Most of us have probably heard of or even visited popular travel destinations such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Westminster Abbey in London, or the Vatican in Rome. There are still some places that most people haven’t heard off that are strange, unusual and off the general public radar. In fact, these strange and unusual places are found by being adventurous enough or hearing about them from the locals in that particular area. These strange and mysterious but beautiful places are not all science fiction and most of the phenomena that can be witnessed in these stunning places can be explained through history or science. That’s why to save you some trouble, we are going to list down some strange and unusual places on Earth.
Spotted Lake in British Columbia, Canada
Spotted Lake has long been admired by the native Okanagan or Syilx people and they also think of the lake as a sacred place. During summer, the water in the lake evaporates and it leaves small mineral pools behind that has different colors. You can view this lake on Highway 3, northwest of the small town of Osoyoos but tourists and visitors are not allowed to trespass on tribal land.
Reed Flute Cave in China
The Reed Flute Cave is not a regular place for an average tourist visit but, it is now slowly become a popular place especially among locals. One stunning thing about this cave is its multicolored paintings which makes this place a 240-meter-long unique and beautiful scenery. The Reed Flute Cave has been in existence for more than 1,200 years and it is one of the best sceneries you can see if you’re planning to visit China.
Panjin Red Beach in China
When we hear the word beach, the first thing that comes to our mind is water and sand. But, for the Panjin Red Beach in China, it’s a totally different case. This beach is covered with red seaweed called “Sueda.” Another surprising thing about this beach is that you will rarely see any grain of sand thanks to the red seaweed that’s covering it. The “Sueda” grows from April and it stays green all throughout summer until it turns red in the beginning of Autumn. The Panjin Red Beach is home to over 260 different species of birds and more than 399 species of animals.
The Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan
The Gates of Hell is a Darvaza deep gas crater that is located in Turkmenistan. This has been one of those strange and off the radar location until it became popular in social media. The Gates of Hell has been in existence for over forty years, thanks to some geologists who were drilling for oil but discovered natural gas instead. The scientists set the place on fire in order to stop it from being a potential bomb. But the fire never burned out and it continuously burned to the form we see today.
Vatnajokull Glacier Caves in Iceland
You have to be ready to travel all the way down to Iceland if you want to see the astounding scenery that the Vatnajokull Glacier Cave offer. One amazing thing about this cave is that it literally grow to a particular size and disappear after a while which makes it look like its magic.
A lot of things go on every season inside the Vatnajokul glacier caves. The ice forms in different shapes every year and it changes from being like a super large teeth bulging from the ice to being like large waves that is held up in a suspended maze of linked chambers which makes the cave generate a phantasmagoria of different colors depending on the light shade.
Pamukkale in Turkey
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in southwest Turkey. You can also take a tour in the ancient ruins if Hierapolis on the way here to Pumakkale. This stunning location has water cascading from natural springs down to the white travertine terraces that forms stunning thermal pools which are perfect for a quick dip.
Lake Hillier in Western Australia
Lake Hillier is located in one of the largest island in Western Australia’s Recherche Archipelago and. Lake Hillier was discovered in 1802 and it has a deep dark pink color all year-round, which some scientist and researchers say is because of the high salinity levels that is combined with the presence of a salt-loving algae called Dunaliella and pink bacteria known as halobacteria.
Badab-e-Surt in Iran
This beautiful form of terraces is located in northern Iran and it is one example of strange but incredible natural phenomenon that took thousands of years to develop. The travertine is one type of limestone that is formed from calcium deposit in flowing water and here in Badab-e-Surt, there are two hot springs with different mineral properties. The red color in the terraces is because of the high content of iron oxide that can be found in one of the springs.
Oasis surrounded by dunes in Peru
If you ever happen to travel to Peru, make sure that you will visit a small town in Peru that is surrounded by enormous dunes and a small lake called Huacachina. This small town is considered as an oasis with only 94 residents. Huacachina is a good place to explore with its rural shops and an amazing view of the sunset. You can also do some sandboarding if you’re into a little extreme adventure.
