Travel

10 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO SEE A SPECTACULAR DAWN

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia at Sunrise by Mariusz Kluzniak.

by Mariusz Kluzniak. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia at Sunrise.

If you want to see the most beautiful dawns, we’ve curated some of the most beautiful places to go to experience them. We begin with Angkor Wat.

1. ANGKOR WAT -- SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Dawn is full of spirit. It blushes with passions from the night it kisses goodbye and begins the heat of a new day filled with possibilities. If you are wanting a soulful dawn, there is no better place than Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The temple here reeks of history and speaks to you of Hindu mythology. You’ll want to stay for at least the full day to explore the sacred grounds.

It takes a monk’s discipline to meet the dawn here. You must awaken at 4:00 a.m., catch a tuk tuk ride, grab a torch, and trek through the dark jungle.

Again, this seems so exotic, you might expect to be the only one, but no. You will definitely have company, especially at the West Gate, which serves up the dawn against a backdrop of temple silhouettes, reflecting in the lotus ponds -- pink light catching pink blossoms.

But the quieter East gate entrance is also very powerful. You might have this blue and purple dawn all to yourself.

2. LAKELAND, FINLAND

In a land of 187,888 lakes, Finland, one area stands out in particular, as a beautiful day to watch the dawn of a midnight sun. It is Lakeland, with its long rosy fingers of dawn stretched across the golden sky, reflecting in the pristine lakes, in a long dawn revelry.

3. SVALBARD NORWAY

Another spectacular midnight sun dawn destination is Svalbard, Norway.

It is the northernmost inhabited spot on earth. Watch dawn’s colored lights reflect off of the glaciers and snow-frosted mountains. This is, perhaps, the most peaceful, raw experience of dawn you can find.

Go to sleep in a cave and wake up to a very special dawn in Cappadocia, Turkey.

One of the best ways to view dawn’s majesty here is in a hot air balloon. Rise, with the updrafts of the cool morning air over the magical landscapes. Watch the pink and golden light catch the spires, fairy chimneys, and gnarly contortions of volcanic rock.

See butterflyballoons.com.

5. GOKYO RI, HIMALAYAS

Mountaintops are sublime places to greet the dawn. They offer first glimpses and long languid views of blushing light as it brushes over earthly surfaces and whatever clouds that may have blown in overnight.

A peak peak is Gokyo Ri, 5360 meters above sea level, for an unparalleled view as daybreaks first over the top of Mount Everest and 3 more of the planet’s tallest mountains.

While it seems remote, you won’t be alone here, even at the crack of dawn. Plenty of prayer flags will already been ensconced at the summit. But even so, or possibly even more emphasized, this is one of the most beautiful dawn sights you will ever experience.

See worldexpeditions.com.

6. SAMOA

If you want to be the first person on the planet to see the dawn of a new day, you’ll need to head to Samoa. Because, if you perch on the farthest rock at the tip of Cape Mulinu'u, you will be at the westernmost point on Earth.

You will now be the closest to the International Dateline, facing east, just 30 kilometres away. Samoa recently changed its dateline designation. (It used to be the last place in the world to see the sun set.)

7. FIJI

Fiji is another spot that hugs the 180-degree longitude line, so you’ll be one of the first people to see tomorrow become today. The pinks and golds gild the lilies of the turquoise waters and sugar sand beaches.

After the day takes hold, you can enjoy some of the best scuba diving and the best soft coral beds in the world.

8. GRAND CANYON -- ARIZONA, USA

The Grand Canyon, in Arizona, is magnificent and full of color at every time of day. But sunrise amps up its purples, oranges, pinks, and golds even more. Listen as the desert wakes up to a new day’s adventures.

The South Rim offers some of the best dawn views. Check out Hopi and Maricopa points.

9. MOUNT SINAI - EGYPT

Dawn not only marks a new day, it marks new eras, new civilizations, and new platforms of life.

Mount Sinai, Egypt, is a place where the dawn of religions cast its light. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all celebrate Moses, having received the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinai.

Beyond the physical beauty of this place, you can’t help but be moved by dawns that have inspired leaders and their followers to move mountains.

10. HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK -- HAWAII, USA

How can you top a mountain view of dawn unfurling? With a perch atop a volcanic mountain, of course. One beautiful place to do this is on Haleakala National Park, on the island of Maui in Hawaii.

You’ll see the first light of day here at 10,000 feet above sea level, but you have to start out early. It can take up to two hours to drive to the summit. The color of the sky and clouds before daybreak are stunning.

While the crater is in shadow, at dawn, you can still be awed by it. And, why not spend the whole day here exploring over 30,000 acres of public land, via hiking trails or horseback riding trails. Bonus: There are more endangered species here than in any other National Park.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Dawn in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 01.11.2015. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!