20 Astonishing Destinations That Defy Belief
By Jack Ripley | May 2, 2024
Lake Hillier, Australia
There are extraordinary places on Earth where reality blurs and nature displays its most bizarre creations. From Antelope Canyon in Arizona, where swirling rock formations paint a dreamlike scene, to the Tunnel of Love in Ukraine, a passage with intertwined trees resembling a fairy tale corridor, it's hard to believe these places are real. These are not scenes from a fantasy movie; these are real places that challenge our perceptions of what the Earth can craft. Here are 20 bizarre places that look like they don't exist.
Nestled on Middle Island in Western Australia, Lake Hillier is a vibrant lake with a bubblegum-pink hue. Scientists believe that the unique color is a result of microorganisms, like Dunaliella salina and bacteria, in the lake's salt crust. These microorganisms produce pigments that give the water its striking pink color. Despite being a salty lake, Lake Hillier is safe to swim in, and the contrast between the bright pink water and the surrounding eucalyptus trees and blue sky creates a surreal and breathtaking scene. From above, Lake Hillier is like a piece of abstract art painted on the landscape, standing out against the greenery of the island and the nearby blue of the Southern Ocean.
Vinicunca, Peru
Vinicunca, often referred to as the Rainbow Mountain, is a picturesque landscape in the Peruvian Andes. This place looks like it doesn't belong to our world, with its vibrant, multicolored stripes resembling a giant painted canvas.
The mountain's unique hues, ranging from deep reds and purples to bright yellows and greens, are a result of different minerals, like iron and sulfur, present in the soil. Over millions of years, geological processes have sculpted these patterns, creating a rainbow-like spectacle. These stripes are due to 14 different minerals. Ice once covered the region, and when the ice melted, the melting ice mixed with the Earth's minerals, creating a cascade of colors.
Trekking to Vinicunca feels like embarking on a journey to an undiscovered realm, where each step reveals a new layer of color. The high altitude and challenging terrain add to the sense of adventure, making the final view of the Rainbow Mountain even more rewarding.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Grand Prismatic Spring in Wyoming is a natural wonder with a massive, steaming pool of water surrounded by vibrant colors. This hot spring, located in Yellowstone National Park, is the largest of its kind in the United States and captivates visitors with its otherworldly beauty.
The pool has shades of blue, green, orange, and red, creating a wonderful rainbow effect. These colors are a result of pigmented bacteria and other microorganisms that thrive in the varying temperatures of the spring. As you walk along the boardwalk, the steam rises, and the colors intensify, making it feel like you've stepped into a fantasy realm. The vibrant hues against the backdrop of the surrounding wilderness create a scene that appears straight out of a fantasy novel.
Dead Vlei, Namibi
Dead Vlei in Namibia is an almost unbelievable place that appears like a scene from a fantasy movie. There's a vast, white clay pan surrounded by towering red sand dunes. In the middle of this lunar-like landscape, you'll find the eerie remains of ancient trees, their skeletal forms contrasting sharply against the white desert.
The juxtaposition of the lifeless trees against the stark background creates a stunning landscape. The trees, believed to be over 900 years old, stand as silent witnesses to a time when the area was a flourishing oasis. Now, the pan is dry, and the trees are preserved in a hauntingly beautiful way.
The play of light and shadows throughout the day adds to the otherworldly feel of Dead Vlei. It's a place that challenges our perception of reality, making you wonder if you've stepped into a dream. Visiting Dead Vlei is like stepping into one of Salvador Dali's paintings.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon in Arizona is like stepping into a fairy tale land that's both enchanting and surreal. Carved by the forces of wind and water over many years, this natural wonder is a jaw-dropping spectacle of swirling rock formations. The walls of the canyon are painted in shades of red, orange, and purple, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
What makes Antelope Canyon even more astonishing is the way sunlight filters through the narrow openings at the top, casting magical beams that illuminate the canyon floor. It feels as though you're walking through a secret passage to another world. The smooth, curving walls add to the illusion, making it a place that looks almost too fantastical to be real. Visiting Antelope Canyon is like entering a living work of art where nature has crafted something truly extraordinary.
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico appears as if it belongs to another realm. Hidden beneath the surface of the Earth, this bizarre place is a vast network of caves filled with extraordinary formations. Stalactites hang like icicles from the cave ceiling, and stalagmites rise from the floor, creating a surreal underground landscape.
One of the most astonishing spots in Carlsbad Caverns is the Big Room, a colossal chamber that feels like a hidden city below ground. The formations within the caverns are a result of water slowly dripping and shaping the rock over thousands of years. The cave also has a natural entrance, making it seem like a mysterious portal into an ancient world. What adds to the enchantment is the play of light, illuminating the cave formations in a way that feels almost magical. It's like walking on a different planet where nature has sculpted an underground masterpiece.
Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is a surreal landscape that seems like it's from another planet. Imagine a place where the ground is covered in vibrant, colorful pools of bubbling hot springs and the air shimmers with intense heat. It's a real-life alien world right here on Earth.
What's so peculiar about the Danakil Depression is the presence of hydrothermal fields, where hot magma beneath the Earth's surface interacts with salt deposits, creating an otherworldly mix of colors and textures. There are bright yellows, oranges, and reds stretching across the land, making it look like a painting brought to life.
In this extreme environment, temperatures soar, and the ground is often cracked and dry. It's one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth, yet its harsh conditions contain this unique and mesmerizing scenery. Visiting the Danakil Depression feels like stepping onto an extraterrestrial landscape.
Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland
Fjaðrárgljúfur in Iceland is a place that looks straight out of a magical storybook. Towering cliffs, moss-covered canyons, and a winding river meander through this gorgeous landscape. The enchanting canyon is a hidden gem, seemingly too extraordinary to be real.
The canyon walls are like ancient giants, covered in a vibrant green blanket of moss. The river flows at the canyon's base, adding to the fairy-tale-like atmosphere. The interplay of light and shadows on the canyon walls creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle.
Fjaðrárgljúfur's unique appearance is shaped by the forces of nature over thousands of years, and exploring the canyon feels like stepping into a mythical land, where every turn reveals a new, awe-inspiring view.
Fly Geyser, Nevada
Fly Geyser in Nevada is a truly fantastical sight that seems like it's been plucked from a children's storybook. Nestled in the Black Rock Desert, the geyser is a burst of vibrant colors against the desert landscape, and its rainbow-like appearance is due to the minerals and algae that cover its surface.
The story behind Fly Geyser adds to its mystique. It was accidentally formed during a well drilling operation in the 1960s, and over time, mineral deposits and thermophilic algae turned it into an extraordinary work of art. The geyser's ever-changing hues, ranging from reds and oranges to greens and blues, make it look like a living, breathing painting. Visiting Fly Geyser is like entering a surreal wonderland - the geothermal activity beneath the Earth's surface creates unexpected bursts of color.
Jervis Bay, Australia
Jervis Bay in Australia is a coastal paradise that seems like a scene from a dream. With its dazzling white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, this place is the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility. The sand in Jervis Bay is so fine and bright that it almost sparkles in the sunlight. In fact, Hyams Beach, in Jervis Bay, holds a Guinness World Record for having the whitest sand in the world.
The bay's waters are not just clear; they're practically see-through, allowing you to spot marine life beneath the surface. As you stroll along the shore, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle lull of waves, it feels like you're stepping into a picture-perfect postcard. Jervis Bay's pristine beauty challenges the idea of a beach as we know it, creating a place that looks too idyllic to be real.
Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
The Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska are an interesting combination of ice and colors. Tucked away within the Mendenhall Glacier, these caves cleverly display nature's frozen artistry. What makes this place so unreal is the way the ice forms intricate shapes and brilliant shades of blue, creating a dreamlike landscape.
As you enter the caves, you're surrounded by walls of ancient ice that seem to glow with an otherworldly light. The stunning blue hues are a result of the dense ice absorbing every other color on the spectrum except blue, making it a surreal visual experience. The ice caves constantly change as the glacier moves and shifts, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving masterpiece. Exploring the Mendenhall Ice Caves feels like entering a secret world where time stands still and nature's artistry takes center stage.
Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico
Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico is a natural wonder with its extraordinary glow. This bioluminescent bay, located on the island of Vieques, contains water that glows in the dark. The bioluminescence in Mosquito Bay is caused by microorganisms known as dinoflagellates that emit light when disturbed. As you move through the water, the tiny organisms light up, creating bright bursts of blue light. This phenomenon is so intense that it's often referred to as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.
Imagine kayaking through the bay at night, with each paddle stroke causing the water to light up like a constellation of stars. Mosquito Bay is a living light show. The bay is beautiful during the day, but it's breathtaking at night. The best views are at night with a new moon.
Naica Mine, Mexico
The Naica Mine in Mexico is a mind-boggling place that seems like something out of a science fiction story. Deep within the Earth, this underground marvel is home to gigantic crystals. The crystals in Naica Mine are made of gypsum, a mineral that forms when mineral-rich groundwater interacts with the rocks. The result is enormous crystals that can reach lengths of up to 36 feet and weigh several tons. The Crystal Cave, a part of the Naica Mine, is like entering a fantastical realm where crystals grow to astonishing sizes.
The conditions in the mine are extreme, with high temperatures and humidity, making it a challenging environment for exploration. The crystals themselves have taken thousands of years to form, creating a mysterious and ancient underground landscape. Visiting Naica Mine is like stepping into a hidden chamber of wonders, where the natural world has sculpted something so extraordinary that it almost defies belief.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale in Turkey is a surreal and otherworldly destination that appears straight out of a sci-fi movie. Known as the "Cotton Castle," this place is a magical wonderland of terraces filled with milky-blue pools and white, petrified formations. The contrast between the snowy appearance of the terraces and the warm climate of Turkey adds to the bizarre feel.
