Nothing sparks a feeling of wanderlust quite like an incredible travel photo, so naturally we look forward to the Travel Photographer of the Year awards (TPOTY) every year. In 2017, there have been some particularly jaw-dropping entries, showcasing everything from gorgeous wildlife and environmental change to everyday humans and seriously dramatic landscapes. Here are just some of the beautiful winning photographs, chosen out of a huge 20,000 images submitted from photographers in 129 countries.

Commended in the 'Celebration of Humanity: People & Cultures Portfolio' category, this stunning photo depicting Gansu shadow puppetry was captured by Honghui Zhu in Gansu, China.

Receiving a special mention in the 'Celebration of Humanity: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, Somraj Sahu took this photograph during the festival of Eid-al-Fitr in Howrah, India.

Another special mention in the 'Celebration of Humanity: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this powerful image of a Chinese calligrapher was captured by Gavin Gough in Shaxi, China.

Also receiving a special mention in the 'Celebration of Humanity: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category was Trevor Cole, who took this photograph of young Hamar men in Turmi, Ethiopia.

A winner in the 'Celebration of Humanity: People & Cultures Portfolio' category, this striking image was captured by Paul Sansome in Patan Mahal, India.

Commended in the 'Earth & Climate: Natural World Portfolio' category, this photograph by Dani Salva shows the last iceman of the Chimborazo Volcano, Ecuador, climbing up the mountain to find ice to sell.

Highly commended in the 'Earth & Climate: Natural World Portfolio' category, this gripping photograph was captured from a helicopter by Thomas Kalak in Dubai.

A runner-up in the 'Earth & Climate: Natural World Portfolio' category, this dramatic photograph was taken by Mauro Tronto in Italy's Sibillini Mountains.

Receiving a special mention in the 'Earth & Climate: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this colourful photo of a bear waiting for fish was the work of Roie Galltz in Lake Kuril on the southern Kamchatka peninsula in Russia.

Also receiving a special mention in the 'Earth & Climate: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this dramatic photograph was taken by Luca Bracali in Svalbard, Norway.

Another special mention in the 'Earth & Climate: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this beautiful picture was taken by Joel Santos in Henningsvær, Lofoten, Norway.

Runner-up in the 'Flavours of the World: One Shot (Food)' category, this powerful photo of a woman distributing chicken skewers during a party was taken by Marina Spironetti in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Winner in the 'Flavours of the World: One Shot (Food)' category, this eye-catching image was taken by Jianhui Liao in Shanxi, China.

Winner in the 'iTravelled: Smart Shot' category, this interesting photograph was captured by Pia Vachha on an iPhone in Porto, Portugal.

Commended in the 'Destination: New Talent Portfolio' category, this intriguing shot was the work of Alexey Suloev in Yamal, Russia.

Highly commended in the 'Destination: New Talent Portfolio' category, this striking image was captured by Oscar Tarneberg in the Kirigamine Highlands, Japan.

Winning the 'Destination: New Talent Portfolio' category, this atmospheric photograph was taken by Alexandre Zindy in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Runner-up in the 'Primary Colours: One Shot' category, this dramatic image of a woman picking tea leaves was taken by Chaoyang Cai in Xiapu, Fujian province, China.

Commended in the 'Tales of Adventure: Creative Travel Portfolio' category, this stunning photograph was taken by Diana Buzoianu in Brașov, Romania.

Also commended in the 'Tales of Adventure: Creative Travel Portfolio' category, this beautiful picture of a steam train was also taken by Diana Buzoianu in Bukovina, Romania.

Highly commended in the 'Tales of Adventure: Creative Travel Portfolio' category, this tiger was photographed for the first time by Emmanuel Rondeau in the Ussurisk Reserve, Primorsky Krai, Russia.

Runner-up in the 'Tales of Adventure: Creative Travel Portfolio' category, this photograph of a warrior from the Terracotta Army was taken by Wenbin Gong in Xi'an, China.

Receiving a special mention in the 'Tales of Adventure: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this fascinating moment was captured by Xinghui Ma in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region in China.

Also receiving a special mention in the 'Tales of Adventure: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this aerial image was taken by Suwandi Chandra in Waerebo village on Flores Island, Indonesia.

Another special mention in the 'Tales of Adventure: Best Single Image in a Portfolio' category, this evocative photograph was captured by Shenghua Yang in Inner Mongolia, China.

Runner-up in the '15 to 18 Years Old: Young Travel Photographer' category, 18-year-old Axel Boberg captured this scene in Dubrovnik, Croatia.