Welcome to a world beyond your imagination! From glowing blue waters to towering crystal caves, our planet is home to some of the most incredible natural wonders you could ever imagine. If you're ready to explore some of the most fascinating places on Earth, then join us as we take a journey to ten destinations that are truly out of this world.
1 Mount Roraima, Venezuela
Mount Roraima (tepuy) is located in Venezuela but can also be viewed from Brazil and Guyana, as it is close to the borders of those two countries. With an elevation of 2,810 meters above sea level and an area of 31 square kilometers, it offers a breathtaking view that you might remember from the movie UP, where the house ended up at the top of Mount Roraima.
The best time to visit Mount Roraima is from December to April during the dry season. However, don't be fooled, as the weather can change really quickly and rain, mist, and fog are constant, even during the dry season. If you are planning to hike to the top, make sure to bring appropriate gear and be prepared for a challenging but rewarding adventure. The trail is about 15 kilometers and can take up to 6 days to complete, depending on your pace.
Image: Store Norske Leksikon
2 Solar du Uyuni, Bolivia
Located in the Andes, in the Potosi Department, Daniel Campos province, in the Southwest of Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni formed 40-25 thousand years ago due to the evaporation of many lakes that existed at that time in the area. With an altitude of over 3,600 meters above sea level, it is also known as the Salar de Tunupa. It is the biggest salt flat in the world, covering 10,582 square kilometers and containing 10 billion tons of salt, formed with 11 layers of salt, together being 2-10 meters in width. Approximately 25 thousand tons of salt are extracted every year.
To get to Salar de Uyuni, you can take a flight from La Paz, which takes about 45 minutes, or a bus, which can take up to 12 hours. Once you arrive, you can visit the Salt Palace in Colchani, which is made of salt, and explore the town to get souvenirs. Additionally, you can take a tour to see the stunning scenery and unique features of the area, such as the Train Cemetery, rock formations, and the reflection of the sky on the salt flats during the rainy season. Salar de Uyuni is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking natural beauty and adventure.
3 Maldives Beaches
Looking for a unique experience? How about stargazing on the Maldives beaches while also seeing the stars on the ground? The beaches at night are a stunning sight, glowing in a mesmerizing blue color that leaves both locals and visitors in awe.
The glowing effect is caused by bioluminescent phytoplankton, specifically Lingulodinium polyedrum. These tiny organisms react to changes in water tension and acidity, emitting light with every wave break and paddle. Red tides, or blooms of phytoplankton, create dull orange-red water during the day. While some of these organisms are toxic, at night, they give off a beautiful, harmless light.
Surfing or swimming in the bioluminescent water creates a magical trail of shining water, and boats traveling through the red tides leave impressive light trails. It's a unique and unforgettable experience that you don't want to miss.
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4 Red Beach, China
Located in the County of Dawa, about 29 kilometers southwest of Panjin, in the northeast of Liaoning Province, China lies a breathtakingly beautiful wetland - the Red Beach.
Despite its name, the "red" in Red Beach actually refers to the striking seasonal hues of its coastline, which is covered with the plant seepweed (suaeda salsa). In the autumn, the plant turns a bright shade of red, providing a stunning backdrop for visitors.
The Red Beach is part of one of the world’s largest reed marsh areas, the Liaohe River Delta, and is home to over 400 species of wildlife. Visitors can explore the wetland on foot or by boat and experience the beauty of nature up close. It's truly a must-see destination for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience in China.
5 Zhangya Danxia Landform 1, China
Also known as the "Magical Rainbow Mountains," the Danxia landforms are a stunning natural wonder located 20 km south of Linze in the province of Gansu, China.
The colorful mountains appear as if the sky itself has painted a rainbow over the landscape, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The formation of these unique landforms is due to the layering of red sandstone and mudstone over millions of years, with varying sedimentary rocks containing different amounts of a ferrous salt. This is why the layers appear in different colors, creating a spectacular visual display.
Visitors to the area can explore the colorful mountains on foot or by car and witness the beauty of nature up close. The Rainbow Mountains are truly a sight to behold and a must-see destination for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience in China.
6 The Tulips Fields, The Netherlands
The Netherlands is renowned for its love of tulips, and you can find many of them throughout the country. In fact, the country had such a passion for these beautiful flowers for centuries that it led to a crisis between 1636 and 1637.
If you want to experience the stunning tulip fields, the best time to plan your trip is during the spring season. Tulips bloom within a specific timeframe, just like other flowers, so it's essential to plan your visit carefully. Specifically, the ideal time to visit is from the last week of March until the end of April when the flowers are in full bloom, and until May when the magic starts to fade away.
