Colorful landmarks around the world

This circular karst formation sits in the Lighthouse Reef approximately 43 miles (70 kilometers) off the coast of Belize, measuring 984 feet (300 meters) across and reaching a depth of 410 feet (125 meters). The Great Blue Hole displays the intense blue coloration typical of such formations. The geological structure formed during the last ice age when sea levels were lower. Today the site offers one of the most recognizable color contrasts between the dark center and the surrounding turquoise waters of the barrier reef.

The Painted Desert covers 380 square miles (985 square kilometers) in northeastern Arizona and displays rock layers colored in shades of red, orange and yellow through different mineral deposits. The sedimentary layers of clay, siltstone and sandstone were laid down over millions of years and exposed through erosion. Iron oxide and manganese compounds create the characteristic colors, which shift throughout the day as light changes. This geological formation lies mostly within Petrified Forest National Park and represents an important example in this collection of colorful places through its natural palette of mineral-derived hues.

This mountain at 17,060 feet (5,200 meters) in the Andes displays pronounced color bands formed by different mineral deposits in the rock layers. Rainbow Mountain sits roughly 62 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Cusco and forms part of the Vilcanota range. The colors range from reds created by iron oxide to yellows and greens from sulfur compounds and whites from limestone. Geologists date the formation of these layers to millions of years, with tectonic activity and erosion exposing the present formations. The ascent typically begins from the village of Pitumarca and takes several hours.

This park displays 400,000 pink phlox plants from April to May, covering a hillside and contributing to the colorful destinations in this collection. The flowers appear in shades of pink and white, creating a mosaic pattern across the slopes. Visitors find paths through the plantings that also offer viewpoints toward the surrounding mountains. Outside the blooming season, locals use the park for walks and recreation.

The lakes in this valley display a notable range of colors created by mineral deposits in the water. Limestone combines with algae to produce the characteristic blue and turquoise tones that make Jiuzhaigou an example of natural coloration. Different concentrations of these minerals in individual bodies of water result in variations from pale aquamarine to deep blue. These geological conditions have created over thousands of years a landscape defined by color contrasts between water, vegetation and limestone formations. The water remains transparent despite the color variations, allowing views of submerged logs and rock formations.

This lake in China's Jiuzhaigou Valley displays different color shades created by the accumulation of minerals and algae in the water. The color patterns shift with temperature and seasons. The water sits within a protected area known for its colored lakes. Visibility often extends to the bottom, leaving submerged fallen trees visible beneath the surface. This natural coloring makes the lake an example of the range of colorful places worldwide, from geological formations to turquoise waters.

These mountains display alternating layers of red and white sedimentary rock. The geological formation developed through the deposition of sandstone and limestone over millions of years. The striped pattern results from different mineral compositions and oxidation processes across various geological periods. The color contrasts become particularly visible under certain lighting conditions. These mountains add to the collection of colorful landmarks around the world through their natural geological coloring, comparable to the Danxia Mountains in China or the Painted Desert in Arizona.

This salt lake displays its red coloring through microorganisms and salt crystals living in the water. The intensity of the color increases during the dry season when water evaporates and salt concentration rises. The Red Lake sits in a remote region of Tanzania and provides a strong contrast to the surrounding landscape. The extreme conditions in the lake create an ecosystem inhabited only by specialized organisms that produce the characteristic red coloring.

This working class neighborhood displays its identity through the brightly painted corrugated metal houses lining its streets. The color palette of reds, yellows and blues originated from the use of surplus ship paint from the nearby port. El Caminito street forms the heart of the district with its painted facades, while street artists and tango dancers perform on the cobblestones. The neighborhood developed in the late 19th century as an immigrant community and maintains its bohemian character, though it now primarily serves visitors. The architectural tradition of conventillos, communal tenement buildings, shaped the dense construction and colorful aesthetic that defines the district today.

This city in Rajasthan displays a characteristic blue urban architecture dating from the 15th century. The old town houses are painted in indigo blue, a tradition originally intended to cool buildings in the hot desert climate. Jodhpur sits at the edge of the Thar Desert and is dominated by the Mehrangarh Fort perched on a rocky outcrop. The blue buildings concentrate particularly around the clock tower in the historic center and extend through the narrow lanes of the old bazaar quarter. The coloring serves both practical and cultural purposes in this desert metropolis.

