From Roaring Forties to the Fremantle Doctor: How 5 Global Cities Turn Strong Winds into Tourist Attractions.

Wind is often seen as an inconvenience, but in some parts of the world, it defines a city’s personality. From coastal capitals to lakeside metropolises, steady gusts shape architecture, outdoor life, and even local culture.

For travelers who enjoy dramatic skies, ocean spray, and landscapes carved by nature, windy cities offer something special. The breeze clears the air, powers water sports, and creates ever-changing scenery that photographers and adventure seekers find irresistible.

Here are five of the windiest cities in the world and the reasons tourists keep coming back despite the gusts, as reported by The Times of India.

Wellington, New Zealand

Perched at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington sits directly in the path of strong westerly winds known as the “Roaring Forties.” The narrow Cook Strait between the North and South Islands funnels these winds, giving the capital its famously blustery reputation.

Yet the wind has not slowed the city’s charm. Visitors stroll along the waterfront promenade, explore Cuba Street’s cafés, and dive into the country’s history at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.

The surrounding green hills and sweeping harbor views become even more dramatic when clouds race across the sky.

Film fans also recognize Wellington as the creative base behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The city blends culture, cinema, and coastal beauty, making the wind feel like part of the experience rather than a drawback.

Chicago, United States

Chicago earned the nickname “The Windy City” in the 19th century, partly for political reasons, but its location along Lake Michigan also brings frequent gusts.

The open waterfront allows cold air masses to sweep through downtown streets, especially in winter.

Despite that chill, Chicago’s skyline remains one of the most admired in the world. Visitors flock to Millennium Park to photograph Cloud Gate, stroll along the Lakefront Trail, and explore masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The wind adds character to boat cruises along the Chicago River and enhances the lakeside atmosphere.

Deep-dish pizza, live blues music, and vibrant neighborhoods ensure that the breeze never overshadows the city’s energy.

Punta Arenas, Chile

Located near the Strait of Magellan in southern Chile, Punta Arenas faces relentless Patagonian winds. Its proximity to Antarctica and vast open plains leaves little to block powerful gusts that sweep across the region year-round.

Travelers often use Punta Arenas as a gateway to Patagonia’s rugged wilderness. The windswept terrain gives the city a raw, adventurous feel that appeals to explorers.

Penguin colonies, expansive grasslands, and access to Torres del Paine National Park draw visitors seeking glaciers and dramatic mountain peaks.

Here, the wind becomes part of the untamed landscape that defines southern Chile.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik’s position in the North Atlantic exposes it to frequent low-pressure systems and strong ocean winds.

With few natural barriers and a maritime climate, the city experiences steady breezes and occasional powerful gusts, particularly during winter.

Travelers embrace these conditions as part of Iceland’s wild appeal. From Reykjavik, visitors set out to see geysers, waterfalls, and volcanic terrain, often stopping at the Blue Lagoon to unwind.

Colorful houses line the streets, and the city’s thriving arts and music scene offers warmth against the cool wind.

During clear winter nights, visitors gather outside the city in hopes of witnessing the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

Perth, Australia

Perth is known for its reliable afternoon sea breeze called the “Fremantle Doctor.” As inland temperatures rise, cooler air from the Indian Ocean moves in, creating consistent winds that define the city’s climate.

Rather than resisting it, locals build their lifestyle around the breeze. Perth’s beaches, including Cottesloe Beach, attract surfers, sailors, and kiteboarders who depend on steady winds.

The refreshing gusts also make summer afternoons more comfortable, encouraging outdoor dining and sunset watching along the coast.

Just offshore, Rottnest Island offers cycling paths and the chance to spot quokkas, adding another reason tourists appreciate Perth’s breezy setting.

Bottom Line

In each of these cities, wind shapes daily life and visitor experiences.

Instead of avoiding the gusts, travelers discover that the moving air enhances scenery, supports outdoor adventures, and adds a sense of motion to already captivating destinations.

While many people imagine record-breaking bridges as dramatic sea crossings suspended over deep waters, most of the longest bridges on Earth are actually high-speed rail viaducts built across flat floodplains, agricultural land, and marshes.

Over the past two decades, rapid infrastructure expansion has transformed global bridge rankings. Massive, continuous viaduct systems now stretch well beyond 100 kilometers, redefining what qualifies as a “bridge.” Meanwhile, classic over-water crossings in the United States and sea bridges in Asia continue to hold records under specific classifications. Here are 10 of the longest bridges in the world, and where they are located.

Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China

With a total length of 164.8 km (102.4 miles), this is the longest bridge in the world. The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge forms part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, and it stretches across Jiangsu province, connecting Shanghai and Nanjing. The incredible viaduct runs over rice paddies, canals, lakes, and low-lying floodplains, and a 9-km section even crosses Yangcheng Lake. Its elevated design ensures uninterrupted 300 km/h bullet train operations.

Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct in Taiwan

The Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct is 157.3 km (97.7 miles) long, and was opened in the year 2007. This viaduct is a part of the Taiwan High Speed Rail network, and connects Changhua County to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. It is the longest bridge in Taiwan and the second-longest in the world. The viaduct allows high-speed trains to operate safely across densely populated western Taiwan while reducing land acquisition challenges.

Cangde Grand Bridge in China

This 115.9 km (72 miles) long viaduct is another major viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The Cangde Grand Bridge crosses extensive floodplains in Hebei province, and its elevated design helps prevent disruption from seasonal flooding and maintains smooth gradients for high-speed rail. It is one of several super-long bridges that collectively enable uninterrupted high-speed travel between China’s two largest cities.

Tianjin Grand Bridge in China

Stretching between Langfang and Qingxian near Tianjin, this 113.7 km (70.6 miles) long bridge is another massive segment of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Like others on this corridor, it was built to ensure minimal curvature and maximum operational stability for trains traveling at over 300 km/h. Its continuous elevated structure reduces the need for road crossings and improves long-term maintenance efficiency.

Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge in China

This 79.7 km (49.5 miles) long bridge carries the Zhengzhou–Xi’an High-Speed Railway across the Wei River valley. When completed, it briefly held the title of the world’s longest bridge before being surpassed by newer projects. The Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge crosses rivers, roads, and farmland, demonstrating China’s large-scale approach to high-speed rail expansion in the late 2000s.

Bang Na Expressway in Thailand

With a total length of 54 km (33.5 miles), the Bang Na Expressway in Thailand is unlike most bridges on this list, The Bang Na Expressway is a road bridge, located in Bangkok. This elevated six-lane highway stretches above National Highway 34. For several years, it held the record as the longest bridge in the world. It significantly eased congestion in the Bangkok metropolitan area and remains one of the longest elevated road structures globally.

Beijing Grand Bridge in China

Another long viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, this 48.2 km (29.9 miles) long bridge demonstrates the extensive reliance on elevated structures to maintain consistent rail speeds and avoid densely populated urban disruptions.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the United States

Located in Louisiana, this 38.4 km (23.9 miles) long twin-span bridge crosses Lake Pontchartrain and connects Metairie and Mandeville. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous bridge over water (classification depends on measurement criteria). For nearly half a century, it was widely recognised as the longest bridge in the world before Asian rail viaducts surpassed it.

Manchac Swamp Bridge in the United States

Part of Interstate 55 in Louisiana, this 36.7 km (22.8 miles) long bridge crosses the Manchac Swamp. It is built over wetlands and open water, and is one of the longest bridges over swamp terrain in the world. The bridge is sustained by thousands of concrete piles that are driven deep into the swampy soil.

Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China

This 35.7 km (22.2 miles) long S-shaped sea bridge spans Hangzhou Bay and connects Jiaxing and Ningbo in eastern China. The bridge has improved travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo. At the time of its construction, it was the longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world. The bridge was designed to resist typhoons, strong tidal currents, and corrosive marine environments.

The latest global ranking revealed the top 100 tallest skyscrapers in the world.

Rising 828 metres with 163 floors, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, continues to hold the title of the world’s tallest building.

Merdeka, also called PNB 118, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stands as the world’s second-tallest building and the tallest in Southeast Asia with a height of 678.9 metres.

China’s Shanghai Tower, with 128 floors reaching 632 metres, now ranks as the world’s third-tallest building.

Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Clock Royal Tower, home to the world’s largest clock, rises 601 metres with 120 floors, making it the fourth-tallest building in the world and the second-tallest in the Middle East.

China’s Ping An Finance Centre is a marvel of stainless steel and glass. This ultra-slender skyscraper was designed to be the centerpiece of Shenzhen’s business district, featuring one of the world’s fastest elevator systems.

