12 Destinations That Look Too Amazing to Be Real

Imagine a gigantic prehistoric cave with clouds billowing out of the entrance, sounds of a river raging from somewhere inside the cave, and a strong cold wind blowing out from it. We’ve all seen a scene like this before, right? Usually in some fantasy fiction films or in some nature-based crime thrillers. But guess what? A place like this actually exists.

Hang Son Doong is the largest cave in the world, with its mysterious aura, towering stalagmites, spectacular skylights, enchanting phytokarst, and rare cave pearls. Formed about two to five million years ago, the cave is so huge that it has its own localized weather system with mist, winds, and rain clouds forming inside. In this biodiversity hotspot, one has to crawl, swim, abseil, and mount up like animals to witness and explore the caves. This serene retreat is miles away from the helter-skelter of urbanity, making it a perfect fit for adventure seekers.

British novelist Roald Dahl once wrote: “The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.” This perfectly describes the awe-inspiring Baatara Gorge Waterfall in Lebanon, a scene reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. The unexpected waterfall plunges an astounding 837 feet into a cave and falls behind three natural bridges, which raise one above the other and overhang a chasm descending into the depths of Mount Lebanon.

Also known as “The Cave of Three Bridges,” this uniquely distinctive waterfall is the product of millions of years of Jurassic limestone erosion. Geologists report that it is around 160 million years old and must have been around when dinosaurs roamed the area. The remarkable natural beauty of this incredible structure makes it one of the greatest natural marvels of the region. Strap on your backpack and hike to the site, as this picturesque waterfall should be on your bucket list.

The Dzükou Valley, in northeast India, is a hidden paradise. The valley is a picture-perfect postcard masterpiece of nature’s handiwork that belongs in a fairy tale or fantasy novel. Stretching as far as the eye can see, the Dzükou valley boasts a treeless sweep of rolling hillocks, verdant glens, river-cut ravines, meandering clear rivulets, and vibrant multi-colored wildflowers. The valley’s beauty largely derives from its interesting topography, sculpted over millennia by the geological processes of weathering and erosion. The convoluted folds, ripples, and contours of the valley are a marvel to witness, and few travelers will have ever observed anything like this before. Owing to its remoteness, this serene retreat is largely untouched.

Unlike other places in the list, this landform doesn’t offer much to see at ground level and is said to be best visible from space. Also known as the “Eye of the Sahara,” the Richat Structure is a unique giant circular feature that looks like a bull’s eye in the otherwise featureless expanse of the Sahara Desert. At first glance, it resembles a remnant of a meteor impact. However, it comprises what geologists call a domed anticline, likely due to volcanic activity followed by millions of years of erosion, revealing layers of older sedimentary rocks beneath newly formed rocks. Though it looks like something you’d encounter on Mars or Jupiter, this geological wonder is located right here on Earth.

Remember the floating mountains from Avatar? Those mystical mountains weren’t fictional and actually exist on Earth. They are the uniquely stunning Tianzi Mountains located in Zhangjiajie, China. Often surrounded by mist, the tower-like peaks of the Tianzi Mountains abruptly rise up from the tree-covered ground beneath to produce a landscape like no other. No wonder James Cameron pulled inspiration from these mountains for the fictional world of “Pandora.” This wonderful landscape is the product of millions of years of sedimentary rock erosion. The weathered, slender, jagged ancient sandstone pinnacles, some as tall as about 4,100 feet, are nature’s version of skyscrapers.

Deep under a mountain in the tiny mining town of Naica, Mexico, lies a magnificent underground spectacle: the enormous Cave of Crystals. The cave is home to the largest crystalline formations ever found on Earth. This horseshoe-shaped cave is filled with massive, milky-white selenite crystals and looks eerily like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.

However, this real-life version is stiflingly hot, the air is acidic, the humidity high, and no natural light enters. Scientists speculate that a mass of boiling magma directly beneath the cave forced hot, mineral-rich waters into caverns and gaps, birthed, and supercharged these giant crystals’ growth. The ideal conditions for growing crystals are completely inhospitable for humans. Unsurprisingly, the Cave of Crystals is not a tourist destination, but its mysterious beauty enables us to understand the endless hidden possibilities of our planet.

The phenomenal Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is neither a mirage nor a movie set but one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. Thousands of dazzling blue lagoons hide below towering otherworldly sand dunes. Every oasis of turquoise lakes invites travelers to toil across the pristine white sand and hurl themselves into the beautiful abyss. This pristine retreat is certainly too good to be true. Lençóis Maranhenses has been shaped over thousands of years as the sand from riverbeds is accumulated at the mouth of the rivers and brought back to the continent by winds and sea currents. The best time to experience these brilliant pools of paradise up close and personal is during the rainy season when it’s still sunny, and every trough is filled with cerulean waters.

The Ik Kil Cenote reminisces a scenery straight out of a fairy tale where the magic of nature manifests in the most evident and powerful way. Cenote Ik Kil is a deep natural sinkhole formed by collapsing of a cave. Back in the day, the Mayans considered cenotes sacred and used the site to practice rituals and offerings. The walls of the cenote are enveloped in green leaves and vines hanging down beautifully from the top all the way down to the water, tempting visitors to swing like Tarzan. Its magnificent size, perfectly circular shape, straight-high walls covered in enchanting vines, waterfalls spilling through its walls, and solemn, mystical vibe make Ik Kil one of the most alluring cenotes in the world. Walking down the stairs that lead to the cenote’s water feels like descending into a mystical cave in which the magical side of nature is always to be found.

The enchanting Marble Caves in Chile are a unique natural wonder with their gorgeous myriad of colors and mesmerizing layered textures. Over 6,200 years, the huge marble deposits on the edge of the General Carrerra Lake have been naturally eroded by wave action, creating caverns, tunnels, arches, and huge columns of pure marble.

Embark on a one-of-a-kind boat or kayak excursion to explore a labyrinth of water-sculpted incredible blue caverns and intricate caves that will leave you breathless. The mineral impurities in the marble have turned into beautiful calligraphy swirls of dramatic pink and blue across the walls. The water beneath is an almost luminescent turquoise, and the light reflects across the soft pinks, blues, yellows, and greens that run through the marble. Prepare to be utterly captivated by an impressive cerulean display of colors skillfully illustrated by Mother Nature.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is home to a sprawling limestone formation that consists of thousands of spiky jagged towers soaring hundreds of feet into the air, separated by slot canyons. Popularly known as Stone Forest, these limestone karsts’ peaks, points, and wavy edges are otherworldly and look more like a scene from a sci-fi film. This almost impenetrable rock labyrinth shelters some of the world’s rarest and most diverse wildlife. The formation of this alien-looking geological wonder began some 200 million years ago as a result of tectonic activity and erosion. The grandiosity of this spectacular natural landscape attracts determined nature revelers, mountain and rock climbers, wildlife enthusiasts, scientists, and anyone else who cherishes being awed by Mother Nature.

The glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón and its frozen beach is one of Iceland’s natural crown jewels. The glistening blue and white floating icebergs of all shapes and sizes break off the glacier and peacefully make their way into the lagoon forming an otherworldly landscape. These impressive icebergs, with their glittering colors, are a treat to the eyes and indeed nature’s seasoned handiwork. A popular location for many big Hollywood films, be prepared to be blown away by the stunning vastness and unique beauty of majestic icebergs sailing through the enormous lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean.