Top 10 National Parks in Asia
For nature enthusiasts, national parks are the best places to conserve the ecosystem and see species of rare plants, birds, and animals. Some people choose Asia for a visit, for the delicious food, historical sites, or the colorful culture in different countries. Why don't you consider visiting some of the most famous national parks in Asia? You will see some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, and many rare plants and animals. In this article, you will have a glimpse of the top 10 national parks in Asia, and we welcome any other good ideas you can share about the best national parks in Asia.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Komodo National Park, covering an area of about 1,733 km², is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. It was initially established to protect the Komodo dragon and then expanded to protect various species of both terrestrial and marine. Komodo National Park mainly consists of 29 volcanic islands, including Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and other 26 smaller islands. This national park has a productive marine environment with thousands of different species of tropical fish and corals. Scuba diving in Komodo National Park will be one of the best experiences during your trip to Asia.
Wulingyuan National Park, China
Wulingyuan National Park is located in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China, covering a total area of about 690 square kilometers. The whole scenic area mainly consists of four national parks, including Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yangjiajie Scenic Area, and Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve. There are more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks in this area, which create extraordinary mountain views. The meandering streams, beautiful caves, magnificent gorges, and waterfalls also provide tourists with more options to explore nature.
Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is located in north-central Vietnam, about 500 km south of Hanoi. This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has the oldest major karst formation in Asia, formed approximately 400 million years ago. There are no less than 300 karst caves and grottos in the park, among which the Hang Son Doong Cave is the largest cave in the world. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is home to diverse species of flora and fauna, and it's a paradise for nature lovers.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park was established in 1936. This national park consists of Mount Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands, and Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. Here you can find varieties of geographic features, such as volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, forests, and beaches. As it only takes about 30 to 60 minutes to the park from Tokyo by Shinkansen, the park has become one of the most visited places in Japan.
Koh Sok National Park, Thailand
Koh Sok National Park is situated on the mainland between Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, and Koh Samui. It is said that Koh Sok National Park owns the oldest rainforests in the world, and the total area of virgin forest is the largest in Asia. Tourists who love outdoor activities may love Koh Sok National Park so much, as they can experience all kinds of activities, such as bamboo rafting, canoeing, and trekking. Additionally, it'll be an amazing experience to take a boat tour to Cheow Lan Lake, which is home to diversity of mammals and birds.
Naejangsan National Park, South Korea
Naejangsan National Park is an excellent place to visit if you're seeking fantastic autumn colors. This park is famous for its beautiful maple leaves, so autumn is the busiest season. The red-orange maples and the blue sky create a picturesque scene in autumn. What's more, waterfalls are highlights of Naejangsan National Park as well, such as Dodeokpokpo Falls and Geumseonpokpo Falls. You can also visit Baekyangsa Temple and Naejangsa Temple inside the park.
Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia
Kinabalu National Park is one of the first national parks in Malaysia, and it is Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the center of plant diversity in Southeast Asia, Kinabalu National Park is home to approximately 5,000 species of flora and fauna, and plenty more variety of mammals, birds, and insects. Mount Kinabalu is one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia; don't miss it if you love mountain climbing.
Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Chitwan National Park was established in 1973, and it is the first national park in Nepal. The park is nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, with rich flora and fauna. As the largest wildlife park in Nepal, Chitwan National Park is the sanctuary for Bengal tigers, elephants, rhinos, leopards, deer, and crocodiles. Here you can have the chance to see all varieties of wild animals.
Ranthambore National Park, India
Ranthambore National Park is one of the best national parks in India. With rich flora and fauna, Ranthambore National Park is a sanctuary to varieties of plants, birds, and reptiles. It was also one of the Project Tiger reserves, a great place to see Bengal tigers and plenty more wild animals in the natural jungle. If you're coming for the tigers, the best times are in November and May. Besides, you can also visit other attractions like Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesha Temple, Jogi Mahal, and Kachida Valley.
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Bokor National Park, Cambodia
Bokor National Park, or Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, is located in the highlands of the Damrei Mountains. Established in 1993, Bokor National Park is an ASEAN Heritage Park, with Phnom Bokor as the highest peak inside the park. And that's why people also call it Phnom Bokor National Park. Bokor National Park is well-known for the Bokor Hill Station, which was built by the French colonialists in 1921. This park is home to a wide range of plants and animals, and hiking in the park will give you an excellent chance to explore the nature.
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