Top 20 Underappreciated Wonders of the World

Top-20-Underappreciated-Wonders-Of-The-World

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the breathtaking places around the world, both natural and man-made, that deserve a little more recognition.

#20: Cappadocia
Turkey
The Valle de la Luna in Chile deserves a mention here for its extraordinary geologic formations. But we can’t help but be enchanted by the characteristic fairy chimneys of this historical region. Stacked with geological marvels and fascinating structures, Cappadocia contains ancient churches, monasteries, and dwellings carved into rocks. Hot air balloons dot the sky as tourists explore the stunning area from above. But there’s even more to explore beneath the surface. That includes Derinkuyu, an underground city large enough to have housed 20,000 people. This place could warrant a spot on the list on its own, but the whole region is remarkable.

#19: Banaue Rice Terraces
Philippines
While they’ve been placed on an unofficial long list for the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Banaue Rice Terraces are not as widely known as many other world marvels. The remarkable terrain is 2,000 years in the making, with generations of Ifugao people tending to the intricately carved mountainside terraces.Although it’s been disputed exactly when these irrigated rice terraces were created, it’s generally thought that they were largely made by human hands — and without much equipment. The site is popular amongst tourists, but we’re hoping to cultivate some additional appreciation by adding it to our list.

#18: Borobudur Temple
Indonesia
This 8th or 9th-century Buddhist temple is the largest in the world. Located in Indonesia, the magnificent structure was a monument of the Sailendra Dynasty, which ruled the area for around five centuries. In the upper terraces of the temple, bell-shaped structures called stupas contain Buddhas and provide nice spaces for meditation. With a panoramic view of the trees down below, it’s an atmosphere like no other. And while the temple is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and popular tourist attraction within Indonesia, not everyone in other parts of the world is aware of this marvel.

#17: Kuang Si Falls
Laos
There’s something inexplicably magical about a waterfall, both in its sound and sight. Very few waterfalls can measure up to the beauty of Kuang Si Falls in Laos. It features three tiers, with the main fall boasting a 200-foot drop. What lies below is arguably just as mesmerizing — stunning shallow turquoise pools connected by cascades, allowing water to flow from one pool to the next. Also worthy of mention here are a couple of other underrated and enchanting falls, like the Fairy Pools in Scotland and Kravica Waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

#16: Leshan Giant Buddha
China
Nestled within a cliff face at the junction of the Min and Dadu rivers in the Sichuan Province is a massive, eye-catching Buddha. The statue was expertly crafted during the Tang dynasty and is located within the Mount Emei Scenic Area. Crucial to the history of Buddhism, the Sichuan Province is also home to the first Buddhist temple in China. The towering Leshan Giant Buddha is actually the tallest Buddha sculpture in the world at 233 feet. Whether you admire it from the stairs, from a boat, or just in pictures, the Leshan Giant Buddha is striking.

#15: Leptis Magna
Libya
Remnants from the ancient city of Leptis have survived for thousands of years. Founded in the 7th century BCE, the city became an important part of the Roman Empire before being abandoned in the 7th century CE. However, many of its structures, buried under sand dunes for centuries, were unearthed in the 1920s. Among the recovered elements of the settlement are the ruins of an ancient amphitheater and marketplace. The Tetrapylon Arch is truly extraordinary. Also visible is the Severan Basilica, with its elaborate carvings and columns. As far as taking a stroll through history goes, Leptis Magna is a sight to behold.

#14: Tikal
Guatemala
Imagine roaming through a rainforest in Guatemala on a gorgeous, sunny day. And then boom, there it is — a 154-foot-high structure with a steep staircase. The structure is known as Tikal Temple I, and it’s one of the major components of a pre-Columbian Maya civilization. The city of Tikal is home to a collection of astonishing structures in its main plaza, now part of Tikal National Park. Researchers believe that Tikal was inhabited as early as the 6th century BC. In addition to the surviving architecture, the artistic remains at the site make for an astonishing trip back in time.

#13: Great Pyramid of Cholula
Mexico
You may have heard of Chichen Itza, which was part of the New 7 Wonders of the World campaign. However, it’s not the only remarkable archaeological site in Mexico. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is actually the largest pyramid by volume known to exist in the entire world. Believed to be constructed as a temple to the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl, its history dates back to around 200 BC. The pyramid has not been fully excavated, because a historically significant church sits atop the temple. It’s believed that the structure accounts for just a portion of the entire archaeological site in which it resides.

#12: Salar de Uyuni
Bolivia
This is a wonder 40,000 years in the making. Prehistoric lakes evaporated, leaving polygonal formations of salt and other minerals in expansive, flat areas. The world’s largest example of the salt flat phenomenon is located in Bolivia. Salar de Uyuni covers approximately 4,086 square miles. And while you might typically try to avoid bad weather when going on a trip, the rainy season is actually the best time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats. That’s when you can observe an unparalleled wonder — the largest natural mirror on Earth, right beneath your feet.

#11: Tsingy de Bemaraha
Madagascar
There’s something unusual, yet beautiful, about the shape, size, and abundance of limestone located at the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar. The word ‘tsingy’ can mean ‘where one cannot walk barefoot’ – a fitting name given the park's sharp, needle-like limestone pinnacles that form a maze-like landscape. While you wouldn’t want to forget your shoes, the region is an ideal place to take in one of nature’s many marvels. The steep slopes are home to a variety of rare species. Tsingy de Bemaraha offers spectacular views and a true sense of awe.