Tianzi Mountains in China
Located in the nortwest of Hunan Province in China, these amazing and staggering limestone pinnacles that are covered with lush greenery and often covered in mist is a place that you must visit if you ever happen to be in China. You can witness this stunning work of art by mother nature by riding a cable car that goes as far as Huangshi village and from there you can follow several trails to take in the amazing view of Tianzi or also known as son of heaven. The Tianzi Mountains are the inspiration for the floating mountains in the iconic movie Avatar.
The Nasca Lines in Peru
These amazing animal and geometric shapes were etched by the ancient Nasca tribe into Peru’s barren Pampa de San Jose and how they did it remains to be one of the world’s greatest mysteries. You can only see them from the air from a metal viewing tower that is located beside the highway. Some of these unexplained sketches are up to 200 cm in length and each of them are made with a single continuous line.
Socotra Island in Yemen
Separated from mainland Africa for over six million years ago, this remote island in Yemen looks like you’re in a set of a sci-fi film. The unique and incredible biodiversity here in Socotora island gives birth to plants and trees that cannot be found anywhere else in the world such as the bulbous bottle tree and the ancient and twisted dragon’s blood tree.
Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines
These magnificent conical hill that is located in the middle of the island has different height but have a regular shape that sometime it is mistaken for being man-made. But according to the guys at UNESCO, the shape and height of Chocolate hills are because they are the uplift of coral deposits and they are also the result of rainwater erosion. They are called Chocolate hills because, during the dry season, their color turns from lush green to brown.
Goblin Valley State Park in Utah, USA
This is an uninhabited valley that is located 216 miles southeast of Salt Lake City in Utah. The soft sandstones has been eroded by wind and water for many years which formed the strange pinnacles and hoodoos that looks like goblins. This uncanny landscape is only about two miles long and a mile across. If you happen to be travelling in the area, make sure you explore the marked trails to see up close and personal these weird and bizarre rock formations.
Zhangye Danxia Landform in China
This would be a great place to feed your eyes with some wonderful and colorful scenery if ever you’re in China. The Danxia geological structure took more than six million years to become what it is now and its shape is because of the erosion of red sandstone throughout the years. One look at this amazing landform will make you want to tell the whole world about it.
The Ruins if San Ignacio Mini in Argentina
The reason why this unusual and beautiful place is on this list is that because it hasn’t gained any popularity, yet. You can find this breathtaking ruins in the Argentine rainforest. This ruins were built as a part of the Jesuit mission in the early 17th century. The construction of this amazing location began 1666 where it was constructed in Spanish Baroque style. It was furnished with large stone church and it has a wooden interior complete with dormitories, a school, and a hospital. Today, most of the structures have been destroyed and the only things that is left for tourists to see are the complex but precise details of the ruins. Tourists and visitors can also see the Spanish style baroque and Guarani styles that stood the test of time from the walls to the arches of the ruined church.
The Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
If you’re having a hard time deciding on where your next European trip should be, then we suggest that you explore Croatia. You will able to see the great Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. And spending a day there would surely be worth your time. One of the great features about this place is the crystal clear waters that flows across different lakes and you will be able to see several waterfalls that is made up of different limestone lakes. While you’re there, make sure you check out the Velki Slap because it offers a view that you shouldn’t miss.
The Catacombs in Paris, France
This deeply eerie catacombs are a network of old quarry tunnels that is located beneath Paris and it also serves as a final resting place for over six million Parisians. Most skulls and bones are from anonymous people that were taken from the city’s overcrowded graveyards during the 18th and 19th centuries. The authorities realized that it could potentially be a tourist attraction that’s why they decided to arrange the bones in the macabre displays that can be seen today.
These are some of the world’s unusual and strange places that most of us didn’t know exist. We hope we helped you plan your next travel destination. Pack your bags because these places are waiting to be explored.