These locations will take your breath away
The world is full of sights that are so breathtakingly beautiful that they seem otherworldly. From natural wonders to man-made marvels, these fascinating places around the globe demand your attention. Learn the amazing stories of some of the most mesmerizing places on earth.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (China)
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China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park resembles something straight from your favorite sci-fi movie. Towering stone pillars are the extraordinary signature feature of the park. Visitors can see the pillars from above by taking the world’s tallest outdoor elevator or crossing the world’s highest and longest glass-bottom bridge.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves (New Zealand)
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A population of glowworms called Arachnocampa Luminosa illuminates the Waitomo Caves on the North Island of New Zealand. These glowworms, which are unique to New Zealand, are bioluminescent. Thousands of them live along with the cave’s ceiling, creating the illusion of an overhead sky full of stars.
Palace of Versailles (Versailles, France)
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One of the most opulent palaces in the world is the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris. The residence of French royalty for more than 100 years until the French Revolution in 1789, the sprawling palace has 2,300 rooms and attracts millions of visitors a year. Its cost is debated by historians, but low-end estimates put its price tag at about $2 billion. The stunning chateau includes royal apartments, a museum, manicured gardens, an opera, a chapel, and the famous hall of mirrors.
Son Doong Cave (Vietnam)
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Han Son Doong in Vietnam’s Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is the world’s largest cave. It wasn’t discovered until 1990 and wasn’t open to the public until 2013. More people have stood at the summit of Mount Everest than experienced this natural wonder. It is so large it has its own weather system (including clouds) inside, and a 747 airplane could easily fly through it.
Sea of Stars (Vaadhoo Island, Maldives)
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The waters around Vaadhoo Island, part of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, are home to a magical natural show nicknamed the “Sea of Stars.” The phenomenon occurs when billions of disturbed microorganisms called dinoflagellates emit a bluish glow, much like aquatic fireflies.
The Door to Hell (Turkmenistan)
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Known as “The Door to Hell,” the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan is actually man-made. While engineers were drilling for oil at the site, a natural gas pocket collapsed, creating a sinkhole. To stop the spread of methane gas, Soviet scientists opted to set it on fire, perhaps unaware of how much fuel it contained. The crater has been burning since 1971, close to 50 years. Explorer George Kourounis, the first person to go inside the terrifyingly surreal crater, described it as a “coliseum of fire.” At night, the crater can be seen from miles away.
Grand Prismatic Spring (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming)
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Located in one of the most popular national parks in America, Grand Prismatic Spring is the third-largest hot spring in the world. Besides its size, it reflects the entire rainbow spectrum just like a prism. Its blue center spreads into a red ring around the edge. The color shift is due to heat-loving microbes in the water.
Avenue of the Baobabs (Madagascar)
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A portion of a dirt road in Madagascar is one of the island nation’s most famous landmarks. Known as the Avenue of the Baobabs, the stretch of road is lined with giant, ancient baobab trees that are more than 800 years old.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Shiraz, Iran)
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Nasir al-Mulk in Shiraz, Iran, also known as the Pink Mosque, is considered one of the most beautiful places of worship in the world because of its kaleidoscopic rainbow stained-glass windows, intricate geometric tiles, and more.
Grand Canyon (Arizona)
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The Grand Canyon is considered one of the seven wonders of the natural world and is one of the largest canyons in the world, offering unrivaled views. Intrepid explorers can also traverse the canyon itself by hiking, whitewater rafting, or tackling the perilous Bright Angel Trail by mule.
Gardens by the Bay (Singapore)
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Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay has three areas and includes the largest glass greenhouse in the world and an almost 100-foot-tall indoor man-made waterfall. The Supertree Grove is made of solar-powered mechanical giants, with the largest standing more than 16 stories tall. The gardens have skywalks between some of the trees, giving visitors a dizzying view of the greenery below. The grove also hosts a light show at night.
