Top 10 Places You Have to See to Believe

Hunan, China
Hunan is famous for its fiery cuisine, the ancient city of Fenghuang, and an abundance of natural beauty. If you desire a hefty dose of stunning Chinese nature, visit Zhangjiajie, in Northern Hunan. It’s home to countless stone pillars towering above a vast forest that sprawls for 1,400 square miles. One 3,540-foot stone pillar was renamed the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,” since the region was a major inspiration for James Cameron’s “Avatar.” It’s also home to the Bailong Elevator, or the “hundred dragons sky lift” in English, the world’s tallest outdoor lift. They also placed the world’s largest pedestrian glass bridge here, making it even more worthwhile to visit.

Ngorongoro, Tanzania
East Africa is one of the most vibrant areas on Earth, and one of the oldest inhabited regions on the planet. In Northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, Lake Natron can be found. It’s famous for being one of the planet's deadliest lakes. This is because it’s incredibly alkaline, due to a high concentration of natron, or sodium carbonate decahydrate. It’s got a one-of-a-kind ecosystem and is home to 75% of the world’s lesser flamingos. Also, have we mentioned it’s a beautiful shade of red? This is made even more ominous by the huge quantity of petrified animals preserved at the lake's edges, a natural form of mummification.

Darvaza, Turkmenistan
The Caspian Sea provides the only coastline in Turkmenistan, which, despite its name, is an entirely inland water body. If you travel to central Turkmenistan, you won’t be too far from the Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell. It’s a naturally burning gas field, supposedly caused by a collapsed gas drilling rig. This happened in 1971, and the Soviets at the time decided to set it on fire to prevent toxic gas from spreading. They expected it to quickly burn itself out, but it’s still burning strong more than three decades after the Soviet Union’s collapse. Due to safety concerns, Turkmenistan is seeking to extinguish the crater, so make this a priority on your bucket list.

Gansu, China
As one of the world’s largest countries, China is full of magnificent nature. One of their most unique sights is the mountains of Zhangye National Geopark, in Gansu, neighboring Inner Mongolia. They’re famous for their iconic rainbow pattern, which can easily be mistaken for paint. The mountains are so brilliant, they were voted one of China’s most beautiful landforms. Their colors have been attributed to layers of sandstone and minerals, enhanced by tectonic activity which has angled the layers. It took over 24 million years to form, and covers 124 square miles, making it the largest multi-colored mountain range.

Waitomo, New Zealand
Famed for its wildlife, New Zealand is a country so gorgeous it was used as the backdrop for “The Lord of the Rings” movies. Its northernmost island, Waitomo, is home to the capital, Auckland, alongside a lesser-known cave teeming with glowworms. These are specifically the Arachnocampa Luminosa, a species exclusive to New Zealand. Boat rides through the caves provide a jaw-dropping view of the thousands of worms who live there. Pictures are unable to do the sight justice, making it a must-see. It’s also home to some impressive limestone formations, first formed 30 million years ago when the area was still submerged beneath the ocean.

Arizona, United States
The Navajo Nation is a Native American reservation covering parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It’s the country’s largest reservation, and unlike most, it’s grown since its initial formation. On the Arizona side, you can visit the Upper Antelope Canyon, a sensational slot canyon. At high noon, stunning light rays will shine directly through the canyon, revealing remarkable colorful patterns along its rock faces. It’s become a big source of tourism for the Navajo, and was formed by centuries of flash flooding. It’s still prone to these floods, making it semi-dangerous. Site safety has improved recently, meaning now is a better time than ever to visit.

Pacaraima Mountains, Venezuela / Brazil / Guyana
At the junction between three countries lies Mount Roraima, one of the largest flat-topped mountains on Earth. For those who have seen Pixar’s “Up,” it might look familiar. That’s because this mountain was the inspiration for its setting, with creators even hiking the mountain for ideas. It boasts a very fitting name originating from the indigenous Pemon people, which roughly translates to “amazing blue-green.” It’s home to a plethora of unique flora and fauna; however, most of these remain unknown. Its flat peak has an area of roughly 13 to 19 square miles and it’s more than 7,200 feet above sea level. It can take almost a week to hike, but it’s more than worth it.

Patagonia, Chile
The Andes mountain range runs along Chile’s western border, giving it its long, snakey shape. In its southern portion, travelers can visit the Cuevas de Marmol. After 6 millennia, these caves have been carved by Lake General Carrera, creating exquisite patterns. The lake itself is spectacular, with clear blue water caused by its glacial origins. The cave walls are decorated with picturesque blue patterns. Small boats and kayaks are needed to visit, since they’re inaccessible by land. If you do go, try to sail over during the early morning, when the lighting is best for photography.

Denizli, Turkey
Anatolia is one of the oldest regions inhabited by humans, making up most of modern Turkey. It’s a hot spot for astonishing nature, and one of its most unique natural wonders is the Pamukkale travertines in southwestern Turkey. Travertines are thermal pools formed due to hot springs. The result is lush blue mineral water cascading down bright white ridges. Tourists are even allowed to take a dip in some of the largest pools. The area is also home to Hierapolis, an ancient Greek city abandoned since the medieval period. Cleopatra’s Pools are also nearby, a stunning blue pool that was allegedly ordered constructed by Cleopatra herself.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Magnificent Ice Caves Can Be Found Under This Glacier

Swing Atop the Edge of a Mountain at This Astounding Location

Bioluminescent Plankton Turn These Beaches Beautifully Blue

This Park Has Some of the World’s Largest Fields of Flowers

Perch Yourself Atop the Troll’s Tongue for a Stunning View

Daniel Campos, Bolivia
Also known as the world’s greatest mirror, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat. It’s over 4,000 square miles in area and located in southwest Bolivia. It’s totally flat, and is home to more than 70% of the world’s lithium. When dry, you will be able to admire its mind-blowing hexagonal formations. After rain, a layer of water will settle on top, creating breathtaking reflections. At night, it becomes an astronomer’s dream, with the entire Milky Way being visible across both the sky and the floor. A fraction of its beauty can be revealed in photos, but you will have to visit to experience its full glory.

What natural wonder blew your mind? Tell us in the comments below!