Did You Know?
Unlike other bigger and deeper lakes in the Jiuzhai Valley National Park, China, the Five Flower Lake does not freeze in winter!
Picturesque landscapes, scenic backdrops, and calm waters - images that are sure to calm your senses. So intriguing are these water bodies, that even the most casual of travelers are surely going to be awestruck by their sheer beauty. Formed by nature's own will, these jewels nestle in the world's most beautiful abodes. From the low-lying plains of California, to the high altitudes of the Tibetan Valley, these stunning lakes are sure to take your breath away.
Given below are ten lakes that are famous for the number of tourists they seduce every year, and of course, for the majestic charm they possess. We have three lakes from Canada alone, and one each from the United States, Italy, Argentina, China, Tibet, Russia, and Switzerland.
The lakes mentioned below are judged for their scenic beauty, and not their significance.
1. Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada
Located in Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, Peyto Lake is one of the most stunning lakes in the world. What makes it truly beautiful is its distinctive turquoise color, and placement in the Canadian Rockies. A glacier-fed lake, it gets this spectacular color from glacier silt that flows into the lake every summer. Named after trail guide Bill Peyto, this lake is located at a height of 1,860 m. Bow Summit showcases the best views of the lake, but if you want to escape the tourists, you can hike half a mile upward.
Entry Details: $9.80 adult, $8.30 senior, $4.90 youth, and $19.60 family (2013).
Best Time to Visit: July, August, and September
2. Lake Argentino, Argentina
Located in the Patagonian province in Argentina, Lake Argentino is truly one of nature's most alluring wonders. It lies within the Los Glaciares National Park, which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped mountains, the lake presents visual delights like none other. With maximum depth of 500 m, it is the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina. The lake is famous for fishing. You can also hike the famous Perito Moreno glacier, albeit at an extra fee for the guide and crampons. As a bonus, you can visit as many as 14 archaeological sites that lie within the park. Summers are the most suitable for sightseeing and partaking in the various activities offered.
Entry Details: $15 - 20; changes as per season. Guided tours within the park cost more.
Best Time to Visit: December to March, and late November
3. Lake Baikal, Russia
The world's oldest and deepest lake, Baikal is roughly a whopping 395 mi long and 49 mi wide. It holds more water than the
Five Great Lakes of America combined, and is thus the most voluminous freshwater lake globally. Meaning
nature lake, it truly lets us view nature at its best. This 25 to 30 million year-old lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is fed by 330 rivers and contains 27 islands. Nicknamed
The Pearl of Siberia, Lake Baikal shows you different pictures in summer and winter. Being a rift lake, it is 1,637 m deep. Located in the south Russian region of Siberia, a trip to view this lake is a trip of a lifetime!
Entry Details: Since the lake does not lie in a protected territory, there is no entrance fee.
Best Time to Visit: March to April
4. Yamdrok Tso, Tibet
Located in the Shannan region of Tibet, 68 mi from Lhasa, Yamdrok Tso is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. It is a freshwater lake; locals say that if the water in this lake dries up, Tibet won't be habitable anymore. Situated 4,441 m above sea level, it is 45 mi long. Pilgrims and tourists are often seen here; one look at the lake is said to give any traveler a feeling of nirvana. The lake freezes completely in winter, not surprising as it is lies in the
Land of Snows. This means, if you travel here in winter, you would miss the color of its beautiful waters. It is also home to the Samding Monastery; the only Tibetan monastery headed by a female reincarnation.
Entry Details: Free
Best Time to Visit: May to September
5. Riffelsee, Switzerland
An alpine lake in Valais, the Riffelsee is part of a dreamland. Situated at an elevation of 2,757 m, it can be reached from the station of Rotenboden, which itself is at a height of 2,819 m on the Gornergratbahn. If you take a 10-minute walk from this station, you can see the reflection of Matterhorn (its east face) in the Riffelsee. It is this reflection that makes the lake look even more spectacular. Situated in between some of the most gorgeous mountains, this lake will surely take your breath away!
Entry Details: Free
Best Time to Visit: July to October
6. Lake Como, Italy
Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, Lake Como has lured tourists since Roman times. Exquisite villas, a Mediterranean climate, and some of the world's best backdrops make this lake a charming sight. Also famous are the spas around this lake. Located in Lombardy, Como is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, and the third-largest after Garda and Maggiore. Surrounded by villas and palaces, this lake has attracted some of the wealthiest. Today, many celebrities have homes here. Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna are the most famous towns; you can select something not-so-famous to escape the crowds. Indulge in water sports, take a flight over the lake, or try skiing during the winters - every tourist has something he's going to like! The ferry service is perfectly developed, and tourists usually find no difficulty in traveling on the beautiful waters of this lake.
Entry: Free
Best Time to Visit: July and September
7. Moraine Lake, Canada
Another stunningly beautiful lake from the Banff National Park, the Moraine Lake, unlike what its name suggests, was not formed due to a moraine, but a rockfall. A glacially-fed lake, it is located at an elevation of roughly 1,885 m in the Valley of Ten Peaks. The lake is so beautiful, it was featured on the Canadian twenty dollar bill twice, in 1969 and 1979. There exist many trails by which you can hike to the lake, the Rockpile Trail being the most famous. It is said that the view from the top of this trail is one of the most photographed locations in the country. The lake gets its distinctive color due to refraction of light off the rock floor.
Entry Details: $9.80 adult, $8.30 senior, $4.90 youth, and $19.60 family (2013).
Best Time to Visit: July, August, and September
8. Mono Lake, California
One of the oldest lakes in North America, the Mono Lake has no outlets to the ocean, giving rise to high levels of salts. Formed roughly 760,000 years back, and situated at a height of approximately 1,945 m, this saline soda lake is home to a great number of migratory birds. Just east of Yosemite National Park, the lake can be reached via Highway 120. The once-submerged tufa formations give tourists a feel of being on another planet. You can see several species of birds on your visits, and indulge in activities such as boating. One of the best times to view this lake is around sunrise. During the summer months, canoe and kayak tours are also available.
Entry Details: $3 per person to visit the South Lake region.
Best Time to Visit: June to October
9. Five Flower Lake, China
Located in the Jiuzhaigou Valley (also called the Valley of Nine Villages), the Five Flower Lake is a unique lake. The valley, located in southwestern China, is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve. Nestling at a height of 2,472 m, at the southern end of the Min Shan mountain range, the lake is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. Being a very shallow lake, you can see ancient fallen tree trunks lying at its bottom, a feature that gives this lake its distinctive visual appeal.
Entry Details: Peak season (April 1 - November 15) rates are: Adult ($36), Seniors ($18), and Students ($18). Entry for tourists above 70 years of age is free. Valid identification is mandatory.
Best Time to Visit: September, October, and November
10. Emerald Lake, Canada
Situated in the Yoho National Park, in British Columbia, Emerald Lake is the largest of the park's 61 lakes. Due to the stunning landscape, this beautiful lake is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. There is a hiking trail (3.2 mi) around the lake, which is partly also accessible to wheelchairs. Canoeing and cross-country skiing are two major activities tourists indulge in during summer and winter respectively. The lake is frozen from November to June, a time when you will miss viewing its beautiful turquoise color. There are a lot of other activities you can indulge in, such as horseback riding, snow-shoeing, and hiking.
Entry Details: $9.80 adult, $8.30 senior, $4.90 youth, and $19.60 family (2013).
Best Time to Visit: July, August, and September
These stunning lakes show us corners of the world that are still proof of nature's brilliant color schemes. A visit to any of the above-mentioned lakes is surely going to be worth the money and time. Plan it well!
