The earth is full of wonders, and one life is not enough to witness all the hidden gems of nature. Let’s give it a try by finding out the most unusual places on Earth.
Mother Earth has a lot to offer us, and there are many beautiful places in the world that feel quite unworldly for their surreal natural beauty. Starting from mirror beaches, pink lakes, and white sand deserts, this world has many surprises to offer you, and each of these hidden gems is scattered all over the world. Let’s find out some of the most bizarre yet captivating unworldly destinations around the globe that can surprise or take you into a different dimension.
- White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
Imagine if the moon had sand dunes! Perhaps it would be white in color, just like the White Sands National Park in the USA. Situated in southern New Mexico, this place is a result of the largest gypsum dunefield in the world, where the gypsum powder created this vast landscape. The view is absolutely magnificent, along with the lakes like Lake Lucero that are situated inside the park. You can also witness an ample amount of wildlife through insects and critters. While you might have seen yellow and golden sand dunes, the white sands can make it appear a lot like the snow without melting.
- Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
You would be surprised to know that most sci-fi films and fantasy movies are shot in different parts of the world that feel like they do not belong to Earth. A similar place would be the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada, which feels like a different planet from the galaxy and lore of Star Wars. The park receives its name as archeologists and fossil hunters have found a massive amount of fossils of the Jurassic era in this place. In the initial era, numerous dinosaur species used to live here, according to the fossils found. The landscape looks absolutely surreal with its dynamic textures and colors.
- Lake Hillier, Western Australia, Australia
Lake Hillier is one of the most popular lakes in Australia, as well as all over the world. This is extra special due to its bold pink color, which is very rare to witness. The lake consists of a huge amount of fuchsia water on Middle Island, off mainland Western Australia. This unique color is received from a type of microalgae or a specific type of bacteria that helps to gain this color. The lake looks quite unusual with the eucalyptus trees standing tall on the banks. The pink color makes it look quite surreal and horrifying when it gets too deep or reddish.
- Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines
Just like its name suggests, the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines offer the most unique landscapes in the world. The Bohol region in the country comprises 1,000 neat, conical mounds spread out across the whole area. The hills get wrapped in lush green foliage during the summer, and the landscape ends up looking like a box of chocolates, which is why it received its unique name. There are a lot of rumors regarding the creation of this landscape. Locals believe that it is the result of a pair of feuding giants. Experts are still unable to figure out the reason behind such a unique and unusual formation.
- Spotted Lake, British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and Spotted Lake is one of its hidden wonders. You can witness giant, colourful polka dots covering the surface of this lake in Osoyoos. This unique natural formation has no human interference, but it can appear like a child’s painting. The mysterious formation with colors happens due to the minerals such as calcium and sodium sulphate that create colorful concentrations. It evaporates during BC’s balmy months, and the dots keep changing throughout different seasons with the grassland growing around them. It is one of the most spectacular natural sights that can put you in awe.
- Fly Geyser, Gerlach, Nevada, USA
Natural geysers are already a wonder of nature, and the Fly Geyser in America is one of the most unique among all. It almost appears like a psychedelic geyser was plucked from an alien planet situated in Washoe County. This is not a natural formation, as it was actually the result of human activity. A geothermal energy company drilled here in the 1960s, and though the water they hit upon wasn’t hot enough for their purposes, they failed to seal the site back up again. Since then, this geyser has been spurting hot water in all directions from a rainbow mount. It is truly a beautiful sight unless you get too close to it.
- Avenue of Baobabs, Madagascar
Baobab trees are one of the greatest wonders of this world, and the tree feels completely alien due to its peculiar structure. With their fat, smooth trunks and striking splay of branches, baobab trees look like they belong somewhere in outer space. You can find an entire avenue of this tree in Madagascar, and the western region has become quite popular for this reason. Around 50 of them line a dirt road in the country’s Menabe region, and these trees have been present there for a long time.
- Valle de la Luna, Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert in Chile is definitely one of the most unique deserts in the world, with its arid stretch. It is also called Valle de la Luna, which means “Valley of the Moon,” and it received that name for offering a cracked lunar landscape with similarities to the moon. This region is comprised of jagged rocks and sand dunes, along with white salt flats, which make it look very unworldly. You can get a surreal view at night as well, with a clear sky that offers the best opportunity for stargazing.
- Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Have you seen really big trees in your life? Well, you are about to see even bigger trees when you are at Sequoia National Park in the USA. The sheer magnitude of the trees will make you feel like you’ve left Earth and entered the realm of the giants. These are the world’s largest trees, with the greatest of them all, General Sherman, rising to an eye-watering height of 275 feet (83m). Plenty of hiking trails wiggle through the forest, and guided horseback rides are available in the summer, too. This is one of the most unique national parks in the USA that provides a hefty amount of oxygen for the entire world. The park will make you feel like you belong to a different realm.
- Papakōlea Beach, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
Hawaii has many surprising elements to offer, and Papakōlea Beach is one of them. This beach is situated in the south of the Big Island, and it comes with earthy green foliage. Due to its unique color, the beach has also received the nickname of ‘green sand beach’. Only four beaches of its kind exist on this planet, and the grassy hue comes from the mineral olivine, which has been deposited over millennia from the volcanic tuff that hugs the crescent. It’s a secluded spot, only accessible via a steep, downward hike. This is an absolute paradise for lovers and couples who are trying to enjoy a secluded time in nature.
- Malham Cove, Yorkshire, England, UK
The United Kingdom comprises many hidden gems, and Malham Cove is one of the best of them. This unique landscape has a grim and rugged beauty which makes it look like a cinematic landscape for witchcraft and magic, or even a part of the Harry Potter movies. It comprises a curving 230-foot (70m) cliff, whose craggy face was formed by sheets of ice over millions of years. The top of the formation is more otherworldly still, with deeply carved and cracked carpets of limestone rippling outwards, dotted eerily with the occasional tree. This place looks absolutely magical in its own aura and looks stunning even with very little green in it.
- Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo National Park, New South Wales, Australia
There are many magnificent waterfalls all over Australia, but nothing can beat the uniqueness of Crystal Shower Falls, which is situated in the cascade in Dorrigo National Park. The water appears to be falling directly from the sky, and its unique angle offers a unworldly look. A craggy cave winds right behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to pass beside the flow and see nothing but a glittering curtain of water falling from the sky. It’s equally beautiful when seen rushing over rock from amidst the thick rainforest, too. It is highly recommended to visit here and get drenched in the crystal shower for a lifetime experience.
- Vatnajökull, Iceland
Iceland is one of the most unique countries in the world, which is also known as the “Land of Ice and Fire”. The country has the largest glacier in all of Europe, and it is a surprising sight when you witness its sheer scale. At its thickest point, the icy wonder is more than 2,953 feet (900m), and it has at least 30 outlet glaciers to boot. Adding to the drama is Jökulsárlón, a jaw-dropping glacial lagoon fringing the southeastern edge of the ice cap. The temperature drops below the freezing point, and you are recommended to stay fit and packed with gear if you are willing to witness this beautiful icy landscape.
- Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, Gansu, China
China never fails to amaze global travelers, as this country has countless unworldly destinations that a major part of the world is not aware of. The Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is situated in the northern parts of China, and it appears like a birthday cake with rainbow colored cream. With the layers of blue, red, and acid yellow, this mountain range offers eye-popping hues and colors that you might not see in a landscape. This is the result of millions of years of layered sandstone and mineral deposits, while wind and water erosion carved deep ridges and troughs into the psychedelic rock. This place almost feels like a surreal painting done by an artist on shrooms.
- Bastei, Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
If you are willing to witness a historic landscape that also feels like a part of a fantasy novel, you should definitely visit Germany’s Saxon Switzerland National Park. The hulking rock formations are very much fairy tale-esque, and their sheer scale feels quite unworldly. The Bastei is formed with grey sandstone, which offers a feeling of a ruined castle from the past. The most dramatic spot of the region would be the Bastei Bridge, a stone structure that slices through the sandstone forest, and is usually dotted with view seekers and photographers. Visiting here is truly a life-altering experience.
- Carcross Desert, Yukon, Canada
Canada is not the usual country that you can associate with deserts, but the Carcross Desert can make an exception for that. This desert has gained global popularity due to its blue lakes and lush forests. It is one of the smallest and most beautiful deserts in the world. This region is a result of a glacial lake, as the desert was formed when the glaciers retreated and left the sand bed behind. The little desert is a strange, otherworldly sight with snow-capped peaks rising from the edge of the sand and trees springing up all around. This is a hidden gem of Canada that most people do not know about.
