The world is full of wonderful natural scenes, and water-based wonders are among the most mesmerising. Everything from lakes and waterfalls to canals and rivers counts, and each has its own beauty that should be admired. Here, we reveal some out of this world water scenes from around the globe.

Lake Baikal

Venturing to the outer reaches of Russia isn’t for the faint-hearted. But when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the most magnificent scene. Lake Baikal isn’t just a World Heritage Site, it’s the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world.

It’s also one of the world’s oldest, with the lake’s history thought to go back some 25 to 30 million years, a title that has earned the lake the nickname ‘Galapagos of Russia’.

Lake Baikal is a must-visit all year round, and each season offers its own unique view of this stunning spectacle. Lonely Planet explains more about what to expect from your visit to Lake Baikal from summer to winter:

“Summer travellers enjoy gobsmacking vistas across waters of the deepest blue to soaring mountain ranges on the opposite shore; rarer winter visitors marvel at its powder-white surface, frozen steel-hard and scored with icy roads. Whether they swim in it, drink its water, skirt its southern tip by train, cycle or dog sledge over it in winter, or just admire it from 2000km of shoreline, most agree that Siberia doesn’t get better than this.”

Thinking of travelling to Lake Baikal this winter? Read our top hydration tips for outdoor adventurers.

Li River

Flowing miles through southern China, the Li River is the pearl of the Guangxi Province. Whichever part of the river you see, you’ll witness the most beautiful scenery, settings that have inspired generations of Chinese artists.

The waterway is lined with mountain peaks, farmland and traditional villages, all of which can be explored to enjoy an authentic experience in the heart of rural China. You can see the Li River in a variety of ways, the most classic being by boat, via bike or on a bamboo raft. Li River cruises are popular choices for foreign visitors, with most lasting up to four hours and taking in some remarkable scenes across the length of the river.

Venice

Europe’s floating city is one of the most romantic destinations, but simply visiting for its watery scenes is highly recommended. As the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, Venice is a tourist paradise.

Go off the beaten track to take in its countless canals, all of which are linked by more than 400 bridges. Along with the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge is the city’s most iconic. This particular bridge crosses the Grand Canal, Venice’s main waterway.

Great Barrier Reef

Looking after our oceans, and the endangered species who call it their home, is something that we are truly passionate about. Doing our bit for our oceans is all about keeping stunning scenes like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia intact for the next generations.

Stretching for over 1,200 miles, there’s a lot to love about the Great Barrier Reef. Its beauty and the complex ecosystem it houses is utterly unique. The World Heritage Site is home to more than 10,000 species in total. See what you can spot on your visit by going diving, snorkelling or for a cruise on a glass-bottomed boat.

Gullfoss

It’s well worth braving the cold to see this breathtaking scene in Iceland. Gullfoss – which translates as ‘Golden Falls’ – is an iconic river canyon based in the south-west of this enchanting country. The river travels from a nearby glacier before falling 32 metres.

Gullfoss is just one of the dramatic natural scenes you can witness in Iceland. The waterfall is a part of the country’s Golden Circle, which features geysers, glaciers, gorges and crystal-clear springs.