The terraces are formed by mineral-rich thermal waters that flow down the hillsides and deposit calcium carbonate. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind these stunning white terraces that resemble a winter paradise. Walking on the terraces feels like stepping into a natural spa, with the warm water flowing over the edges, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Pamukkale is also home to the ancient city of Hierapolis, adding a touch of history to this landscape. The combination of ancient ruins and the terraces makes Pamukkale a place that challenges our perception of reality.
Richat Structure, Mauritania
The Richat Structure in Mauritania looks like a giant eye staring back at us from the Earth's surface. Also known as the "Eye of the Sahara," this bizarre formation is visible from space, capturing the imagination with its mysterious and captivating appearance. The structure also has a perfectly circular shape, spanning about 30 miles in diameter.
Scientists believe that the Richat Structure was formed through a combination of geological processes over millions of years, including erosion and uplift. The result is a stunning concentric pattern of rocks and sediment that creates the illusion of an immense eye on the desert landscape.
Despite its grand scale, the Richat Structure remained unnoticed until the Space Age, when astronauts first spotted it from orbit. It's a reminder of the hidden wonders that our planet holds and the fact that even from space, Earth can reveal intricate and unexpected formations.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is an unreal landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is the world's largest salt flat, and during the rainy season, it transforms into a giant mirror, creating an otherworldly illusion where the sky meets the ground in a seamless blend.
When the salt flat is covered with a thin layer of water, it reflects the sky so perfectly that it creates a breathtaking mirror effect. This natural phenomenon turns Salar de Uyuni into a dreamlike, infinite space where the boundaries between land and sky blur. It's like walking on water, surrounded by the reflection of clouds and sunlight.
During the dry season, the salt flat resembles a hexagonal pattern of geometric shapes, making it look like an immense natural mosaic. The isolation and grandeur of Salar de Uyuni add to the magical feel of this setting.
Stone Forest, China
Known as the "First Wonder of the World," the Stone Forest in China appears like a forest made entirely of stone. Also known as Shilin, this natural wonder is a vast labyrinth of limestone formations, where the towering rocks resemble ancient trees frozen in time.
Wandering through the Stone Forest feels like stepping into a mythical realm where nature has sculpted intricate stone pillars and spires over millions of years. The unique karst formations create a mysterious atmosphere, prompting visitors to imagine ancient stories and legends embedded in the stone.
One of the most famous formations is the Ashima Stone, named after a local folklore character. Legend has it that Ashima was transformed into a stone pillar, adding a touch of magic to the already fantastical landscape. Locals in Kumming often say that if you have visited Kumming and haven't seen the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.
The Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan
The Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan might sound like a scene from a horror movie, but it's a real place on Earth. Also known as the Darvaza Gas Crater, this fiery pit is a surreal sight in the Karakum Desert. Perpetual flames dance within the crater, creating a truly eerie atmosphere.
The Gates of Hell came into existence in 1971 when a Soviet drilling rig accidentally tapped into a massive underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid the spread of dangerous gases, scientists decided to ignite the crater, expecting it to burn out in a few weeks. However, the flames have been flickering for over five decades, turning the crater into a perpetual fiery pit - a fiery glow against the dark desert backdrop. Visiting the Gates of Hell feels like entering a realm where the ground itself is ablaze.
Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
The Tunnel of Love in Ukraine looks like it's been plucked from the pages of a storybook. This enchanting place is a natural tunnel formed by trees lining a train track near the town of Klevan. The branches of the trees intertwine, creating a green canopy that stretches over the railway.
During the spring and summer, the Tunnel of Love transforms into a lush, green corridor, with the leaves forming a dense archway above the tracks. As trains pass through, it feels like they are passing through a secret world of nature's making. Couples often visit the Tunnel of Love, hoping that their wishes will come true. The play of sunlight filtering through the leaves adds to the dreamlike atmosphere, making it a romantic and picturesque destination. This 4-kilometer-long tunnel is gorgeous at any time of the year.
Zhangye National Geopark, China
global alliance of national parks
Zhangye National Geopark in China looks like a canvas painted by nature. This geopark, also known as the Rainbow Mountains, showcases a display of colorful rock layers that defy the usual expectations of what a mountain should look like. The hills and valleys are painted with stripes of red, yellow, green, and blue.
These stunning colors are the result of mineral deposits laid down over millions of years, creating a geological masterpiece. As sunlight hits the rocky surface, the hues come to life, turning the landscape into a living palette. Walking through the geopark feels dreamlike, where the Earth itself has become a work of art. It's no surprise that the Chinese media has labeled this area as one of the most amazing landscapes in China. Visitors shouldn't miss the Linze Danxia Scenic Area, Binggou, and the Sunan Danxia Scenic Area.
