The astonishingly landscaped Union Territory of Ladakh and Mayurbhanj, the largest district in Odisha which is the only place in the world where one can find the rare Black Tiger have found a place in the TIME Magazine’s top 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in 2023. As per TIME, the list was compiled on the basis of feedback from its international network of contributors and correspondents, ‘with an eye towards destinations offering new and exciting experiences’.

“Many locations on this list are finding ways to let tourists visit with a more limited environmental impact. And many have responded to travellers’ desire to have unique, local experiences by offering indigenous-led tours or curated homestays” – Emma Barker Bommo, Senior Editor, TIME in conversation with CNN.

TIME, explaining the selection of these far flung destinations, says that some of these destinations are enforcing sustainable tourism practices to protect their natural beauty. TIME added that India’s Mayurbhanj and Ladakh have been added for their rare tigers, ancient temples adventure and eats. Mayurbhanj is the only place in the world to boast of the rare Black Tiger, as well as the Similipal National Park.

Ladakh has astonishing landscapes and epitomizes the Tibetan Buddhist culture. Famous eateries of India, Karim of Delhi and Nathu’s Sweets have opened shop in Leh in 2022. Further the first Dark Sky Reserve in Hanle about 270km from Leh. The famous Café Montagne that serves tempura fried prawns with sea buckthorn and spiced fried chicken at Leh and Farmer’s House Café in Turtuk, which is 5 hours from Leh have also been suggested by TIME. Ahmedabad and Kerala were suggested under the same list in 2022.

The Emirate of Sharjah, which is also called the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates makes it to the list as well.

Medellín, Colombia once infamous for the residence of drug cartel chief Pablo Escobar has now blossomed into a thriving culturally rich metropolis after the drug lords death and finds a place in the list. Tumotu Archipelago in French Polynesia, another town in the list has made it a policy of allowing 1 foreign visitor per local resident.

This year’s list, as per TIME, also includes reporting to help readers navigate the sometimes chaotic travel industry, from what to do when something inevitably goes wrong at the airport, to how cruises have changed since the pandemic, and how to score the best flight and hotel deals.

50 Destinations to Explore in 2023