20 Places To Visit That Are So Whimsical It's Hard To Believe They Exist
The only solution: Go see these sights with your own eyes.
If you love traveling to destinations off the beaten path, we have a few unbelievable locations you'll want to add to your travel bucket list. These canyons and islands and parks aren't just unexpected, they are completely and utterly whimsical. From landscapes covered in flowers to rainbow-hued rock formations, it's hard to believe some of these places are real. Read on to find out where exactly you can find them.
Antelope Canyon
On Navajo land in Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is an otherworldly slot canyon made up of spiral rock arches. Explore the endless pathways that beautifully let in streams of natural sunlight, and make for some pretty incredible photo opportunities.
Luoping County
When its 800 square miles of canola plants are in full bloom, this area looks like a sea of gold. Experience the springtime floral wonder in the county of Luoping in eastern Yunnan, China.
Palawan Island
Named the best island in the world for three consecutive years, Palawan Island is one of the Philippines' most exceptional destinations. The entire island is a mountain range with surreal peaks and rock formations poking through the greenery. Aside from the stunning scenery, there is also a Japanese shipwreck and an animal reserve for numerous endangered species to be explored.
Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park
Believe it or not, these "rainbow mountains" as they're called are not Photoshopped. They are part of the very real Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park in China, where layers of colorful sandstone and minerals were pressed together for over 24 million years, resulting in this multi-color mountain range.
Mendenhall Glacier
In Juneau, Alaska, you'll find a 13-mile long river of ice to be explored around the massive Mendenhall Glacier. The area is dotted with unbelievable waterfalls, fascinating wildlife (like bald eagles and porcupines), and excellent hiking trails.
White Sands National Monument
To see one of the world's greatest wonders, you don't even need to leave the country. At New Mexico's White Sands National Monument, in the Chihuahuan Desert, you'll discover miles of dramatic dunes as far as the eye can see, made of rare white gypsum.
The Piano Grande
Find this stunning plateau 4,000 feet above sea level, in Italy's Apennine mountains. The elevated natural marvel is made from porous limestone which holds underground water reserves, making for an unbelievable number of vibrant wild flowers in the spring and summer months.
Champagne Pool
New Zealand's Waiotapu (meaning "sacred waters" in Māori), is an active geothermal area with some of the world's most colorful hot springs. It's also known as the Champagne Pool because of its high carbon dioxide levels, which are similar to a glass of bubbly champagne.
Cliffs Of Moher
In a country of fantastical landscapes, the Cliffs of Moher remain Ireland's most-visited natural travel destination. Situated in County Clare, these rugged cliffs rise 390 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, and provide the most spectacular view of the surrounding Aran Islands and nearby mountain ranges.
Hitachi Seaside Park
Walk the winding trails of Japan's Hitachi Seaside Park and see millions of daffodils, 170 different kinds of tulips, and likely dozens of flora you're never encountered before.
Joshua Tree National Park
Perhaps Dr. Seuss spotted one of these trees as he created his illustrations, because they look surprisingly cartoonish and similar to the trees in his work. Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is filled with the trees, which live for about 150 years.
Salar de Uyuni
This surreal salt flat is the world's largest, with 4,500 square miles of land, salt mounds and the occasional wild ostrich spotting. Found in southwestern Bolivia, the reflective Salar is known for causing optical illusions that make tiles of salt seem endless and the sky seem underfoot.
Sakoneta
This clothing-optional beach in northern Spain is essentially an expanse of rock formations. The rough swimming conditions can involve wind and powerful waves — but it's worth visiting to catch a beautiful sunset.
Mount Kirkjufell
As Iceland's most photographed mountain, Mount Kirkjufell is a stunning site that draws Instagrammers and hikers alike. Found on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, the mountain's summit is found 1,500 feet above sea level.
Cappadocia
In central Turkey, explore "fairy chimney" formations made of rock that have been formed through the years by solidified volcanic ash, wind and water. The resulting shapes are an intriguing and imaginative sight in Cappadocia.
Pink Lake
In Western Australia you'll come across a site seemingly from a cartoon — the sprawling Pink Lake on Middle Island. It's thought that the high levels of algae in the water give it its stunning hue.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Nearly 1.9 million acres (roughly the size of Delaware) make up the beautiful Grand Staircase-Escalante, a display of sedimentary erosion with opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, ATV and much more.
Lake Resia
A power company made the decision in the 1950s to flood a valley floor in Italy's South Tyrol region. The area, Reschensee, was once home to a village, and while most of it was demolished, a historic church tower was permitted to stay. Today, it peeks above the water with an air of mystery .
Bavarian Forest
The highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest, Arber Mountain showcases stunning scenery all year long. Known for incredible sunsets and sunrises, its snow-covered trees (covered in so much powder, in fact, it nearly looks like a cartoon) create a picturesque background for skiers and snowboarders.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Badlands
In northwestern New Mexico, you'll find the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Badlands, which feature incredible rock formations (many look like they're balancing other rocks) and fossils. Embrace the serenity of the region with cross-country hiking — the Badlands are a non-motorized area with no trails.
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