Phone Wallpaper - Bing Wallpaper Gallery

Apr 6, 2024Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

Today"s snapshot features the largest and most visited castle—Himeji Castle! Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature"s fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. The castle"s design embodies the quintessential characteristics of Japanese castle architecture, boasting a formidable array of defensive features intertwined with exquisite craftsmanship. In addition to the nearly 700 years of glory, local legends and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?Desktop Version

Jul 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Let"s take a trip to a forest of stones: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA. In the park, named after the Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, lies Sunset Point, seen in today"s image, a spot to see the hoodoos. These rock formations are created by frost weathering and stream erosion, which shape the stone into an otherworldly landscape. Perched at 2,438 to 2,743 metres, this overlook offers a panoramic view of rocky spires in red, orange and white. The most iconic of them is Thor"s Hammer, a hoodoo that overlooks a part of the park known as the "Silent City." The Queen"s Garden Trail, which leads from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point, offers even more vistas and rock formations, including the Queen Victoria hoodoo. According to the legend told by the Paiute indigenous people who inhabited this area, hoodoos are people who have been turned to stone for their misdeeds by the trickster Coyote. Whether you"re a hiker, a photographer or simply a traveller, the hoodoos are waiting.Desktop Version

Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, United States

Today, let us explore the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, United States. It spans more than 354 square kilometres, where silence speaks through the rustling leaves and trickling streams. This area, a cornerstone of Maine"s timber industry, now breathes tranquillity instead of timber clamour. Roxanne Quimby and her foundation started purchasing land near Baxter State Park in 2001 and donated it to the US federal government in 2016, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Katahdin Woods and Waters" diverse ecosystem provides a home for a variety of fauna, including moose, black bear, Canada lynx and numerous bird species like bald eagle and wood duck. It offers many outdoor activities for visitors, such as hiking, canoeing and camping. The monument has some of the darkest skies in the country due to the lack of electrical lighting in its vast expanse, making it a great place for stargazing.Desktop Version

Apr 1, 2024Palazzo Farnese, Rome, Italy

Today"s image shows a trompe l"oeil, or optical illusion, by French street artist JR on Palazzo Farnese in Rome. This trick of the eye makes it look like this Renaissance palace was opened, revealing the building"s past. The palace was originally commissioned by the Farnese family in 1517, but its grandeur expanded under the patronage of Pope Paul III, who ascended to the papacy in 1534. Designed by renowned architects such as Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Michelangelo, Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and Giacomo della Porta, the palace embodies the pinnacle of Italian Renaissance architecture. Owned by the Italian Republic, it serves as the French embassy in Italy, a testament to its enduring cultural and historical significance.Desktop Version

Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year

The streets come alive today with a symphony of firecrackers, red lanterns and cheerful chatter—it"s Chinese New Year. Steeped in thousands of years of tradition, this holiday marks the start of the lunisolar Chinese calendar. One of the most captivating images associated with this festival is the dragon dance, pictured here. This is a mesmerising performance where skilled dancers manipulate a long, flexible dragon puppet, bringing it to life with sinuous, undulating movements. The dragon, a symbol of power, dignity and good fortune, is believed to bring luck to the community, with longer dragons bringing even more prosperity.Desktop Version

Feb 27, 2025Polar bear cub, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

Polar bears are native to the Arctic and can be found in Alaska, Russia, Greenland and Svalbard. They"re also found in Canada—like the cub in today"s image, photographed in Churchill, Manitoba. Polar bears spend over half of their time hunting for seals on the sea ice, although they usually catch just one or two for every 10 that they try to catch. Their reliance on sea ice for hunting means that they are highly vulnerable to climate change. Sea ice is rapidly disappearing as the planet heats up, and polar bears are at risk of malnutrition and starvation as their hunting grounds vanish. Shrinking ice sheets also mean that these bears have to swim farther to find food, which depletes their energy reserves. It is important that we reduce our carbon footprints and contribute to the conservation of these amazing predators.Desktop Version

Oct 2, 2023Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is a day dedicated to honouring the "Father of the Nation", Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. On October 2, Ghandi—whose birthday is October 2, 1869— is commemorated as a national holiday in India. The United Nations General Assembly declared the day as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007 in recognition of the non-violent freedom-fighter. Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement, which led to India"s freedom from British rule. Today, we remember him as a symbol of peace and liberation in India.Desktop Version

Nov 6, 2023Lago Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Vivid turquoise waters mirroring the cerulean sky, surrounded by jagged peaks and lush forests—that"s Lake Pehoé for you. Nestled in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, this glacial lake is a masterpiece of nature. The towering peaks like the Cuernos del Paine and the Paine Massif are special too. But where does the lake get its hues from? It is primarily the result of the presence of finely ground rock particles and minerals, known as glacial flour or rock flour, suspended in the water. The term "Paine" is believed to originate from a Tehuelche word meaning "blue." At 1,813 square kilometres, Torres del Paine has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978. From hiking to kayaking to stargazing, this place has a lot to offer. So, pack your sense of adventure and head south to beat the blues.Desktop Version

