Awe-inspiring natural wonders and man-made marvels from around the globe demand our attention. From otherworldly rock formations to ancient pyramids, these fascinating locations make us want to pack our bags and jet off to explore them!
China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park resembles something straight out of a sci-fi movie with its towering stone pillars. Meanwhile, the sky looks a million times clearer in Chile’s Atacama Desert due to its ultra-flat terrain and otherworldly landscape.
1. Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic natural landscapes in the world. It is a natural wonder that has been traveled in, explored, feared, exploited for profit, and utilized as inspiration by a wide array of people over the years.
Its strata retrace geologic history over 2 billion years, and include traces of prehistoric human adaptation to a particularly harsh environment. The Grand Canyon also contains unconformities, which are gaps in the rock layers that tell geologists about the Earth’s changing environments.
Fossils of sea creatures like trilobites, clamshells, and bryozoans help scientists learn that the Grand Canyon was once part of a shallow ocean. The canyon also holds fossilized burrows and tracks, known as trace fossils. These fossils were left by animals that walked or swam through muddy, sedimentary rocks in a warm, salty, marine environment.
2. Lake Hillier
When viewed from above, the pink lake in Australia looks like a bilious, Pepto-Bismol shade of bubble gum. The lake is on Middle Island, the largest of the Recherche islands and separated from the Southern Ocean by a strip of sand. It’s a saline lake and the color is believed to be due to its high concentration of salt. It is also home to Dunaliella salina algae and halobacteria.
While the exact cause of the lake’s color isn’t completely known, it is likely due to a reaction between salt and sodium bicarbonate deposits or the presence of Dunaliella salina, which produces carotenoid pigments (the same ones found in carrots). What sets this pink lake apart from others is that it remains a vibrant pink all year round – unlike other bodies of water that turn into different colors throughout the day.
3. Salar de Uyuni
Located in southwest Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is one of the largest salt flats in the world. This mind-blowing landscape is the legacy of a prehistoric lake that dried up, creating a desertlike area dotted with cacti and otherworldly rock formations. It’s also an important source of lithium — the element used in batteries that power our smartphones and laptops.
The Salar de Uyuni’s flatness and lack of a horizon make it perfect for playing with perspective and other types of trick photography. The best time to see this is during the rainy season, from December through April, when water floods the flats, transforming them into the world’s largest mirror.
This astronaut photograph captures the northern part of the salar, along with dark volcanic rocks forming the dormant volcano Mount Tunupa. The white mineral crust of the salar consists mostly of halite (table salt) and gypsum (common in drywall). It’s an otherworldly landscape that you don’t want to miss.
4. Socotra Island
Located far off the coast of Yemen, the four islands of Socotra offer a dazzlingly unique experience for adventurers who are willing to make the journey. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features deep canyons, stalagmite-filled caves, alien “dragon’s blood” trees, and more—making it a must-visit for those with a sense of wonder.
UNESCO reports that more than 90 percent of the archipelago’s reptile species are found nowhere else in the world, as are three quarters of its plant species—including the exotic dragon’s blood tree. This extraordinary variety of flora is just one of the things that makes Socotra feel like a land that time forgot.
The island is also home to a surprising array of animals, including the Arabian leopard and a rare type of bat. Unfortunately, the environment is at risk due to climate change and the island’s isolation.
5. Nasca Lines
The Nazca Lines are a series of geoglyphs etched into the desert landscapes of Nasca and the Pampas de Jumana in Peru. They include geometric shapes and images of animals and plants that can be up to a kilometer long. These figures have been interpreted in different ways, but their significance is still unclear.
The first person to study the lines systematically was the Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe. He was followed by the American Paul Kosok and the German Maria Reiche, who both concluded that the lines had astronomical and calendrical purposes.
Today, visitors can explore the Nasca Lines by taking a flight, which offers spectacular views over the desert terrain. The famous figures of hummingbirds, condors, lizard spiders, and monkeys can be seen from the air. A recent survey using drones and academics from Yamagata University, led by Japanese researcher Masato Sakai, has revealed more than 140 new lines, including a cat that is 168 feet wide.
6. Devil’s Triangle
Since the 1950s, many ships and planes have disappeared within the Bermuda Triangle under mysterious circumstances. Some people believe that the disappearances have to do with paranormal activity or activity by extraterrestrial beings.
Other theories suggest that the Bermuda Triangle is a portal to another universe. Still, there is no scientific evidence that these strange occurrences are caused by anything other than normal sea conditions.
In the area, compasses often go haywire due to natural magnetic variations. Navigators have known this for centuries. Only in a few places on the planet does magnetic compass north not match geographic (true) north, but the Bermuda Triangle is not one of them. It is a dangerous place for ships, submarines and airplanes to be. Hence, the name. This region is also close to many vital shipping routes. Therefore, there is a higher concentration of maritime accidents and losses here.
7. Yttygran Island
Yttygran Island is a remote Siberian island that is famous for a very peculiar reason. It is home to a mysterious arrangement of bowhead whale bones, stones and pits that stretch for around 550 meters along the island’s coastline. This eerie arrangement is known as ‘Whale Bone Alley’ and it has inspired many wild theories.
It was discovered in 1976 by Soviet archaeologists who were exploring the Chukotka coast. They were sailing past the island when suddenly the fog cleared, revealing the macabre site.
The scientists believe that the skeletons were laid out in this way as part of some kind of ritual. They also think that the pits were used to store meat. The Yttygran Island is known for its rich wildlife, including polar bears, Pacific walruses and Arctic foxes. It is also home to the infamous Chertov Ovrag (Devil’s Gorge) where the 180th meridian passes through.
8. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous archeological sites in the world. It is located on the top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical forest and features various structures including temples, palaces, tombs, plazas, water fountains and more. Each area is intertwined with its natural environment, making it unique and a true masterpiece of architecture.
It is believed that the ruins were never discovered by the Spanish due to its hidden location and high altitude, although it is possible that some locals knew of its existence. It is also remarkable that the Inca were able to build the complex without the use of iron tools and that many of its stones weighed more than 50 tons. This fact alone makes Machu Picchu one of the most impressive ancient wonders. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Peru.
9. The Louvre
A trip to Paris isn’t complete without exploring the Louvre, the world’s most famous museum and largest fine art collection. Millions of people visit the museum each year, and it’s not unusual to encounter long lines and crowds for its most popular works, including the Mona Lisa.
Visiting museums is a great way to learn about a culture and understand its history. However, many visitors don’t know that museums are tightly connected to politics and expressions of power.
When most people think of the Louvre, they picture its famous Renaissance facade and glass pyramid that marks the entrance. They may not know that the famous structure was designed by architect I.M. Pei, who also influenced the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Louvre has a sister museum in Lens, France.
10. Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are home to some of the world’s most important artworks and historical artifacts. From Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling to Raphael’s School of Athens there are countless masterpieces to see.
The four Raphael Rooms are a great place to start your visit. They are located right above the Borgia Apartments and feature some of the best of High Renaissance. Look out for The Cabinet of Apoxyomenos, a Roman copy of a Greek bronze masterpiece by Lysippos in around 320 BC.
Created in 1973, the Papal Carriage Museum (Museo Storico Vaticano) is an impressive collection of carriages and cars used by Popes. The collection includes carriages, motorcars, palanquins and more. It also has a gold sphere called Sfera con Sfera which is thought to have been used by ancient astronauts. It’s a must-see for history lovers!