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However, it's crucial to take care of the fields during your visit since a large number of people can damage delicate flowers. As a responsible tourist, you should be mindful of the places you visit and take care of them for future visitors to enjoy. Some of the most famous places to see tulips in the Netherlands are Lisse, Keukenhof Gardens, Duin in Bollenstreek, and the Tulpenroute in Flevoland.
While in Amsterdam, don't miss the chance to experience a one-day wedding with an Amsterdammer and explore the city like a local. Read: Experience a One-Day Wedding in Amsterdam!
7 Naica Mine, Mexico
The Naica mines, which were discovered by two miners looking for lead, are home to crystal caves that could be mistaken for Superman's Arctic lair. These mines are located in the center of the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where lead, copper, zinc, and gold are extracted.
Two caves have been discovered in Naica, with the first one being known as the Cave of Swords, which was discovered in 1910. The cave is about 120 meters deep and is covered with white selenite crystals on its ceiling, walls, and floor. These crystals have grown to be enormous over thousands of years.
In April 2000, the second cave was discovered as a big surprise. The cave also has large crystals, and not long ago, another one appeared with 29 selenite mega crystals. The mega crystals were formed in a bubble-like cavity near magma and with no contact with the outside. The high temperature causes the crystallization of liquids and gases with sulfur salts.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Naica Mine - Cave of Crystal Giants, home to some of the largest crystals in the world. Learn more about this natural wonder and plan your visit today on My Best Place's website.
The most recent surprise is that inside these crystals, germs that survived with minerals, iron, and manganese were found. These germs are as much as 50,000 years old.
Unfortunately, these mines are barely accessible. They are over 2,600 feet deep, and the temperatures inside are so high that geologists have to wear special thermal suits with ice bags all over their bodies. Even with these precautions, they can only work for 20-minute periods before having to cool off in a vault.
8 Tianzi Mountain, China
Located in the Hunan Province of China, the unique formations in the Wulinyuan Scenic Area represent some of the most stunning sights on Earth. Spread across a surface of 54 square kilometers inside the Zhangjiajie Natural Forest Park, these formations may look familiar to fans of the movie Avatar, as they served as an inspiration for the landscape of Pandora.
The peaks of sedimentary rock are estimated to be as much as 300 million years old and have been slowly shaped by the forces of water and wind over the course of millions of years. Some of the peaks are as tall as 1,250 meters and resemble a natural city with many skyscrapers.
Visitors to the Wulinyuan Scenic Area can enjoy breathtaking views of the unique formations from various viewpoints, including the famous Glass Bridge. It's truly a must-see destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable travel experience in China.
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9 Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
This tunnel is part of an industrial railway located near Klevan in Ukraine. It attracts many romantics and honeymooners due to its unique sights.
The tunnel is 1 kilometer long and connects Klevan with the Orzhevesk Woodworking Plant via a 3-kilometer railway.
The best time to visit is between the middle of May and the end of August when the tunnel is lush green. From the beginning of September to the middle of October, the leaves start to turn yellow and red, creating a colorful autumn view.
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10 Wisteria Flower Tunnel, Japan
The Wisteria Flower Tunnel is located in Ashikaga Flower Park, which is 2 hours away from Tokyo. It is the biggest and best place in Japan to enjoy the magical wisteria bloom.
The park is home to 150 flowering wisteria plants of about 20 different species, including white, violet-blue, blue, purple, and pink. This diversity makes the tunnel a colorful experience with a variety of colors.
The garden is open from 8 am to 6 pm during the wisteria season (mid-April to mid-May) and from 9 am to 5 pm during the autumn color season (mid-November to early December). Depending on the state of the wisteria season, the ticket can cost 500 yen, 1000 yen, or 1500 yen.
We hope you've enjoyed this journey to some of the most extraordinary places on Earth. Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or simply a chance to marvel at the wonders of nature, these ten destinations are sure to leave you in awe. So why not start planning your next trip to one of these incredible locations today? Who knows what otherworldly sights you might discover along the way!
4 comments
Hey, thank you for sharing this. It's a great thing to know that there are places like these exist. I'm looking forward to share these to my hubbie. :)
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your comment and your visit to my website also.
DeleteVery inspiring article especially for the sake of adding to my bucket list. I'm visiting Japan in Jan 2020 but sadly I don't think will Wisteria Flower Tunnel will be active during this time.
ReplyDeleteI am not able to travel much but this is very interesting. I love your pictures and it nice to learn about these places whether you can travel or not. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on our blog! We appreciate your feedback and engagement. Please note that all comments are moderated, and any comment that includes bad language, personal attacks, or incites violence will be deleted. We also reserve the right to remove any comment that is off-topic, spammy, or promotional. We encourage constructive and respectful discussions among our community members, so let's keep it friendly and meaningful. Thank you for being part of our iTravy community!