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Top 10 Countries with Largest Railway Networks in the World

Throughout the 19th century, dozens of nations across the globe expanded their interest via steel veins and arteries that would connect major cities with rural and agricultural regions. Trains became the life force of countries, and many of them continued their expansion. Today, these rail networks span vast distances, and can put even the most ambitious engineering feats to shame.

Please find below: which countries boast the largest train networks?

1. United States
The largest rail network in the world belongs to the United States, covering approximately 250,000 km. Freight is king in America, powering its economy, although recent years have seen passenger service sparking renewed interest as cities push for greener mobility. Sources: (World Population Review) (Britannica) (Eurail)

2. China
China maintains roughly 159,000 km of track and the world’s biggest high-speed network. In just a few decades, rail transformed national mobility and reshaped travel expectations. The nation also boasts the fastest train in the world, which reaches speeds of up to 460 km/h.

3. Russia
The largest country in the world, Russia’s vast network spans an astonishing 105,000 km. The Trans-Siberian Railway (the longest railroad on Earth) is the embodiment of endurance as it links entire continents with forests and frozen coastlines.

4. India
India operates nearly 65,554 km of rail. Millions rely on trains daily, from overnight sleepers to emerging semi-high-speed corridors.

5. Canada
Canada’s network reaches about 49,422 km. Freight trains glide through forests and snow-covered mountains, and long passenger trips feel like slow cinema across wilderness.

6. Germany
Germany maintains roughly 39,379 km of rail. Efficient, dense, and central to daily commuting, it is all about speed and reliability as it connects medieval towns, industrial hubs, and global business centers.

7. Australia
One of the largest nations on the planet, Australia’s rail system covers about 36,064 km across deserts, coasts, and remote towns. Freight dominates, though long routes like the Ghan offer an unforgettable cross-continent experience.

8. Brazil
Brazil manages around 29,850 km of track, which is heavily freight-focused. Rails move minerals and agriculture across staggering distances, although modernization efforts seek to make passenger travel more relevant again.

9. France
France’s network stretches about 27,860 km. Renowned for its intercity high-speed rail service (known as the TGV), the nation balances national pride in speed with regional routes connecting vineyards and historic towns.

10. Japan
Japan runs roughly 27,311 km of rail. The network, known as Shinkansen, is the epitome of precision and speed. Countless local lines are examples of the country’s gentle rhythm and deep respect for public transportation.

The World’s Most Breathtaking Walled Cities

Since ancient times, humans have built walls to safeguard their homes and communities from attack. While many famous fortified cities such as Jericho and Troy have crumbled over time, plenty of characterful towns and cities remain with their age-old walls intact. From hilltop citadels to fortified coastal enclaves, scoured the world to find the most captivating walled cities, ranked them for their beauty.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Towering above the dazzlingly blue waters of the Adriatic, the sturdy medieval walls of Dubrovnik are a truly astounding sight. These magnificent walls were built in the 13th century, with some reinforcements added in the 15th century, to protect it from the Ottoman Turks.

Now world-famous for its starring role as King’s Landing in HBO’s Game of Thrones, the near-perfectly preserved walled town ranks as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It’s possible to do a circuit of the arresting battlements, which offer amazing views of the old town’s terracotta rooftops, passageways, Baroque churches and out to sea. It was a close-run thing but, for us, this place had to rank number one.

2. Carcassonne, France

This handsome hilltop city on the banks of the River Aude in France’s Languedoc region is the largest walled medieval city in Europe. Built on Roman remains, the Cite de Carcassonne (old town) is encircled by two outer walls that loom over the narrow alleyways and hidden corners within.

With 52 towers and barbicans, the walls were highly innovative at the time and designed to prevent attack by siege engines. They were restored in the 19th century by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc so look remarkably pristine. A circuit walk now loops around the battlements.

3. Pingyao, China

Pingyao in Shanxi province is one of China’s most remarkable ancient cities and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The wealthy trading center and once powerful financial center (as the home to China's first banks), is famed for its commanding and intact walls, old courtyard houses and temples.