Look, but don’t touch

Jan 26, 2025Republic Day

Republic Day isn"t just any other occasion—it"s an emotion. Every year on this day, the country wakes up to patriotic anthems, flag hoistings and a sense of unity. In 1950, on this day, India adopted its Constitution, officially becoming a sovereign republic. The President of India delivers an address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day. On the day itself, he raises the national flag in New Delhi, while Governors and Lieutenant Governors perform flag-hoisting ceremonies in their respective states and union territories.Desktop Version

Purple mountain majesties

Desktop Version

Nov 12, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany

The Badische Weinstraße is a picturesque route that stretches over 500 kilometers along the Black Forest, guiding you through some of Germany"s wine-growing regions. In today"s image, we find ourselves in Varnhalt, a charming wine village that is part of Baden-Baden. One of the region"s highlights is the Nägelsförsterhof winery, which has been in operation since 1588. This vineyard is well-known for producing Riesling wines, renowned for their exceptional quality.Desktop Version

A real fun guy…er, squirrel

Desktop Version

The bears of summer

Desktop Version

Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings

Among their feathered friends, Bohemian waxwings, clad in their elegant greyish-brown plumage, stand out as the wandering singers of the Northern Hemisphere. Their striking appearance comes from the contrast between their velvety grey body and the vibrant, waxy red tips gracing their secondary wing feathers. If alarmed, they freeze with their bill and neck pointing upwards. In winter, they feast upon cotoneaster, juniper and rowan berries—the latter is their favourite. As spring casts its spell, these nomads engage in nesting. The female waxwings craft the nests, laying 2 to 6 bluish-grey eggs. The hatchlings are fed a diet of insects and fruits by both parents. One can easily spot these sociable birds, as they often gather in chirpy flocks in North America and Eurasia.Desktop Version

Dec 4, 2023Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

In the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, where the African savanna stretches as far as the eye can see, cheetahs reign as the sprinting champions of the wildlife kingdom with measured speeds up to 128 kilometres per hour. Cheetahs, with their sleek bodies and black spots, thrive in this vast expanse, alertly watching for signs of prey. The reserve is known for its exceptional East African cheetah population. Sadly, habitat loss and human influence threatens their survival; hence, conservation efforts are crucial to protecting these incredible animals.Desktop Version

Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington

Washington State"s Enchantments region boasts more than 700 alpine lakes and ponds. Long before European settlers arrived, the Enchantments were home to Native American tribes such as the Yakima, Chinook, and Wenatchi. Waves of logging and mining in the 1900s transformed much of the landscape. Today, herds of mountain goats graze across the park, and ptarmigans roost in trees. The land undergoes transformation as the needles of the larch trees turn a shade of gold, casting a warm glow on the rocky terrain. Standing out in the Enchantments is Prusik Peak, a hidden gem among the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington"s Cascade Range, which serves as a symbol of both its domain and the Enchantments. It"s a wonderful site for experienced hikers and rock climbers, with a variety of climbs ranging from difficult to more common, attracting either skilled mountaineers or adventurers" intent on putting their skills to the test.Desktop Version

Mar 1, 2025Sandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States

A breathtaking maze of sandstone formations and awe-inspiring views awaits you at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. People have lived in this area for at least 10,000 years, including the Anasazi, Pueblo and Paiute Peoples. The hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion—in the park inspired Paiute mythology: they believed them to be the Legend People turned to stone by the trickster Coyote.Desktop Version

Feb 13, 2024Marigny, New Orleans, USA

Let the good times roll! Also called Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras is celebrated to live life to the fullest before fasting and giving up other indulgences for Lent—though many modern celebrators are just happy to use the occasion as an excuse to party. During the festive revelry of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the tradition of "throws" adds an extra layer of excitement to the celebrations. Throws are strings of beads, doubloons, cups and an assortment of trinkets, distributed or hurled from colourful floats to the exuberant spectators lining the streets. These throws are a cherished part of the Mardi Gras experience. Ready to make merry and join the parade?Desktop Version

Sep 26, 2023Venice Skatepark, Los Angeles, California

Unlike its Italian namesake, Venice in California is not known for canals and quaint cobblestone streets. It is, instead, a skateboarder"s paradise. Located next to the sun-kissed shores of Venice Beach, the Venice Skatepark stands as a testament to the rich history of skateboarding in the state.Desktop Version

May 5, 2025Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

If Dunluce Castle, pictured here, feels like something straight out of "Game of Thrones," that"s because it is the real-life inspiration for Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. Built in the 13th century, this castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was once a stronghold of the MacDonnells of Antrim, a branch of the Clan MacDonnell that played a key role in Irish politics from the 15th to the 17th century. The family"s fortunes declined after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and with little money for upkeep, the castle gradually fell into ruin.Desktop Version

Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.Desktop Version

Bing wallpaper for mobile