- Firefall, Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California, USA
You have already seen many waterfalls, but have you seen a firefall? No, it is not lava or magma falling from a sheer volcanic mountain, but rather a seasonal cascade rushing over the eastern side of El Capitan. A special phenomenon takes place in the Horsetail Fall during late February. When the conditions are just so, and the falls are backlit by the setting sun, it appears as though a thick stream of lava is spilling over the side of the mountain. Unsurprisingly, the ethereal spectacle usually draws in the crowds. It is one of the most magnificent and rare sights to witness in the world, which feels magical and unreal through its appearance.
- Deadvlei, Namib Desert, Namibia
A lot of people have seen this beautiful and surreal place through the movies, and currently, it is one of the most popular places in the world. If it wasn’t for the petrified camel-thorn trees and the burning orange dunes, this stark landscape could double for the surface of the moon. Deadvlei is folded into Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park, and the white clay pan, likely formed more than 1,000 years ago, is fringed by some of the tallest sand mountains in the world. It’s known for its glittering night skies, too. It is a vibrant place with artistic features that make it appear man-made, but it is a gift of Mother Nature.
- Wistman’s Wood, Devon, England, UK
If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, you definitely need to visit this dense forest in the United Kingdom. Gnarled, knotted branches dripping in lichen make this one of the most haunting forests in the UK. Its mossy expanse takes up a pocket of Dartmoor National Park, and it’s tipped as one of the highest and oldest oak woodlands in the country. Pathways ripple through the trees, whose knobbly arms look ready to reach out and grab you. There is something very eerie and surreal about this forest that makes it appear more alive, like a spirit realm where you do not know who you are surrounded by.
- Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
This is one of the largest salt deserts in the world, which is situated in Bolivia. This desert seems to defy the elements and walk on water in the rainy season. In actual fact, only a shallow layer of water covers the plain, but its mirrored surface seems to blur all lines between the land and sky. The wonder is just as otherworldly in the dry period, when the cracked, white Earth looks almost lunar. It feels like you are roaming in an open world where the sky is above and beneath as well. You can capture some of the most spectacular pictures here that you can cherish for the rest of your life.
- Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK
This rocky pinnacle has played a starring role in plenty of fantasy movies, and it’s not hard to see why. The dramatic formation has appeared in Snow White and the Huntsman, The BFG, and the hit horror film The Wicker Man, and many others. The region soars to 160 feet (49m), towering above the craggy countryside below. Legend has it that it’s the burial place of a giant. To be honest, it sounds agreeable with the legends as this place can be home to the Trolls of the mountain.
- Dallol volcano and the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Ethiopia is full of wonders, and this country can captivate you with its natural landscapes. Dallol volcano sits in the far northern reaches of the country and offers the perfect answer to Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring. This geothermal region is a green and yellow land of sulphur ponds, geysers, and salt plains, with the volcano itself only springing up in 1926. This pocket of Ethiopia is notably one of the lowest places on the planet, too. Whether it is the color, the textures, or the rugged formations, you will be awestruck at every point of your journey.
- Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii, USA
This is about as close to the stars as you’re likely to get. Haleakalā, the name of the dormant volcano within the park’s limits, means “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, and the location is famed for its epic views of the sunrise. Nosing right up to the clouds, the Summit Area is the most otherworldly swathe of all: it’s all rich cinder desert scattered with native shrubs, plus brighter than bright stars winking by night. You definitely need to visit this national park at least once in your lifetime.
- Dark Hedges, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, UK
Let’s embark on an Irish adventure with Dark Hedges, a haunting boulevard that you have never seen before. This haunting avenue of trees is best known for its appearance in the fantasy series Game of Thrones. It doubled as the Kingsroad in the cult TV show, though it was originally planted in the 1700s by the Stuart family, who wanted an imposing entryway to their mansion, Gracehill House. Today, the bowing beech trees are purportedly haunted by a spectre named the Grey Lady. This place is artistic, eerie, and absolutely soul-starring for all kinds of explorers.
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo, New Zealand
You must have heard of glowworms that glow in the dark, and now, it is time to witness them in real life. The Waitomo caves are beautiful in their own right, with their airy chambers and winding underground river. But it’s the caves’ glittering residents that make them so otherworldly. Arachnocampa luminosa glow worms are a bioluminescent species native to New Zealand. It can be found here in their thousands, illuminating the caverns and putting on a twinkling show for the tourists who typically take guided boat rides here.