The walls were first built during the reign of King Xuan (827–782 BC) of the Western Zhou Dynasty and later rebuilt in the 14th century. There are 72 observation towers and more than 300 battlements, although only one of the four original corner grand watchtowers, the Great Scholar Tower, remains.

4. Taroudant, Morocco

With its majestic ramparts and towers that have stood for more than five centuries, Taroudant – short-lived capital of the Saadian dynasty – is one of North Africa's most beautiful spots. Sometimes known as 'Little Marrakech', due to its distinctive blend of Berber and Islamic influences, the small city's stunning red-mud walls hide a labyrinth of historic streets, squares and souks that sizzle with shopping opportunities.

If you're after an authentic Moroccan trading town experience in the fertile Souss Valley, without the hassle of dodging tourists, this lesser-known gem is a wonderful place to spend some time. The views of the Atlas Mountains aren't bad either.

5. York, England, UK

Heaving with historic nooks and crannies, York has the longest medieval town walls in England at 2.1 miles long. They mainly date from the 13th century but were built on far older defences. The Romans first built walls here, which the Vikings later covered in earth and topped with a palisade (fence of pointed wooden stakes).

It's possible to walk all around the walls, passing fascinating details such as arrow slits, musket loops, sculptures and masons' marks. Four main ‘bars’ (or fortified gateways) allowed entry into the old city, as well as two lesser bars and a postern (a small gateway defended by a tower).

6. Mdina, Malta

Another fine example of a walled city lies in Malta, in the country's Western Region. Former capital Mdina sits perched on a plateau and is hidden behind thick fortifications.

Known as the Silent City, it was founded by the Phoenicians and there's evidence that walls circled the settlement as far back as 1000 BC. Today it's a place of great beauty and culture with a mix of medieval and baroque architecture, tangle of narrow alleys and grand palaces that remain home to wealthy Maltese families.

7. Obidos, Portugal

Hugged by castellated medieval walls, hilltop Obidos is one of Portugal’s prettiest towns. Given as a wedding present by King Dinis to Isabel of Aragon in 1282, the citadel is filled with little churches, white-washed homes (adorned with flower-filled window boxes) and a maze of narrow cobbled alleys.

Dating from the 14th century, much of the original walls remain and can be walked along via a narrow walkway. The town is dominated by the 12th-century castle, which is the setting for a delightful pousada (inn).

8. Xi’an, China

Built in 1370, the mighty 39-foot-high Ming Dynasty walls of Xi'an – capital of several ruling dynasties and powerful trade center – still exude defensive might. Running for 8.5 miles, the walls feature 98 flanking towers (where soldiers stood watch for enemies scaling the walls) and a watchtower at each of its four corners.

There was once a moat and drawbridge which made the old city completely impenetrable. Today walking or cycling along the wide path on top of the walls is one of Xi'an's most popular things to do.

9. Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany

Walking the walls that wrap around Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber is a top attraction of this picture-perfect town in Bavaria, with its half-timbered houses and grand medieval town hall. Situated on the scenic ‘Romantic Road’, the town developed around its fortress and became a powerful city – it had the coveted status of being an autonomous imperial city, or Reichsstadt, from 1274 until 1803.

The town’s intact walls, with their many towers and fortified gates, are among the finest in Germany.

10. Tallinn, Estonia

The tiny old town of Tallinn, protected for centuries by its practical yet pretty fortifications with fairytale towers, remains almost perfectly preserved. Inside the walls (much of which are still standing) lies a labyrinthine network of narrow cobbled passages, squares and timbered merchant houses dating back to the 13th century.

Set on the Baltic coast, Estonia’s capital was a thriving Hanseatic trading center during the Middle Ages.

World's Highest Bridge set to open in China

China is set to open the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in June 2025, a groundbreaking Engineering project.

World's highest bridge set to open in ChinaIt's called the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge and is found in southwest China's Guizhou Province. Construction of it is almost finished, with it set to open in June. It will be 625 meters (2,051 feet) above river level - 200m taller than the Eiffel Tower.

It will also feature a glass walkway, residential spaces, and the world’s highest bungee jump, positioning Guizhou as a rising tourist hub and showcasing China’s advanced infrastructure capabilities.

