Located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tijuca National Park is an urban oasis full of adventure.
Travelers will recall the statue of Christ the Redeemer from countless postcards, but what those photos don't show is the jungle that teems on the mountain it stands upon.
This is one of Rio's hidden gems - 8,000 acres of flora and fauna invite visitors to hike, explore and even hang glide as they over like the sprawling metropolis.
"One of the largest urban forests in the entire world, the park boasts 30+ waterfalls and hundreds of types of plant life," states AOL Travel.
Within the park is one of Brazil's best lookouts: Vista Chinesa. This tribute to the massive Asian population that resides in Rio and many of the country's other major cities is a beautiful place where many people jump off to hang glide or start a climb up the rocky crags.
Of course, travelers should still make the trek up Corcovado to see the Christ statue via an exciting train ride. The steep ascent is thrilling as the locomotive brings passengers to the summit.
The best way to explore Tijuca National Park is with a small group of adventure travelers.
Tijuca National Park offers an urban adventure in Rio
Posted on Thursday, April 14th, 2011