This Arctic settlement uses multicolored building facades as a practical orientation system during the four-month polar night. Longyearbyen sits at 78 degrees north latitude, where the sun does not rise above the horizon from November through February. Residents paint their houses in contrasting colors to facilitate navigation through the streets in complete darkness. This functional use of color differs from the decorative role of colored architecture in warmer climates, serving a specific Arctic need.

This hilltop palace near Sintra combines colors and architectural styles from the 19th century. The yellow and red facades follow Romantic design principles, while the interiors display period furniture and azulejo tilework. The surrounding park covers 500 acres (200 hectares) and contains plant species from different climate zones, along with smaller structures in Moorish and Gothic styles. From the terraces, visitors can view the Sintra mountains and the coastline extending to the Atlantic Ocean.

These Scarborough beach huts display rows of painted wooden doors along North Bay. The traditional cabins serve visitors for changing clothes and storing beach equipment. The colorful facades add to this collection's range alongside natural color formations like Grand Prismatic Spring and architectural examples such as Bo-Kaap. The huts form a characteristic coastal scene at this Yorkshire seaside resort.

The Grand Prismatic Spring measures 230 feet (70 meters) in diameter, making it the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. Thermophilic bacteria and microorganisms living in different temperature zones of the spring create concentric rings of orange, yellow, green and brown around the deep blue center. Water temperature at the center reaches approximately 189 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius), while the cooler edges host the characteristic orange and brown mats. This geothermal feature represents one of the most striking color displays in Yellowstone National Park and contributes to the variety of natural color phenomena found across the globe.

This residential district from the 18th century presents a collection of brightly colored facades along cobblestone streets on the slopes of Signal Hill. The houses display vivid yellow, green, pink, and blue walls that mark this historic neighborhood. Bo-Kaap was originally settled by enslaved people, artisans, and immigrants, developing into a culturally significant area of Cape Town. The colored buildings, mostly constructed in Cape Dutch and Georgian architectural styles, contribute to the visual range of this collection, demonstrating urban architecture as an expression of community and history.

This geological formation covers approximately 155 square miles (400 square kilometers) south of Zhangye city in Gansu Province. The distinctive color bands of red, orange, yellow and green developed through deposits of sandstone and mineral compounds over 24 million years. Tectonic activity folded these sediment layers and created the wave-like structures visible today. The park maintains several viewing platforms connected by paved paths and shuttle buses. Colors appear most intense under overcast skies or after rain when the rock surfaces are wet.

This mountain town displays traditional houses, streets and staircases in various shades of blue, providing a compelling example of the colorful landmarks featured in this collection. The centuries-old practice of painting buildings blue defines the entire cityscape of Chefchaouen and sets it apart from other Moroccan towns. Visitors find a labyrinth of blue-washed lanes, courtyards and squares threading through the narrow streets of the medina.

This garden in Kitakyushu contains 150 wisteria plants representing 20 different species that produce purple, pink, white and blue blooms. The plants grow along tunnels and over pergolas, creating colored canopies during the flowering season in April and May. The site opens only seasonally when the wisteria are in full bloom. Visitors can walk beneath the hanging flower clusters, which display different color tones depending on the species.

Copacabana displays buildings with colored tiles and local motifs on exterior walls throughout its streets. The town sits on the shore of Lake Titicaca at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) elevation and serves as a departure point for boat trips to Isla del Sol. The 16th-century Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana contains religious artwork and functions as a major pilgrimage site. Markets and street vendors sell textiles and handicrafts, while surrounding hills provide lookout points over the lake.

This historic canal in central Copenhagen was constructed in the 17th century and is now known for its row of colorful townhouses lining the waterfront. The buildings display facades in bright reds, yellows, and oranges, with many ground floors operating as restaurants and cafés. Nyhavn originally served as a busy commercial harbor and attracted sailors, merchants, and artists over the centuries. Today the colorful buildings combine with the historic wooden ships moored along the quay to create a characteristic cityscape that reflects Denmark's maritime history.

This lagoon island's painted houses follow a tradition in which fishermen colored their facades in bright hues to identify their dwellings from the water. The village displays red, yellow, blue, green and orange buildings along narrow canals that traverse the island. The color palette contributes to the location's visual identity and has evolved from practical origins to a feature that attracts visitors. Located a 40-minute vaporetto ride from Venice, Burano maintains its lace-making tradition alongside its colorful architecture.