The Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog, a fortress-like village at sunrise and glittering skyscrapers: The incredible photos that will inspire you to plan a city break

  • These mesmerising snaps have been entered in National Geographic Traveler's photographer of the year contest
  • One of the amazing shots reveals the density of life in Hong Kong, with clusters of skyscrapers in a concrete jungle
  • Another is a dizzying image of the Eiffel Tower, which was taken by a photographer standing under the landmark

By Chris Kitching for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

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While some tourists may prefer peace and quiet of the countryside, these mesmerising shots of high-rise towers, underground trains and famous landmarks may inspire travellers to plan a city break.

The breathtaking photos were taken at ground level and from high above cities such as Hong Kong, Paris and xxx.

Some provide a spectacular snapshot of daily life in a bustling metropolis, while others show glittering skylines at night.

One of the incredible photos reveals the density of life in Hong Kong, with clusters of skyscrapers turning it into a concrete jungle. Lurking beneath the prosperity, said photographer Andy Yeung, is a severe housing problem.

Another shot shows a dizzying view of Paris' Eiffel Tower from ground level. Photographer Alejandro Merizalde said he set out to show the iconic landmark from a different angle and create an almost abstract, yet totally unrecognisable, point of view. 

The images have been entered in National Geographic Traveler's annual photographer of the year contest, which celebrates the best in travel photography.

Photographers have until May 27 to submit their photos for a shot at the grand prize - a seven-day polar bear photo safari for two in Churchill, Manitoba, in the Canadian Arctic.  

Photographer Andy Yeung said Hong Kong (pictured) is a great city, a severe housing problem lurks beneath the prosperity

Photographer Andy Yeung said Hong Kong (pictured) is a great city, a severe housing problem lurks beneath the prosperity

Cyclists are reflected in water while cycling past the stunning City of Arts and Sciences building in Valencia, Spain 

Cyclists are reflected in water while cycling past the stunning City of Arts and Sciences building in Valencia, Spain 

This spectacular shot shows freeway interchanges at night in Los Angeles, which has a reputation for frustrating traffic jams

This spectacular shot shows freeway interchanges at night in Los Angeles, which has a reputation for frustrating traffic jams

On a recent trip to Paris, Alejandro Merizalde set out to take a photo that would show the Eiffel Tower from a unique angle

On a recent trip to Paris, Alejandro Merizalde set out to take a photo that would show the Eiffel Tower from a unique angle

A young boy plays basketball at school on a court that is backdropped by colourful apartments and palm trees in Hong Kong

A young boy plays basketball at school on a court that is backdropped by colourful apartments and palm trees in Hong Kong

I remember thinking, could that be me? Is that a glimpse of my future self? We were caught in reflection, inside of a reflection and amid the busy metro of Seoul, South Korea.

I remember thinking, could that be me? Is that a glimpse of my future self? We were caught in reflection, inside of a reflection and amid the busy metro of Seoul, South Korea.

The photo of Lombard Street in San Francisco, often called the most crooked street in the world, was taken from a helicopter

The photo of Lombard Street in San Francisco, often called the most crooked street in the world, was taken from a helicopter

The Golden Gate Bridge, photographed from a helicopter, peeks through the fog
Crowds gather at Seville's Metropol Paraso, the largest wooden structure in the world

The Golden Gate Bridge, photographed from a helicopter, peeks through the fog (left). Crowds at Seville's Metropol Paraso (right)

The 19th and early 20th century Dawoodi Bohra neighbourhoods of Sidhpur, India, have a strong European architectural character

The 19th and early 20th century Dawoodi Bohra neighbourhoods of Sidhpur, India, have a strong European architectural character

Photographer Julia Wimmerlin captured a visually striking photo of Hong Kong's glittering skyscrapers at night

Photographer Julia Wimmerlin captured a visually striking photo of Hong Kong's glittering skyscrapers at night

David Wu visited the Great Wall of China in Beijing on an early winter morning while it was devoid of tourists and covered in a light fog

David Wu visited the Great Wall of China in Beijing on an early winter morning while it was devoid of tourists and covered in a light fog

Paul Nevin took this picture of a fortress-like village, perched on the edge of a massive escarpment in Wadi Dohan, Yemen, at sunrise

Paul Nevin took this picture of a fortress-like village, perched on the edge of a massive escarpment in Wadi Dohan, Yemen, at sunrise

Commissioned by Mussolini, Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, in Rome, was imagined and built as a great symbol of fascism for the world

Commissioned by Mussolini, Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, in Rome, was imagined and built as a great symbol of fascism for the world

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has been transformed from a desert backwater to one of the world's most glamorous cities

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has been transformed from a desert backwater to one of the world's most glamorous cities

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