The Seventeen-Arch Bridge over Kunming Lake in Beijing Summer Palace, China
© Jia Wang/Getty Image
Seventeen arches at sunset
When it's winter solstice time (shortest day and longest night of the year) in the Northern Hemisphere, the setting sun shines under the Seventeen-Arch Bridge of the Summer Palace in Beijing, causing this romantic glow. In the 18th century, during the reign of the Qing dynasty of China, Emperor Qinglong ordered the construction of this 1.8 square kilometre collection of gardens, lakes, and various structures including temples and small palaces. It's one of Beijing's premier attractions and will be crowded today with visitors headed to the bridge in time for sunset.
Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park, California
Spring Point Ledge Light in South Portland, Maine
Edinburgh city skyline at night, Scotland
The Hickman Bridge at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
The hill station of Kausani in Uttarakhand, India
Noctilucent clouds in Lithuania
Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Nabatean tomb in Mada'in Saleh (aka Hegra), Saudi Arabia