#10: Chartres Cathedral
France
A definite high point of French Gothic art and architecture, Chartres Cathedral is often overlooked, usually in favor of Paris’ more immediately famous Notre Dame. However, Chartres is an almost perfectly preserved example of its era. It boasts pristine stained glass, two complementary spires on its west end, and general architectural features that are largely unchanged since the early thirteenth century. It genuinely is the genuine article! Speaking of ‘genuine articles’, Chartres also houses the Sancta Camisa relic, which legend has it was clothing worn by the Virgin Mary when Christ was born!

#9: Angkor Wat
Cambodia
Often cited as the most significant place never to have received ‘Wonder of the World’ classification, Angkor Wat is one of our planet’s largest religious monuments. It’s also enormously popular, attracting more than two million tourists every year! A temple complex rather than one lone structure, it was built in the 12th century as a place for Hindu worship. By the end of the century, it was converted to Buddhist uses. One of the first Western visitors to Angkor Wat, António da Madalena, wrote, “it is like no other building in the world”… And he was right!

#8: Ajanta Caves
India
Considered one of the earliest examples of Buddhist art and architecture anywhere in the world, the Ajanta Caves deserve to be a big deal! By most estimates, many of the carvings date back as early as the second century BC. The caves are situated within dense jungle and were rediscovered in 1819 largely by accident, by a British officer while on a hunt. Described by the Archaeological Survey of India as “the finest surviving examples of Indian art,” the caves’ insides offer ancient depictions of Buddhist teachings and figures of the Buddha himself.

#7: Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sri Lanka
Also known as the Lion Rock of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is the country’s most visited historic site and a truly unique attraction. When King Kashyapa seized the throne, he made Sigiriya his new capital and fortress. The gigantic rock formation was decorated with distinctive artwork as well as a gateway adorned with a lion – thus the name Lion Rock. After Kashyapa’s death in 495 AD, the site became a Buddhist monastery and fulfilled this function until the 14th century. And now, it’s an archaeological melting pot, a geological peculiarity that offers a “once in a lifetime” panoramic view!

#6: Wave Rock
Australia
Name a world famous rock located in Australia. Most would only ever have one answer - Ayers Rock, otherwise known as Uluru! However, if you ever are Down Under, you could head to Perth, take a three/four-hour tour out to Hyden, and have yourself a geological experience that’s a little less mainstream! This rock, so named for obvious appearance-related reasons, is some 2.7 billion years in the making! Contrary to logical belief,the best waves in Australia aren’t always found on the coast!

#5: Ancient City of Bagan
Myanmar
The capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries, at its height Bagan was home to over 10,000 religious temples. Now those numbers have dwindled… But still there remain an unprecedented 2,200+ monuments, pagodas, temples and buildings within the city, scattered across 100 square kilometres! It was once an international center for alchemy, astrology, philosophy and medicine and, though it no longer thrives as in yesteryear, it remains one of the most magical places on Earth!

#4: Metéora Suspended Rock Monasteries
Greece
With a name meaning “suspended in air,” our next underappreciated place is incredible now, but was even more so when first created! TheMetéora complex is a series of monasteries carved into and built atop of unique sandstone pillars, rising out of the trees. Originally inhabited in the9th century by religious recluses and monks, the buildings were deliberately difficult to access, via a frighteningly fragile rope and net pulley system. There are carved staircases now, but the original inhabitants were real hardcore hermits!

#3: The White Temple [aka Wat Rong Khun]
Thailand
Today’s most modern wonder, the White Temple is a work in progress, not expected to be fully completed until 2070. Privately owned and constructed by Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, it is situated in Thailand’s Chiang Rai Province and, after falling into disrepair and being rebuilt by the artist, opened in 1997. The Temple is both a conventional place of Buddhist worship, and an unconventional house for modern art and ideas. The Ubosot is its central building, inside of which are murals dedicated not to tradition, but to contemporary events and idols… Michael Jackson features here, as does Freddy Kruger; there are images of the oil industry, and of terrorism. Because one day, this’ll all be ancient history too!

#2: Meenakshi Amman Temple
India
Considered as architecturally important to Southern India as the Taj Mahal is to the North, the Meenakshi Temple is six hectares of unrivalled art, culture, legend and history. Said to be the home of triple-breasted goddess Meenakshi, whose superfluous breast melted away upon marriage to Shiva, it houses an estimated 33,000 sculptures, and welcomes 15,000 visitors a day! Many of those visitors stick around until closing as well, for an important daily ritual in which an image of Shiva is carried to Meenakshi’s bedroom, to consummate their union.

#1: Angel Falls
Venezuela
At 3,212 feet tall, our winner is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall – and if that’s not wonder-worthy, then what is?! Angel Falls, named after the U.S. aviator who first flew over them, have a legendary spot within the history of exploration. Notoriously difficult to locate, and even harder to navigate once you’re actually there, they’ve become a sort of unofficial aim for any aspiring adventurer. Plus, they’re the inspiration for Paradise Falls in the Pixar film, “Up”!… Quite simply, they’re beautiful, they’re breath-taking, and they beat everything else out there!

Which of these majestic sites is first on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments below.