World's best Airport of 2025

The world's best airport has been crowned in a new ranking, The Singapore Changi Airport topped the list for a 'record-breaking' 13th time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The awards are the world's largest customer airport satisfaction survey and assess customer service and facilities across 565 airports.

Changi Airport has a huge number of attractions for travelers including a butterfly garden, a rooftop pool and a hedge maze.

Perhaps the airport's most famous feature, Changi's Rain Vortex is the world's tallest indoor waterfall, cascading from a height of 40m/131 feet.

Tourists can also tackle the airport's suspended trampoline, stroll through its canopy park or attempt the climbing wall.

Changi also picked up the awards for the World's Best Airport Dining and the World's Best Airport Washrooms.

Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, dropped into second place this year after winning the award in 2024.

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World's Most Stunning Train Stations

A charming train journey is on almost every traveler's wish list. And whether it's through lush countryside or rugged mountains, in the lap of luxury or standard class, every railway trip has to start & stop, somewhere.

01) St Pancras International, London, UK

After celebrating its 150th birthday in 2018, St Pancras International remains one of London's most important train stations, providing domestic services and international links to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and more. A wonder of Victorian engineering, the station suffered serious damage in 1942 when a bomb damaged the roof and platforms 3 and 4. However, it was back in operation after only a week of intensive repairs. The station's facade is most recognizable as the stand-in for King's Cross in the Harry Potter films.

02) Union Station, Washington DC, USA

The second busiest Amtrak station in the country, Union Station in Washington DC was originally a rundown building called an "embarrassment to the federal government" in the 1980s. Now it's been transformed into one of the most beautiful stations in the world. After undergoing an extensive restoration project, the station reopened in its present form in 1988.

03) Manarola station, Cinque Terre, Italy

Perched on a cliff in Italy's Cinque Terre, Manarola station is just a regular train station. However, it's the view from the platforms that makes it extra special. With beautiful cliffside vistas on either side and the blue expanse of the Ligurian Sea ahead, it's definitely one of the most picturesque settings for a train station.

04) Keleti palyaudvar, Budapest, Hungary

Severely damaged during both World Wars, Budapest's Keleti station has regained its former glory thanks to extensive repair and restoration work finished in 2014. Originally opened 130 years earlier (in 1884), the station impressed the public with its imposing dimensions – the central hall was 590 feet (180m) long and 103 feet (31.4m) tall. Statues of James Watt, who perfected the steam engine, and George Stephenson, who created the first steam locomotive, stand on either side of the facade.

05) Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Anaheim, USA

Drawing inspiration from the imposing main halls of stations like Grand Central and the structural elegance of airship hangars, Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, better known as ARTIC, is a stunning example of modern engineering. The station's entrance is an impressive 120-foot (37m) glass wall that leads into a spacious lobby with ticketing counters and waiting areas. At night, both the interior and exterior are lit up with colorful lights.

06) Penn Station, Pittsburgh, USA

Described as "one of the great pieces of Beaux-Arts architecture in America" by The New Yorker art critic Brendan Gill, this is Pittsburgh's only 20th-century station still in use. Officially called Union Station but referred to as Penn Station by locals, its most stunning feature is the street-level rotunda made from brown terracotta that resembles brownstone. The station's grand appearance is a monument to the glamorous days of rail travel in America.

07) Bahnhof Uelzen, Uelzen, Germany

An unusual building to see in northern Germany, Uelzen railway station dazzles with asymmetric colourful pillars covered in mosaics and ceramic tiles, golden balls adorning the roof and a disco ball-like dome at the back. One of the last works by Austrian modernist artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it was thanks to him the station received a complete makeover in 2000 for the Expo 2000 world fair.

08) Taipei Main Station, Taipei, Taiwan

One of the busiest stations in Asia and a major hub in Taiwan's rail network, Taipei Main Station impresses with its sheer size. More than 600,000 people pass through the terminal each day, with the building hiding a vast underground network with shopping streets, food courts and tunnels, connecting five different public transport options converging at the station.

09) Rotterdam Centraal, Rotterdam, Netherlands

One of the Netherlands' most important transport hubs, the station serves just as many travellers as Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. An excellent example of how ultra-modern architecture can fit seamlessly into a cityscape, Rotterdam Centraal's stainless steel-clad roof points to the heart of the city and the main hall opens up to a large public space often used for various events.

10) Union Station, Los Angeles, USA

Widely regarded as the last of the great train stations, LA's Union Station was built in 1939. The station's signature Mission Revival style makes it one of the city's most distinct buildings. Inside, the spacious ticket hall was equipped with a wooden ticket counter crafted from American black walnut and massive Art Deco chandeliers still hang from the ceiling in the vast waiting room. Although most of the station has remained largely unchanged, the original ticket lobby is now closed to the public and rented out for private events or used as a filming location.

Most impressive bridges in the world

The modern bridges in the world can impress everyone who sees them because of their length, height, or aesthetics around the world. Please let's have a look at bridges in the four corners of the world that are true architectural wonders!

01. Langkawi Bridge (Malaysia)
It’s more than 700m above sea level, the Langkawi Bridge in Malaysia is a curved footbridge that allows passers-by to stroll above the rainforest. It offers breathtaking views throughout its 125m.

02. Q'eswachaka suspension bridge (Peru)
Its a last remaining plant fiber bridge in Peru, the Q'eswachaka suspension bridge is built from ropes and braided cords. Regularly restored due to bad weather, it cannot be crossed by more than four people at the same time.

03. The Royal Gorge Bridge (US)
In the American state of Colorado, the Royal Gorge Bridge was the tallest bridge in the world from 1929 to 2011, standing 291m above the Arkansas River.

04. Glass bridge of Zhangjiajie (China)
In the heart of China's Zhangjiajie mountains, this glass bridge is 430m long, and 300m above the ground. It is one of the attractions of the Hunan Province Natural Park.

05. Akashi Strait Bridge (Japan)
the Akashi Strait Bridge connects Kobe to Awaji Island, Japan. With a length of 3,911m or 2.4 miles (including the 1991 central span), it is the second-longest suspension bridge in the world. It’s opened to traffic in 1998.

06. Golden Gate Bridge (US)
Among the most famous bridges in the world, we find the Golden Gate! The famous red bridge, a symbol of San Francisco, was completed in 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge is considered one of the most beautiful works of modern architecture.

07. Arouca Bridge (Portugal)
With its 516m (1,679 feet) long, the Portuguese Arouca Bridge (or '516 Arouca') became the longest pedestrian bridge in the world in 2021. Suspended 175m (574 feet) above the ground, it is remarkable for the two 'V' shaped pillars built at each of its ends.

08. Hangzhou Bay Bridge (China)
Measuring over 35km (28 miles), the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is one of the longest sea bridges in the world. Opened to traffic in 2008, it connects the two largest port areas in China: Shanghai and Ningbo.

09. Brooklyn Bridge (US)
In New York, the Brooklyn Bridge crosses the East River and connects Brooklyn to Manhattan. This 1,825m long (1.1 mile) suspension bridge is emblematic of the east coast metropolis.

10. Oresund Bridge (Denmark/Sweden)
The Oresund Bridge connects Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, to the Swedish city of Malmö. Motor and railway, the structure measures 7.8 km (48 miles) including 1 km (0.6 mile) suspended above the sea. Made up of four pylons measuring 204 m, it weighs a total of 82,000 tones.

World’s most incredible castles

The world is spotted with castles that brim with history and radiate power. These monumental marvels are a perfect inspiration for the itinerary of any epic journey. So please find below Most beautiful castles in the World.

01) Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

02) Hunyad Castle in Romania

03) Colomares Castle in Spain

04) Bojnice Castle in Slovakia

05) Chenonceau Castle in France

06) Dunrobin Castle in Scotland

07) Hohenzollern Castle in Germany

08) Trakai Castle in Lithuania

09) Dunnottar Castle in Scotland

10) Hochosterwitz Castle in Austria

Most romantic places in the world

Top romantic places in the world - No matter how many trips you have taken while you were single, there is something special, beautiful and happiness when traveling with someone you love. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, jetting off on your honeymoon, or merely seeking a getaway built for two, plan your trip with our list of the most romantic places in the world.

01. Paris, France