Known among local tribes as Mosi-oa-Tunya – or the smoke that thunders – Victoria Falls is classified as the largest waterfall in the world. Forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the falls span 1.7 kilometres across and 108 metres deep, with more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummeting over the edge during the rainy season. That’s the equivalent to 200,000 Olympic size swimming pools!
Ever wondered how the world’s largest salt flat looks like? You’ll need to head to Bolivia then, to see the amazing Salar De Uyuni. Covering more than 10,000 square kilometres, Salar De Uyuni’s remarkable salt flats reach 10 metres deep in the centre, creating some unique photo taking opportunities.
Situated within the glorious Maldives, Vaadhoo Island is perhaps best known for its ‘Sea of Stars’. Created with the help of bioluminescence, the Sea of Stars is actually a chemical reaction that occurs when microorganisms – or phytoplankton – in the water are disturbed by oxygen. Seen during moonless nights, these amazing microorganisms create glowing blue waves, flowing with tiny fluorescent lights.
You’ve heard of the Great Wall of China. But have you seen it, in person? Reaching almost 22,000 kilometres in length, it was built more than 2,300 years ago to protect against invasion – while also protecting the Silk Road trade. Now it sees 70,000 visitors each day – and that’s just in one section of the wall!
Spanning almost 9,000 square kilometres, Yellowstone National Park in the United States features an incredible range of wildlife, including 70 species of mammals, 322 species of birds, 16 species of fish, and 7 species of ungulates (bison, moose and elk). The park is also home to a vast selection of native and exotic plant life, 290 waterfalls, and one of the world's largest calderas, with more than 10,000 thermal features and 300 geysers.
Located within Australia’s Whitsunday archipelago, Whitehaven Beach is an award-winning beach on Whitsunday Island. Stretching over 7 kilometres, Whitehaven Beach glows with pure white silica sand, looking out on stunning aquamarine waters. Looking for paradise? You’ve found it!
Rapa Nui – also known as Easter Island – is a remote volcanic island in Polynesia, famed for its awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Perhaps best-known among these sites are the giant moai statues, created by inhabitants between the 13th and 16th centuries. Standing four metres tall and weighing 14,000 kilograms, these mysterious statues remain a fascinating enigma.
Simply breathtaking in both its size and detail, Angkor Wat is widely thought of as the world’s largest religious building. Built in the 12th century, the temple is an earthly representation of Mount Meru – similar to the Ancient Greeks’ Mount Olympus. Whilst it is thought to have served as both a temple and mausoleum for Suryavarman II – Angkor Wat remains a subject of curious discussion among scholars and visitors alike.
This French icon was completed in 1889, and at 324 metres tall, it remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years – until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York. Having seen more than 250 million visitors since it was opened to the public, the tower is now the most visited paid-for monument in the world.
Last, but certainly not least, is Machu Picchu, the Incan citadel set within the Andes Mountains in Peru. Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu is believed to have been built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, but was abandoned around a century after its creation. Providing incredible insight into what the Incans were capable of building, the site’s exact use still remains a mystery.
Explore these wonderful places while being covered by Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited, Singapore's leading provider of single and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans.