Uninhabited islands, karst landscapes — 12 stunning UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites

By Rita

When it comes to UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites, how many have you visited?According to CNN, promoting tourism should come second — the primary purpose of listing these sites is to urge humanity to protect, save, and cherish these unique wonders on Earth. So when you have the chance to visit them, don’t forget to carry a heart full of appreciation.

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera): Croatia

▲ Plitvice Lakes National Park (Photo /http://www.thousandwonders.net)
This lake system is famous for its unique colors — sapphire blue, green, azure, or gray — but swimming is prohibited. With a total of 16 lakes at varying elevations, it forms numerous large and small waterfalls.

2. Ilulissat Icefjord (Ilulissat-Eisfjord): Greenland

▲ Ilulissat Icefjord (Photo / Wikipedia)
Here, you can not only enjoy stunning scenery but also hear the raw, awe-inspiring sound of ice cracking.

3. Shirakami-Sanchi: Japan

▲ Shirakami-Sanchi (Photo / Wikipedia)
This is a vast primeval forest mountain area spanning Aomori and Akita prefectures, and it’s also the last remaining stand of beech trees in northern Honshu. It remains largely untouched due to the lack of roads or facilities.

4. Lakes of Ounianga: Chad

▲ Lakes of Ounianga (Photo / Wikipedia)
Located within the Sahara Desert, it consists of 18 inland lakes — some covered with green reeds that contrast beautifully with the blue waters.

5. Kluane National Park and Reserve: Canada

▲ Kluane National Park and Reserve (Photo /http://fineartamerica.com/)

Covering an expansive area of about 22,000 square kilometers, it includes Canada’s highest peak — Mount Logan.

6. Socotra: Yemen

▲ Socotra (Photo /http://photo.sf.co.ua/id298)
The most remarkable feature here is the Dragon’s Blood Tree, which oozes bright red sap. Another unique tree, the bottle tree, resembles an elephant’s leg and is topped with pink flowers.

7. La Réunion: France

▲ La Réunion (Photo /http://www.skyscanner.net/news/)
This is a volcanic island where the active volcano Raoul Island frequently erupts, spewing lava that lasts for months, making it a significant tourist attraction. The best way to view it is by helicopter.

8. Jiuzhaigou: China

▲Jiuzhaigou (Photo / Wikipedia)
It is renowned for its pristine lake waters and also serves as an important habitat for many rare animals, such as giant pandas and snow lizards.

9. Te Wahipounamu: South Island, New Zealand

▲Te Wahipounamu (Photo / Wikipedia)
The park encompasses four national parks, with famous landscapes including fjords, rocky shores, lakes, and waterfalls formed by glacial activity.

10. Ningaloo Coast Marine Park: Australia

▲Ningaloo Coast Marine Park (Photo /http://www.australia.com/)
Divers can see three different species of sea turtles here, with around 10,000 turtle nests discovered annually. The highlight is the opportunity to swim alongside massive whale sharks.

11. Škocjan Caves: Slovenia

▲Škocjan Caves (Photo /http://www.wondermondo.com/)
It is a massive underground cave system featuring famous karst landforms, with stalactites reaching up to 150 meters in height.

12. Aldabra Atoll

▲Aldabra Atoll (Photo /http://thatscienceguy.tumblr.com)
Remote and uninhabited, this area is surrounded by coral reefs.