, with a height of 98 feet. Even though it is frequented by locals, many international travellers overlook this waterfall because it is located off the beaten track. However, it is a picturesque, hidden gem that is definitely worth a visit.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
This is the tallest waterfall in the world, standing at a height of 3,212 feet over the Churún River. At its base, it is 500 feet wide. Located in the Canaima National Park, it falls over the edge of the Auyán-Tepuí mountain, also known as Devil’s Mountain. This majestic waterfall is three times taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Its exotic location amidst forests shrouded with mist and surrounded by flat-topped mountains makes it one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.
Mae Ya Waterfall, Thailand
One of the most beautiful sights Thailand has to offer, this waterfall is located in Doi Inthanon National Park. It falls down from a height of 853 feet through 30-storeyed rock cliffs and is surrounded by forests. During monsoons, the curtain of the waterfalls extends to around 328 feet in width. It is located in a secluded area, a few hours away from Chiang Mai City, and swimming at the base is allowed.
Gullfoss, Iceland
Translating to “Golden Falls”, this is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. It is located in the Hvítá River canyon in Southwest Iceland. The water originates from the Langjökull glacier and falls through two stages into the crevasse below — the shorter cascade is 36 feet high, while the longer one is 69 feet high. It is a part of the Golden Circle sightseeing route, which includes other attractions such as the Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park. Icelandic environmentalist Sigríður Tómasdóttir, memorialised in a sculpture near the waterfall, fought to preserve it and saved it from being harnessed for hydroelectric power.
Iguazú Falls, Brazil and Argentina
Iguazú is a series of waterfalls situated right at the border between Brazil and Argentina. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The waterfall system consists of 275 falls — making it the largest in the world — and stands at a height of 269 feet. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984, it is taller than Niagara Falls and wider than Victoria Falls.
Kegon Falls, Japan
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, Kegon Falls is 318 feet high. It is located in Nikko city and fed by the water from Lake Chuzenji. There are also a dozen of smaller waterfalls around the lower part of the main one. For a closer look, you can take the elevator that will take you a few feet down from ground level to an observation deck.
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong.
