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Top places to visit with a view above the clouds

By Staff, AccuWeather

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Photo by Joshua Earle

Most of us have stared up at the clouds in amazement. The world is such a beautiful place to live. If you’ve ever been on a flight that went above the clouds, then you know how magical it is to be up there. You don’t necessarily get to really experience the clouds when you’re in a plane. If you want to get up close and personal with the higher elevations on Earth, there are some top places that you can travel. They have a magical view above the clouds that you can’t even begin to describe.

Ban Ja Bo Village, Thailand

On the side of a mountain in amazing Thailand sits the Ban Ja Bo Village. It’s the best place in Thailand, with a quiet little area where you can enjoy beautiful views, quaint eateries with steaming bowls of noodles and the clouds are all around you. This is a meal that you aren’t going to get anywhere in the U.S. If you can, time your visit for the day around sunrise or sunset. This is when the cloud watching experience is most magical. Cable car rides are available to the peak of the mountain for a more up close and personal view. This is where you’ll see the best view above the clouds. The best time to visit Thailand is from late November to the earlier part of April. There are plenty of other things to do in Thailand. This is an area that has such a rich and peaceful culture. Their food is amazing, and Thailand will warmly welcome you.

Fansipan Temple Vietnam

Temple in Fansipan Photo by Krisztian Tabori

Photo by Krisztian Tabori on Unsplash

Fansipan Mountain, Vietnam

The highest peak of Vietnam is located at Fansipan Mountain. You can immerse yourself in the clouds if you ride along the 6,282 meter-long cable car trip that goes across the Muong Hoa Valley. The clouds in this area tend to be magical, and it's the best place to stop for photos. They are very thin and billowing. With the various temples and attractions around you, this is a view like no other. If you’re a person who likes to get up early in the morning, you can check out the sunrise. This area has hiking and driving paths available, as well.

Mount Batur, Bali

Mount Batur is one part of UNESCO’s Global Geopark Network. It is also an active volcano, which provides a whole new twist on your adventurous vacation. You can climb up the volcano. Many people do so very early in the morning so they can catch a sunrise. Just after the sun rises, a blanket of clouds typically appears as they seem to glimmer in the morning sun. If you’d like to spend the day here, you can relax at one of the nearby hot springs. It’s a spa-like experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and energized for the trip ahead. The best time of year to head to Mount Batur is between April and September. This is when you’ll get an optimal cloud cover, but the temperatures and weather, in general, are very pleasant.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Photo by Holger Link

Photo by Holger Link on Unsplash

Queenstown, New Zealand

New Zealand is gorgeous no matter where you are spending your time. However, the mountains provide an awesome experience with puffy white clouds peeking from behind massive snowy mountains. Known as ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’, New Zealand has crystal clear lakes throughout twisting and turning valleys. The clouds seem to come right out from the pages of a picture book as you enjoy the fresh air and beauty that New Zealand has to offer its visitors.

Mount Haleakala, Hawaii

There are many peaks across the Hawaii area, but the Haleakala National Park is home to Mount Haleakala on Maui. This peak is 10,000 feet above sea level, which is above the cloud level. On any given day, you will see the sun pour through a covering of clouds during sunrise and sunset. If you want to check out the view by car, you can drive the Haleakala Crater Road in about 2 hours. You pass through the clouds along the way up. Try to time your day’s trip around sunrise or sunset if you can, but also pay attention to the season that you’re traveling to Hawaii. The spring months are by far the best months to go to one of the islands. Fall is also an enjoyable time of year with great views and excellent weather overall.

Haleakala Crater Hawaii

Haleakala Crater Photo by Ganapathy Kumar

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

Unkai Terrace, Hokkaido

If you want to see clouds like you have never seen before, you need to plan a trip to Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido. These clouds look like glimmering bodies of water in the sky. You can perfect your trip by scheduling a gondola ride that takes you from the Hoshino Resorts to the Unkai Terrace. The Cloud Walk and Cloud Pool are attractions that are incredibly popular because of their amazing views. This area holds regular yoga classes, and you have the opportunity to have your cloud fortune read to you. This is a must-see that you’re not going to experience just anywhere!

If you desire a trip to somewhere in the world that will provide you with glorious views up above the clouds that are a must-see, there are many places with elevations high enough. Because of the nature of your trip, you want to pay close attention to when and where you are traveling. Certain times of the year will provide you with better cloud covers than others. This varies from location to location, so take some time to research where you’re going. You can find past forecasts for many places in the world. This will help you plan your trip, so you’re heading out at peak cloud viewing times. Once you arrive at your destination, you can check the forecast for your trip to determine when the best time will be for your hike or drive up in elevation.

Related:

Where to Find The Best Sunrises and Sunsets in the US
The 10 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms This Spring
Where to Find the World's Best Rainbows
When to Visit and What to Do in Bangkok, Thailand
What are the best things to do in Denver?
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