One of the most stunning natural wonders of the world, waterfalls have long been popular tourist destinations because of their beauty and tranquillity. What’s more, a recent study has rounded up the best waterfalls in the world, based on their Instagram popularity. So, based on the study and in terms of these falls’ grandeur, here’s our pick of some of the most beautiful waterfalls from around the world that you can bookmark for your next trip. By Ipsita Kabiraj
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in the world
Niagara Falls, Canada and the USA
Situated on the border between Ontario in Canada and New York in the USA, 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 USA, 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. The falls also feature in a massive 3.8 million posts on Instagram!
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. These falls have a total of 318k Instagram posts to its credit.
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. In terms of Instagram posts, this one is just slightly behind, with 300k posts.
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. Gullfoss have about 281k posts on Instagram.
Jog Falls, Karnataka, India
Jog Falls in Karnataka is at number six on the list of the most Instagrammable falls in India. The waterfall, on the Sharavati river, is located in the Western Ghats of Sagar Taluk, and is the third highest plunge waterfall in India. Jog Falls is a beautiful segmented waterfall that depends on rain and optimal seasons, and makes for a beautiful place to visit especially in the monsoon. The place also has 78k posts on Instagram, the highest for any Indian waterfall!
Dudhsagar Falls, Karnataka/Goa, India
Dudhsagar Falls is a four-tiered waterfall on the Mandovi River in Goa. The falls, that landed at the 10th spot on the list, paints a stunning picture throughout the year, especially during the monsoons. The falls are also visible on the Mumbai-Goa train, which is what makes this route so popular! The place has 39k posts on Instagram, and you can check out our complete guide to visiting the waterfalls here.
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.
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.
Note: This article was first published in Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
Related: Waterfalls In India That Are At Their Majestic Best During Monsoons
