“Have you got the travelling bug?
If not, you will after viewing these amazing places! From ocean seabeds filled with untouched beauty to crystalline caves, here are six of the most mysterious places in the world that will force you want to buy a ticket, put things in your bags, and begin travelling the world.
Shilin Stone Forest, Yunnan Province, China
This place may seem like a towering formation of petrified trees, but that is a common misconception about this “Stone Forest.†It is actually a configuration of natural limestone towers. It is a world heritage site, one of the biggest tourist sites in China, and open for visitation. Are your interests geared more towards small and narrow spaces? Check out some of the world’s largest cave systems!
Mount Katmai, Crater Lake, Alaska
Even if you despise the cold, don’t let it put you off of visiting this next wonder! Sitting at the top of Mountain Katmai in Alaska, is not a peak, but a giant hole. Affectionately alluded to as “Crater Lake,†this volcanic massif is a little more than 2,000m high and filled with water. With the lake itself sitting nearly 800m below the rim, it certainly makes for one exhilarating high-dive. There should be a warning, as attempting this jump is not a best idea at all, unless you are wearing a wingsuit.
Shipwreck, USS Kittiwake, Cayman Islands
Built in 1945, the Kittiwake served the US Navy for nearly 50 years as a loyal submarine rescue vessel. It even discovered the black box from the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster! Officially decommissioned in 1994, Kittiwake was chosen in 2011 to be sunk off Seven Miles Beach to become an artificial reef. It is one of the greatest “shipwrecks†in the world for diving and attracts SCUBA enthusiasts all year long. It may take some time to see the whole thing—the ship length is over 76m!
Dzitnup Cenote, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
For those not up-to-snuff with their geology terms, a term “cenote†means a sinkhole, often filled with fresh water, forming beautiful pools at the bottom. The Yucatan Peninsula is well known for them, and the Dzitnup Cenote is perhaps one of the most mysterious places you could ever visit. Of all the cenotes within the Yucatan—most still undocumented—there are an estimated 3,000 altogether, with a 160km beneath the surface of the ground river that connects most of them. The cavern is a picturesque scene of dripping stalactites that you truly need to see for yourself. The locals treat it like a community pool (and yes, you do need to purchase a ticket).
Death Valley, USA
The name may be off-putting, but if there is one place that demands bragging rights, it is definitely California’s Death Valley. It received its name for a simple reason—humans are not meant to live here. The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was recorded in this very desert. In 1913, it was a staggering 56.7 ºC (134 ºF); that’s so hot—your shoes would melt on the asphalt. To survive, you would need to drink electrolyte fluids constantly to replaces the essential minerals lost through your sweat. Wearing sunscreen would probably not hurt either.
Slot Canyons, Arizona
Arizona is known for some pretty breath-taking places, but the Slot Canyons top the list. A holy grail for any photographer, these walls—forged from flash floods—captures a beautiful range of colors. However, this area is not without its dangers, as hiker Aron Ralston proved in 2003 when he had his arm trapped by a boulder. His ordeal was later turned into the movie: 127 Hours, starring James Franco. So, if sightseeing isn’t your thing, you can always travel here to get a piece of the magic behind the big screen.”