Seven Natural Wonders You Must See Before You Die

While researching travel content for a blog, I came across the concept of the seven natural wonders of the world. I’d heard of the seven wonders before, but natural wonders you must see before you die? That was new to me, so I dug deeper. It turns out CNN had featured them. (As some of you may know, CNN isn’t always the most reliable source, but still.) Excited to have fresh material for my blog, I decided to share these wonders. Let’s explore where and how these seven natural wonders exist.

1. Aurora (Northern Lights)

The aurora, or Northern Lights, is said to bring tears of awe to those who witness it, earning its place among the seven natural wonders you must see before you die. Countries where you can view the aurora include Iceland, Alaska, Norway, Canada, and Finland. The farther north you go, the more intense the display, but that comes with the challenge of enduring cold temperatures and timing your visit right. It’s a dream of mine to watch the aurora with my future children, though I wonder if they’d just complain about the cold.

2. Grand Canyon, United States

Given that CNN compiled this list, it’s no surprise that an American icon makes the cut. The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is the second natural wonder. Despite frequent fatal accidents due to falls, the site avoids additional safety measures to preserve its natural state—a stark contrast to practices in some countries where metal rods are drilled into cliffs for climbers. The best time to visit is summer, from June to August, ideal for camping, swimming, and wildlife observation.

3. Paricutin, Mexico

Having written and read countless travel articles, I was surprised to encounter Paricutin for the first time. This cone-shaped volcano in Mexico, one of the seven natural wonders, last erupted in 1952, forming a mountain that humanity witnessed from start to finish, making it uniquely valuable. It’s located a seven-hour drive from Mexico City.

4. Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Known as the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, offering two ways to access it. The view is said to be more spectacular from Zimbabwe, but Zambia provides a closer look. Victoria Falls is also home to the infamous Devil’s Pool, a natural pool at the edge of the Zambian side that’s thrilling yet nerve-wracking. Due to the risk of falling, no more than 16 people are allowed in at a time.

5. Mount Everest, Nepal

For mountaineering enthusiasts, Nepal’s Mount Everest is a must-visit, recognized as one of the seven natural wonders. Standing at 29,032 feet (8,848 m), this mountain range boasts year-round snow that never melts, creating a stunning landscape. It inspires climbers’ ambitions, but even viewing it from a distance is breathtaking. However, its high altitude and unpredictable weather demand caution for avalanches, storms, and heavy snow.

6. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, is a vast ecosystem comprising over 900 islands and more than 3,000 individual reefs. Spanning about 1,400 miles (2,300 km), it covers a significant portion of the ocean. Its beauty and scale make it a hotspot for snorkeling and scuba diving, with boat and helicopter tours also available.

7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

At first glance, Rio de Janeiro, a port city, may not seem like a natural wonder. However, it’s not only listed among the must-see natural wonders but also ranks among the world’s wonders. The harbor is surrounded by granite mountains and spires, sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean’s erosion—a true testament to nature’s grandeur.

We’ve explored CNN’s seven natural wonders together. What did you think? Some, like the Grand Canyon, are familiar, while others, like Paricutin, were new even to me, despite my travel content research. Honestly, Victoria Falls and Rio de Janeiro don’t spark much interest for me, but the aurora and Great Barrier Reef are places I’d love to visit someday. To do that, I’ll need to brush up on my English—though I’m not sure how much more studying it’ll take to get there!