10 things to see in Switzerland that's more than cheese

If countries were models on a runway, Switzerland would most definitely charm everyone's socks off. 

The Central European country is blessed with snowy peaks in the Alps, old historical towns and numerous alpine lakes. 

While the country is famous for its yodelling goatherds and cheese, there's more to it than you think. 

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1. Lauterbrunnen

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Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss Alps features towering cliffs and the roaring Staubbach Falls. Look closely and you'll spot ice caves and glaciers in the region. 

2. Basel

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Basel is known as the cultural capital of Switzerland where architects, artists, designers and thespians converge. The city is the third most populous in the country and has anything from an Anatomical Museum to a Cartoon and Caricatures Museum. As you can see from the colourful street wall, art isn't confined to just the museums in this vibrant city!

3. Pierre Avoi

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Pierre Avoi is a mountain in the Swiss Pennine Alps, the western arm of the Swiss Alps which run over Switzerland and Italy. While it is one of the many peaks in the alps, Pierre Avoi stands out for its peculiar chimney-like peak. If you are a photography enthusiast, this is one spot you should visit. 

4. Bern Old City

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The Old City of Bern in Switzerland is full of medieval character. The city gained UNESCO status in 1983 for retaining its stone buildings, arcades and bridges amidst rapid modernisation.

5. Interlaken

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The resort town of Interlaken is more of an adventure paradise than anything else. Nestled in the middle of Thun and Brienz Lakes, the town serves as a transit stop before hikers make their way to the mountainous Bernese Oberland. Adventure enthusiasts can even skydive or paraglide over the scenic town.

6. Appenzell

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Goatherds tending to their herd in the traditional city of Appenzell in Switzerland. The city is known for rural customs and traditional festivities.

7. Bernese Oberland

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The mountainous region overlooks Switzerland's prominent peak, Jungfrau. If you're up for it, go for a long hike into the wilderness. There are also cable car rides up for those who simply want to enjoy the view.

8. Oeschinesee

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The Oeschine Lake in Switzerland glistens beneath the rocky alps. The lake is fed by a series of subterranean rivers and glacier melt. There is also a famous toboggan ride that twines around the mountains, offering a gorgeous yet exhilarating view all the way down.

9. Matterhorn

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Remember the mountain on the Toblerone chocolate bar? A unique feature of Matterhorn is its near-symmetrical pyramidal peak. The 4,478m high mountain has four steep faces which look toward the four compass points of Hörnli, Furggen, Leone and Zmutt ridges.

10. Aletsch Glacier

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The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps which covers 81.7 square kilometers! In 2007, hundreds of people turned up in the nude on the glacier to pose for a photograph. The photographer Spencer Tunick wanted to drive home a message about global warming. At the time of the shoot the temperature was a warm 10 °C.

debwong@sph.com.sg