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.

Gokyo Lakes prove that sometimes the road less travelled rewards more generously. While thousands crowd Everest Base Camp, fewer venture to these turquoise jewels cradled by glaciers.

Imagine standing at 4,700 metres altitude beside a turquoise lake so vivid it looks Photoshopped. Behind you, the Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s longest, stretches like a frozen river. Ahead, the serene water mirrors Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu, four of the world’s six highest peaks. This isn’t a dream. This is Gokyo Lakes, one of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the Himalayas, which somehow remains less crowded than the Everest Base Camp route. While everyone obsesses over EBC, Gokyo quietly offers something arguably better: six sacred turquoise glacial lakes, the best panoramic Everest views in the region (yes, better than Base Camp according to many), and Sherpa culture experienced without the crowds. The lakes sit at altitudes ranging from 4,700 to 5,050 metres, making them the world’s highest freshwater lake system. Sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, these lakes are pilgrimage sites where devotees believe bathing washes away sins. For Indians, Nepal’s proximity makes this bucket-list trek remarkably accessible. No expensive international flights. No complicated visas. Just a short flight to Kathmandu, a thrilling Lukla flight, and ten days of walking through one of Earth’s most stunning landscapes. Ready to discover where glaciers meet turquoise waters?

What Makes Gokyo Lakes Special

The Six Sacred Lakes

The Gokyo Valley contains a system of six main glacial lakes, each distinct and sacred:

1. Longpongo (First Lake): 4,650 m – The smallest, passed quickly on the way up
2. Taboche Tsho (Second Lake): 4,690 m – Marks the junction where trails diverge
3. Dudh Pokhari/Gokyo Cho (Third Lake): 4,750 m – The main lake beside Gokyo village, largest and most famous, where most trekkers stay
4. Thonak Tsho (Fourth Lake): 4,834 m – Largest and deepest at 160.8 acres, remote and less visited
5. Ngozumpa Tsho (Fifth Lake): 4,950 m – Spectacular Everest views, fed by Ngozumpa Glacier
6. Gyazumpa Tsho (Sixth Lake): 5,050 m – Most remote at 72 acres, rarely visited, pristine solitude

Why They’re Turquoise

The stunning colour comes from glacial flour, finely ground rock particles suspended in the glacial meltwater. Sunlight refracts through these particles, creating that otherworldly blue-green hue. The colour changes throughout the day with light conditions, from pale aqua in the morning to deep turquoise at noon to almost emerald at sunset.

Religious Significance

For Hindus, bathing in these high-altitude lakes during the Janai Purnima festival (August full moon) is believed to cleanse sins and bring merit. Buddhist pilgrims circle the lakes as a sacred kora (circumambulation). The combination of natural beauty and spiritual importance makes Gokyo deeply meaningful beyond just trekking.

The Gokyo Ri Viewpoint: Better Than Everest Base Camp?

At 5,357 metres, Gokyo Ri offers what many consider the best mountain panorama in the Everest region. Unlike Everest Base Camp, where mountains surround you, but Everest itself is partially obscured, Gokyo Ri provides a 360-degree view, including:

• Mount Everest (8,849 m)
• Cho Oyu (8,188 m) – 6th highest mountain
• Lhotse (8,516 m) – 4th highest
• Makalu (8,485 m) – 5th highest
• The entire Ngozumpa Glacier stretches below
• All six Gokyo Lakes shimmering turquoise

The climb from Gokyo village takes 2.5-3 hours. Start pre-dawn (around 4-5 AM) to reach the summit for sunrise. Watching the first light paint the Himalayas golden while standing above a sea of clouds is genuinely life-changing.

How to Reach Gokyo Lakes from India

Step 1: Fly to Kathmandu

From India: Multiple daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata

• Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet: ₹8,000-18,000 return
• Flight time: 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on the origin city

Visa: Indians get a free visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. Just carry a passport with 6 months’ validity and passport-sized photos.

Step 2: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu

The Adventure Flight: Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla has one of the world’s most thrilling runways, 527 metres long, perched on a hillside with a 2,000-foot drop at the end.

• Flight time: 30-45 minutes
• Cost: Rs 15,000-16,500 one way
• Book through a trekking agency; they handle this

Step 3: Trek to Gokyo

Standard Itinerary: 10-12 days total

• Day 1-2: Lukla to Namche Bazaar via Phakding
• Day 3: Acclimatisation day in Namche (crucial)
• Day 4: Namche to Dole
• Day 5: Dole to Machhermo
• Day 6: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,750 m)
• Day 7: Climb Gokyo Ri, explore lakes
• Day 8-10: Return to Lukla

Best Time to Visit

Peak Season (Recommended):

• Autumn (September-November): Clear skies, stable weather, best mountain views. October is perfect. Slightly crowded but manageable.
• Spring (March-May): Warm temperatures, rhododendron blooms, clear views. April is ideal. Fewer trekkers than in autumn.

Avoid:

• Monsoon (June-August): Heavy rain, leeches, obscured views, flight cancellations
• Winter (December-February): Extreme cold, snow-blocked trails, teahouses closed at higher elevations

Mandatory Requirements (As of 2023)

1. Licensed Guide Mandatory:

Nepal now requires all foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide. You cannot trek independently. This ensures safety, supports the local economy, and provides navigation help.

2. Two Permits Required:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: ₹2,500 (obtained in Kathmandu or Monjo)
• Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: ₹1,650 (obtained at entry point)

Trekking agencies handle permits as part of the package.

