A swamp is a wetland. Wetlands are usually either partially or intermittently covered with water. While most of us may hear about a swamp and think of ugly, smelly, dark places that don't support much in the way of biological life, swamps and wetlands can be just the opposite. Many of the wetlands in Asia have been turned into parks, gardens, and reserves that are home to many species of plants, birds, and animals. Swamps aren't just rich in resources they need to survive and thrive there, but local Asian populations can also use these biologically diverse wetlands to support themselves agriculturally and even financially.

RELATED: 10 Countries In Asia That Should Be On Everyone’s Bucket List

10 Xixi National Wetland Park - China

This large wetland park contains plant life and aquatic species that can be traced back over 1,800 years. Located in the Hanghou, Zhejang province and home to bird species such as wild geese as well as shrimp, eel, and crab in the water, you'll find water villages here that can trace their ancestry back dozens of generations. These locals farm the waters for fish to sell in local markets or even run silkworm feeding and production operations. The Xixi National Wetland Park in China will keep any photographer busy for months on end with plenty of things to capture. Be sure to check out one of the traditional dragon boat festivals, too.

9 Zoige Marsh - China

Another area of wetlands in China is the Zoige Marsh located on the Tibetan Plateau. Most of the marsh occupies space in the Sichuan province and it was created by the poor drainage of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers which border it. The Min Mountains also border it on the east and the Amne Mountain Range on the west. At 3,600 meters above sea level, it's the highest wetland and swamp based on elevation. Within this large wetlands, there are four distinct regions that each have their own biological makeup with different species of plants, birds, and animals that call that region home. Because of that, the Zoige Marsh in China can offer a photographer many landscapes to choose from.

8 Hakaluki Hoar - Bangladesh

Over 550 species of animals and birds have been recorded at Hakaluki Hoar in Bangladesh. Many of them have been listed as threatened or vulnerable and some even as endangered or critically endangered. Almost 200,000 people live and thrive in the areas surrounding these wetlands and they are a rich resource for them. However, at the same time, locals take care in preserving the biology of the wetlands. The Kushiara and Sonai Bardal Rivers feed these marshlands and as the plant and animal life has evolved here, so has the landscape. If you're looking to photograph rare species, then Kakaluki Hoar might just be the place to do it.

7 Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands - Japan

Japan, as an archipelago of islands, is home to quite a few swamps and wetland areas. However, in 1976, the government decided to set aside land inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to house the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands. The park is open to the public during warmer weather for a small admission fee that goes to help care for the biome. Today, there are over 1,700 species of plants at the botanical gardens and some not even native to Japan. These plants are cultured and cultivated to bring out their true beauty and the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands should be a travel destination on any photographer's bucket list.

6 Asmat Swamp - New Guinea

Named after the Asmat people who inhabit the swamp, these wetlands in Papua New Guinea may just be the largest in the world in terms of square kilometers at over 30,000. Because of its large size, there are many different regions with vastly different biologies throughout the wetlands, from mangroves along the coast to deep mud that floods when the tides come in.

RELATED: The 10 Most Photogenic Swamps In The United States

You'll even find areas of freshwater alongside areas of saltwater depending on what kind of water feeds that area. Until the 1950s, the Asmat people were completely isolated from the outside world and while it's still very difficult to travel deep into these swamps, the photographers who travel here and brave the treacherous conditions may just find they are photographing people who've never had their picture taken.

5 Candaba Swamp - Philippines

You wouldn't expect to find a large area of wetlands less than 40 miles from the bustling city of Manila in the Philipines. However, that's just where you will find the Candaba Swamp. Many photographers have claimed that Candaba is one of the most beautiful swamps in the world and once you get there you'll probably think the same thing. You'll see a vastly different landscape whether you visit during the dry season or the wet season. The flooded grasslands are perfect for many species of migratory waterbirds and these floods also bring many nutrients to the soil. When the dry season comes, these nutrients help the locals to grow rice, watermelons, and other crops. Being so close to Manila, not only is this ideal farmland, but it's also very easy for photographers to travel to.

4 Tigris-Euphrates Swamp - West Asia

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet in rural West Asia and the subtropical environment creates a network of lakes and marshes with intertwining streams and forests that provide plentiful resources for the local biology. You'll find everything from small frogs and lizards to large water buffalo thriving in this habitat, all living on the plant and aquatic life that also thrives on the nutrient-rich waters that slowly make their way through the dense wetlands. All of these living things, from small to large, also help to support the local population who depend on the swamp's resources.

3 The Mekong Delta - Vietnam

If you don't immediately think of the Vietnam war when someone mentions this beautiful country, you will most likely imagine the Mekong Delta with floating markets, rice paddies, and a network tributaries separating marshes and islands from the open waters. This delta is a staple of Vietnamese culture as well as commerce. If you plan on photographing the Mekong Delta, many boaters will be glad to travel you around for a bit for just a few dollars and you can't beat the shots you can get from a boat.

2 Aogu Wetlands - Taiwan

The Aogu Wetlands in Taiwan are the largest in the country at over 1,500 hectacres and is home to over 200 species of birds. It sits at the mouth of the Beigang River and is a unique blend of muddy swamps, islands that appear from time to time, and even ponds and small lakes when you get farther inland. In 2009, the Aogu Wildlife Conservation Sanctuary was formed to help protect the native species.

1 Kranji Marshes Park - Singapore

When the Kranji dam was built to form the Kranji reservoir, marshes were formed that were later named as the Kranji Marshes Park. As of 2016, the freshwater marshes are open to the public and are managed by the Nature Society of Singapore or NSS. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded here, and several of them are endangered. With the park being protected now, the NSS hopes to increase the population numbers of the endangered birds. The park is relatively small which means you won't need a lot of time to photograph it; however, if you take your time, you might just find the shot of a lifetime.

NEXT: 20 Hidden Gems in Asia That Make the U.S. Look Like A Dump