South Korea’s Lotte World Tower rises to 555 metre. Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean ceramics and calligraphy, this sleek, tapered building contains a mix of retail, luxury residences, and a prestigious “six-star” hotel overlooking the Han River.

USA’s One World Trade Center stands at a symbolic 1,776 feet, it is a testament to resilience. Its unique octagonal shape and reinforced concrete base make it one of the safest skyscrapers ever built.

China’s Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre holds the eighth position with a height of 541 metre. This multi-use skyscraper uses terracotta mullions for its exterior, providing environmental benefits. It is part of a “twin tower” pair that anchors the city’s bustling Zhujiang New Town.

Getting sick on vacation is like someone sitting on your birthday cake: disappointing, frustrating, and requiring a lot of cleanup. Crowded airports, packed planes, and endless surfaces coated in who-knows-what create ideal conditions for flu transmission.

While the 2025-2026 flu season has been classified as moderate, cold and flu viruses spread two ways: when you inhale droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, and when you touch contaminated surfaces then touch your face. Here’s how to stay healthy during yur next trip.

Wash Your Hands

We’re not going to show you microscope images of doorknobs covered in writhing pathogens. Instead, here’s what matters: washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This action won’t protect you from airborne transmission, but studies show that hand hygiene combined with other measures significantly reduces respiratory infection transmission.

The trick is doing it properly. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—long enough to remove germs. Additionally, you should keep hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) in your carry-on. Use it after touching airport security bins, seat-back trays, armrests, bathroom door handles, basically anything on the plane. And don’t forget to wash your hands after using public restrooms.

Don’t Touch Your Face

Your cheek itches, you scratch it. Your eyes feel tired, you rub them. Each time you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you’re creating a direct path for germs on your hands to enter your body. Training yourself to keep your hands away from your face is tough. Researchers estimate we touch our faces 16-23 times per hour without realizing it, but training yourself to avoid the activity is free and effective.

This becomes particularly important during travel. You’ve just grabbed your suitcase from the overhead bin, steadied yourself on the seat in front of you, and collected your belongings from the seat-back pocket. Your hands have now touched multiple high-contact surfaces used by potentially hundreds of people. Before you rub your tired eyes or adjust your glasses, wash your hands or break out the hand sanitizer.

Get a Flu Shot

The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for everyone over six months old. For the 2025-2026 season, vaccines protect against three influenza strains that researchers expect to be most common. Even if you’ve already had flu this season, the vaccine protects against multiple virus types you may not have encountered.

Here’s the timing issue travelers need to understand: flu vaccines take two weeks to become fully effective. That means if you’re planning holiday travel or a spring break trip, get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. Flu vaccine effectiveness ranges from 30-60% depending on the season and your age, but even partial protection significantly reduces your risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

Steer Clear Of Illness

You board your flight and discover your seatmate is coughing, sneezing, and generally distributing their respiratory droplets in your direction. Don’t just curse them silently, politely ask the flight attendant to move you to another seat. Airlines generally accommodate these requests when possible, particularly given heightened awareness of respiratory illness transmission.

If another seat isn’t available, modern aircraft ventilation systems provide some protection. Most commercial planes use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that remove 99.97% of airborne particles, including viruses. The cabin air completely refreshes every 2-3 minutes during flight, mixing filtered recirculated air with fresh outside air.

Some experts suggest angling your overhead air vent slightly in front of your face to help deflect circulating droplets, though studies show that passenger-to-passenger transmission happens before air gets filtered by the ventilation system during boarding, taxiing, and the period between landing and gate arrival, when you’re breathing less-filtered air with reduced circulation.

Stay Healthy

Your immune system functions best when you’re well-rested, properly hydrated, well-fed, and not stressed. Unfortunately, the days before a trip typically involve finishing work projects, staying up late packing, eating poorly, and running on anxiety and coffee. You’re essentially weakening your defenses right when you need them most.

Aim for at least seven hours of sleep in the days before traveling. Dehydration impairs immune function, so drink water throughout your trip. Airport terminals and planes are notoriously dry environments. The CDC notes that people with chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and adults over 65 face higher risks from flu. If you’re in one of these categories, these preventive measures become even more critical.

The irony of vacation health: the time when you most want to be healthy is precisely when travel stress, disrupted routines, and exposure to crowds make you most vulnerable to getting sick. Planning ahead: vaccination, hand hygiene supplies, adequate rest, tilts the odds back in your favor.