Accommodation: Teahouse Trekking

Gokyo trek uses teahouses (lodges), no camping required unless you specifically want it.

What to Expect:

• Basic but clean rooms
• Twin beds with mattresses and blankets (bring a sleeping bag for warmth)
• Shared bathrooms (squat toilets higher up)
• Dining halls with wood/yak-dung stoves
• Menu with dal-bhat, noodles, pasta, soups, Tibetan bread

Costs:

• Rs 300-800/night for a room
• Food separate: ₹200-500/meal
• Higher altitude = higher prices

Pro Tip: Stay at the same teahouse where you eat, room often becomes free or very cheap.

What to Pack

Clothing:

• Base layers (thermal)
• Fleece mid-layer
• Down jacket (essential above 4,000m)
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Trekking pants
• Warm hat, gloves, neck gaiter
• Sunglasses (glacier glasses ideal)
• Trekking boots (broken in)

Essentials:

• Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
• Trekking poles
• Water purification tablets or a filter
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Diamox for altitude (consult doctor)
• Power bank

Documents:

• Passport
• Travel insurance (mandatory, covering helicopter evacuation)
• Passport photos (for permits)

Altitude Acclimatisation: Critical

Altitude sickness is real and dangerous. Follow these rules:

1. Climb High, Sleep Low: Gain altitude slowly
2. Acclimatisation Day in Namche: Non-negotiable
3. Hydrate Constantly: 3-4 litres of water daily
4. Avoid Alcohol: Dehydrates and worsens altitude effects
5. Recognise Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath
6. Descend if Severe: Don’t push through serious symptoms

Diamox helps, but isn’t a cure. Proper acclimatisation is the only real solution.

The Ngozumpa Glacier Experience

Walking alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier, at 36 kilometres, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, is surreal. The ice formations, glacial debris, and sheer scale make you feel tiny. Some sections of the trek cross the glacier itself, following cairn-marked paths through the ice wilderness.

Pro Tips

1. Book Agencies in Advance: October-November sells out. Book 2-3 months ahead.
2. Flexible Schedule: Lukla flights are cancelled frequently due to weather. Build buffer days.
3. Cash Only: ATMs only in Namche. Carry enough Nepali rupees for the entire trek.
4. Charge Devices Sparingly: Electricity costs ₹200-500 per charge at higher elevations.
5. Hot Showers Cost: ₹300-500 each. Skip them or budget accordingly.
6. Eat Dal-Bhat: “Dal-bhat power, 24-hour!” Local saying. Unlimited refills, nutritious, and cheap.
7. Start Early Each Day: Afternoons bring clouds and wind. Morning trekking = better views.
8. Respect Sherpa Culture: Remove shoes indoors, don’t refuse tea, ask before photographing.

The Turquoise Lakes

Gokyo Lakes prove that sometimes the road less travelled rewards more generously. While thousands crowd Everest Base Camp, fewer venture to these turquoise jewels cradled by glaciers. The result? A trek that feels more authentic, more peaceful, more connected to the mountains themselves. You stand beside sacred waters that have reflected Everest for millennia. You climb Gokyo Ri and see four of Earth’s six tallest peaks in one panoramic sweep. You walk beside the Himalayas’ longest glacier. You share tea with Sherpas whose ancestors have called these valleys home for generations. For Indians, this trek is remarkably accessible. A long weekend flight away. Visa-free. English-speaking guides. Familiar dal-bhat sustaining you. And landscapes so stunning they’ll ruin every other trek comparison forever. So when you’re ready for mountains that humble you, lakes that calm you, and heights that challenge you, head to Gokyo. Where glaciers meet turquoise waters. Where Earth touches sky. Where the Himalayas reveal their most stunning secret.

These countries demonstrate how clean energy adoption, strong environmental policies and favourable geographical conditions can keep air pollution impressively low so its citizens can breathe easy.

According to the IQAir World Air Quality Report (2024), they consistently maintain annual average PM2.5 levels at or below the World Health Organization’s stringent guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Nations with the most admirable AQI

1. Bahamas

The Caribbean isles record an exceptionally low PM2.5 level of 2.3 µg/m³. Its marine location, steady ocean breezes and lack of heavy industry help preserve remarkably clean air, making it one of the best places in the world to experience truly fresh air.

2. Iceland

The Nordic nation’s average PM2.5 concentration stands at around 4 µg/m³, placing its air quality well within healthy limits and making it safe for people of all ages.

3. New Zealand

In 2024, New Zealand’s average PM2.5 concentration rose slightly to 4.40 µg/m³, marking a modest increase from the previous year’s level of 4.30 µg/m³. Despite this uptick, air quality remains among the cleanest globally. IQAir records show the country’s highest pollution levels were observed in 2018, when fine particulate matter peaked at 7.70 µg/m³.

4. Australia

The Land Down Under marked an average PM2.5 concentration of 4.5 µg/m³, keeping national air pollution levels within the World Health Organization’s strict safety benchmark of 5 µg/m³ or lower.

5. Estonia

Estonia’s annual PM2.5 concentration averages 4.6 µg/m³. Notably, despite nearly half the population residing in Tallinn and its surrounding region, the capital city itself recorded a lower annual average of 4.3 µg/m³, comfortably remaining beneath the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

6. Finland

With PM2.5 levels of 5.2 µg/m³, Finland benefits from dense forests, clean energy and tight emission standards.

7. Sweden

Yet another Scandinavian country in the top rankings, Sweden records 5.3 µg/m³ annually. A strong focus on renewables, urban planning, keeps air pollution consistently low.