The high life: beautiful mountain cities around the world

The idea of building cities in the mountains feels almost foolhardy; after all, it’s an attempt at establishing man’s will among some of nature’s most imposing landforms. Yet throughout history, brave souls from around the world have climbed and settled. The upshot for today’s travellers is unbeatable views to soak up all day long. Here are the world’s coolest mountain towns to visit.

1. Urumqi

The Tian Shan mountains carve through Central Asia, 2,500km of snow-lidded peaks weaving through a tapestry of pristine lakes, verdant meadows, deep valleys and arid deserts. Along their route sits the historic city of Urumqi. Once a key Silk Road trading hub, the modern regional capital has evolved into a vibrant home to some 3.5 million people. Signs of its cultural mix are immediately evident at the lively Grand Bazaar and Urumqi Cultural Center. Get away from it all by hiking around Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), a serene, Unesco-protected alpine lake two hours from the city.

2. Denver

Denver sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, whose formidable snow-capped peaks form a dramatic backdrop to the city’s skyline. As well as providing stunning scenery, the Rockies’ looming presence also sets the cadence of life in Denver, a city boasting nearly 300 days of sunshine a year. So many sunny, cloudless days are great for hiking the surrounding expanse of mountain parks, while evenings are made for soaking up the city’s thriving art, culture and culinary scenes. Denver’s collision of the cosmopolitan and outdoorsy is epitomised in the famous Red Rocks mountain park, home to the only naturally occurring acoustically “perfect” amphitheatre in the world, an iconic concert destination which has hosted dozens of music legends over the past 120 years – from The Beatles to Igor Stravinsky.

3. Grenoble

While the “Capital of the Alps” tag may be disputed (hello, Innsbruck, Austria), as France’s largest alpine city, Grenoble has an honest claim to the title. The Chartreuse Mountains cradle the northern nook of the city, Belledonne owns the view to the east and the majestic Vercors Massif rises to the west. Winding a course amid the city’s colourful architecture is the ribbony Isère river. Despite the grandeur of Grenoble’s alpine landscape, there’s a cosiness here; a charm found in the bustling boulangeries, cobblestone streets and honeyed light that shimmers off the glass “bubbles” of the Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car – the best way to capture a bird’s-eye view of this delightful place.

4. Kathmandu

While Mount Everest itself lies far to the east and can’t be seen from Kathmandu, the Nepali capital is still embraced by the grandeur of the Himalayas. On a clear day, snow-capped peaks from nearby ranges such as Langtang and Ganesh shimmer on the horizon, framing the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley in a dramatic mountain panorama. This lively, intoxicating landscape is mirrored in the city’s vibrant spirit – from its abundance of tea shops and bustling markets to regal stupas and serene Buddhist monasteries.

5. Hong Kong SAR

The glittering skyscrapers of Hong Kong’s famed urban topography compete with close to 600 mountainous peaks throughout the region, creating an arresting panorama. The tallest of these summits is Tai Mo Shan, a long-extinct volcano which is popular to ascend. For intrepid hikers, Lantau Island’s rustic Sunset Peak offers a slice of solitude in a city of 7.5 million. At sunrise, it’s nothing short of spiritual, especially when followed by a visit to the nearby Tian Tan “Big” Buddha, a giant bronze monument towering 34 metres atop already lofty peaks.

6. Zurich

Zurich’s easy elegance is felt everywhere in this swish city. The walkability. The generous green spaces. The historic and picturesque Old Town. The stylish shops and high-end restaurants. Plus, day-trip proximity to the statuesque Swiss Alps at the city’s southern edge mean Zurich also serves as a luxurious base for mountain excursions. Snowbirds will want to heed the siren song of the slopes at Flumserberg, a winter wonderland filled with 65km of ski trails fit for experienced downhillers and newbies alike. Wind down après-ski at the exquisite onsite restaurants, each with mesmerising views of the Alps – and all barely an hour’s drive from Zurich.

7. Vancouver 

The North Shore Mountains keep watchful gaze over Vancouver – rugged terrain ripe for outdoor adventure, whatever the season. In the warmer months, there’s hiking around Dog Mountain, ziplining Grouse Mountain or kayaking and paddleboarding at False Creek. Come winter, there’s skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on the slopes of Mount Seymour, an impressive summit boasting knockout vistas of the Vancouver skyline. The city is a popular filming location – no doubt thanks, in part, to its epic mountain scenery.