The Greenest Places on Earth

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Nature’s color palette is astounding. From aquamarine oceans to sandy red deserts, it seems that every color of the rainbow is weaved into some aspect of our planet. One of the colors that’s often taken for granted, though, is green. Our eyes endlessly soak up shades of green — like trees, grass, and shrubbery — to the point where our everyday lives feature this hue so much that it can often be overlooked.

But these places below will give you a new appreciation for the color green, and will show you that this gorgeous hue is anything but ordinary. These destinations are some of the world’s greenest places, and are guaranteed to bring you back to nature.

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Valle Verzasca, Switzerland

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This valley serves green coloring in two very different ways: The trees and valleys above the waters boast a true green color, while the water’s reflection shows off a hue that’s vibrant emerald.

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan

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This otherworldly grove located on the outskirts of Kyoto has green bamboo stalks that tower overhead, creating an endless green vision that is nothing short of magical.

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Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

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This lake shows off a shade of brilliant green thanks to the crystal clear waters that mimic the mountains and trees above, as well as the fallen trees that rest on the lake’s floor.

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Lake Carezza, Italy

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Given the nickname of the “rainbow lake,” this lake’s colors can shift from blue to green and often reflects the sky and the forests of the Dolomites mountain range.

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Abyss Pool, Wyoming

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Located in Yellowstone National Park, this basin’s unmistakable green coloring is due to a combination of both water depth and algae.

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Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

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This fairytale-like location was formed when trees and shrubbery that surrounded a strip of industrial railway grew into the shape of the passageway of the train’s daily route, forming a natural tunnel.

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Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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Though the trip to this destination takes effort, it pays off after getting the chance to snorkel in the distinct turquoise waters of this hidden Caribbean getaway.

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Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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This man-made forest is covered in greenery — like tropical trees and mossy mountains — everywhere you turn.

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Valle de Cocora, Quindío, Colombia

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The world’s tallest palm trees are found in Colombia’s Cocora Valley and are set against rolling green hills and jagged mountains.

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Green Crater Lake, Costa Rica

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This volcanic crater lake in Costa Rica gets its coloring from mineral byproducts of the Irazú Volcano, and, while it’s known for its jade green coloring, can also change to red, pink, or gray.

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Quilotoa, Ecuador

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Although this lagoon’s water changes based on the season, the colors of this seemingly bottomless pool most often range from turquoise green to yellow.

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El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

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Just a short trip from San Juan, this tropical rainforest boasts gorgeous greenery, from mountain pools and waterfalls to thick, dense, greenery from the trees overhead.

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Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

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Created by thousands of years of volcanic activity, this geothermal pool shows off rich colors — most notably mossy green.

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Black Forest, Germany

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This forest is filled with hundreds of miles of lush greenery, and is said to be the inspiration behind many settings of Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

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Mossy Forest, Malaysia

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Here, spongy green moss covers most of this tropical evergreen forest, due to its location: Sitting at the highest elevation of the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, the forest receives endless moisture, making it the perfect location for greenery to grow.

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Where to Find the Greenest Landscapes on Earth

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Valle Verzasca, Switzerland

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan

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Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

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Lake Carezza, Italy

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Abyss Pool, Wyoming

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Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

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Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Valle de Cocora, Quindío, Colombia

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Green Crater Lake, Costa Rica

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Quilotoa, Ecuador

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El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

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Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

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Black Forest, Germany

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Mossy Forest, Malaysia

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