Bản Giốc – Detian Falls on the Quây Sơn River, Vietnam
© Shane P. White/Minden Pictures
A borderline paradise
Welcome to a spot where rivers meet borders in the most stunning way: Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, featured in today's image. Tucked between the karst hills of Daxin County in China and Trùng Khánh district in Vietnam, these falls tumble along the Quây Sơn River. Over 25 metres tall and 300 metres wide, it holds the distinction of being the widest waterfall in Vietnam. Located just 69 kilometres north of Hanoi, this waterfall has gradually worn away its crest over the years, inching upstream. For most of the year, they flow as two distinct cascades, but come summer, when the rains swell the river, they merge into one big fall.
Ever wondered what 168,000 cubic metres of water rushing over a cliff sound like? Just as Bản Giốc stuns with its beauty, Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, captivates with its scale and thundering sound. This side steals the show with the Horseshoe Falls, a massive curtain of water. More than a pretty face, these falls are a powerhouse, literally. Back in 1895, they lit up the world's first major hydroelectric power station, thanks to Nikola Tesla's genius. On calmer days, the mist and rainbow make for perfect photo ops, but come winter, Niagara transforms into a frozen wonderland.