Qiandao Lake, a freshwater reservoir in China’s Hangzhou region, was formed after the construction of a hydroelectric power station in 1959. The 221-square-mile body of water, also known as the Thousand Islands Lake, is exceptionally beautiful and, as if that’s not enough, is famous for having some of the best water in China. Despite its nickname, geographers have counted 1,078 islands plus some smaller islets. The lake is also rich with a dazzling variety of aquatic life while its extraordinary panoramic scenery attracts travelers from around China and the world.
Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Photo: Danny Lehman/Getty Images
Located along a stretch of the Colorado River as it passes from Utah into Arizona, this 150-mile-long lake is another artificial reservoir, in this case, created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. Winding through canyons of red rock, the lake is named after explorer John Wesley Powell, who explored sections of the Colorado River in 1869. Considered the second largest man-made reservoir in North America, the lake is surrounded by a landscape that was shaped by millions of years of erosion, revealing colorful layers of rock. A highlight is the natural Rainbow Bridge with a span of 275 feet.
Five Color Ponds in Huanglong Valley, China
Photo: SW Photography/Getty Images
