Man’s innate desire to explore and traverse the observable world has led him to discover some amazing locations. While several people and tourists have been awed by some of the world’s fascinating spots, some of these natural wonders turned out to be pretty weird and strange.
If all you desire is to take a tour and have a feel of pure beauty and sheer magnificence, we have an interesting list for you. Also, if what you are looking for is a wild adventure across the world, we have penned down some destinations that will most likely get you an adrenaline rush.
Here are Some of the Weirdest Places in the World to Lookout For
1. Darvaza gas crater (Gates of Hell) in Turkmenistan
The name ‘Gates of Hell’ may sound like a fearful place but its geological origin says otherwise. Also referred to as the Shinning of Karakum, the Darvaza gas crater is a burning natural gas field that collapsed into a cavern near Darvaza, Turkmenistan. Some geologists have alleged that the collapse of the crater happened in the 1960s and it was set on fire only in the 1980s to prevent the emission of poisonous gases.
However, others assert that the site was drilled by Soviet engineers in 1971 as an oil field but collapsed within days. Allegedly, the engineers chose to flare the crater to prevent the emission of poisonous gases.
Notwithstanding, the Darvaza gas has not stopped burning since it was set aflame. Moreover, the lights from the ‘Gates of Hell’ make it an interesting view at night, and the location continues to attract people from all over the world.
2. The wreck of the Titanic is located south-southeast off the coast of Newfoundland
After the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 as a result of the ship’s collusion with an iceberg during her maiden voyage, several expeditions unsuccessfully tried to map the sea bed in the hope of finding the wreckage.
However, in 1985, the wreck of the Titanic was spotted by a joint French-American expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel. Since its discovery, the wreck has been the focus of interest and has been visited by numerous tourists. Regrettably, a visit to the wreck by the submersible Titan in June 2023 was not successful as the Titan imploded near the wreck, killing the 5 persons on board.
3. Confluence Of Rhone and Arve Rivers in Switzerland
The confluence of the Rhone and Arve Rivers is a unique natural phenomenon that is located in Geneva, Switzerland. This location is unique because of the contrast between these rivers as one is blue while the other remains brown. The rivers never fully mix up as a result of their difference in density. It is very unlikely that you will pass by and ignore the distinct scenery of where these waters meet.
4. Road to Heaven (on Huashan Mountain) in China
Walking the plank on Huashan Mountain can be simply described as moving along a dangerous trail. Also called Road to Heaven, the first impression is that the stairs on the mountain lead to heaven. It also gives the feel of climbing toward the clouds through a long unending stairway.
Meanwhile, the route up the mountain has been described as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world for tourists and those who love to hike. Over the years, Huashan Mountain and ‘The Road to Heaven’ has become major tourist attraction, and the mountain’s accessibility has greatly improved with the installation of cable cars.
5. The Catacombs of France
The Paris Catacombs are a network of old quarry tunnels beneath Paris that serve as the ultimate resting place for about six million Parisians. The majority of the skulls and bones here were collected from the city’s overcrowded cemeteries in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The bones were not arranged in the displays seen today until the French government realized its potential as a tourist attraction. Today, thousands of people visit The Catacombs of France to see a wide array of ancient skulls.
6. The Crooked Forest in Poland
The crooked forest has become a protected natural monument in Poland. The forest contains a grove of about 400 oddly shaped pines that were planted around 1930. Interestingly, each pine tree bends sharply to the north, just above the ground level. It is generally believed that some form of human tool or technique was employed to make the trees grow in this manner. But the method has never been determined and remains a mystery. Meanwhile, the crooked forest is open to the public and is a notable tourist attraction.
7. Great Blue Hole in Belize
Situated near the center of a Lighthouse Reef in Belize, The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole that was formed during the phases of the Quaternary glaciation, when sea levels were much lower. It is also a popular spot among recreational scuba divers who are lured to meet several fish species, including midnight parrotfish, Caribbean reef shark, and other juvenile fish species.
In 2012, Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole as number one on its list of The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth. However, it is also mentioned to be a perilous spot, especially for divers who are drawn to wild exploration.
8. Sailing Stones in Death Valley, California
The Death Valley in California is one of the weirdest places in the world owing to the phenomenon of the sailing or moving Stones that have bewildered people for generations. The rocks in Death Valley move and inscribe long tracks along a smooth valley floor without any intervention. The first documented account of the sliding rock phenomenon dates to 1915 and this became a springboard for further studies. At the moment, it is believed that possible climate change has facilitated the movement of these rocks, though not yet confirmed.
9. Aokigahara Forest in Japan
Also called the Suicide Forest, this place is situated at the foothills of the famed volcano Mount Fuji in Japan. It is known for its endless cases of suicide and suicide attempts, making the forest one of the weirdest places in the world. Because of the rate of suicide in Aokigahara, officials of the forest have been compelled to place a sign at the forest’s entry urging suicidal visitors to seek help and not take their own lives. Annual body searches have been conducted by police, volunteers, and journalists since 1970 and several dead bodies have been recovered.
10. Lake Hillier in Australia
Located in Western Australia, Lake Hillier maintains its deep pink color all year round and the vibrant color does not alter even when the water is taken in a container. The lake’s color is believed to be due to the presence of the organism Dunaliella salina. The only living organisms in Lake Hillier are microorganisms including Dunaliella salina and red algae which cause the salt content in the lake to create a red dye that helps produce the color. Despite the high salt content levels, people and tourists can swim in the lake.
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Awesome Locations and Attractions that People Have Explored in the Past
1. Caño Cristales (The River Of 5 Colors) in Colombia
Situated in Colombia, the Caño Cristales is also known as the River of 5 Colors. It sits in the mountain range of Serranía de la Macarena and is known to be adorned with amazing colors that include vivacious yellow, green, blue, black, and red.
The coloring in the water is caused by a unique red plant called Macarenia clavigera, which grows in the riverbed. The other colors in the water come from black rocks, green algae, blue water, and yellow sand.
Because of the stunning beauty of the river of 5 colors, it has become an incredible spot for photographers and people who love to swim. Moreover, there are no aquatic creatures in the water, making swimmers enjoy themselves without interruption.
2. Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale refers to ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. It is a beautiful natural site in Denizili Province of southwestern Turkey. It has water cascades from natural springs that run down white travertine terraces, forming amazing thermal pools. Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988 and has remained a major tourist attraction because of its stunning formation and beauty.
3. Mano del Desierto (The Hand in the Desert) in Chile
The Mano del Desierto is a large sculpture of a hand that was made by Chilean sculptor, Mario Irarrázabal. Located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, the artwork references the human rights violations perpetrated by the Pinochet regime. The sculpture stands at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level and is 36 ft tall. Because of its incredible features and what it represents, the sculpture has become a point of interest for tourists visiting from all over the world.
4. Red Beach in Panjin, China
The Red beach is covered in a kind of seaweed called Sueda, which turns brilliant red in the fall. To allow visitors to explore the tiny portion of the beach that is open to the public, a wooden walkway is placed through the beach, extending out to the sea. This has attracted many tourists across China, Asia, and other parts of the world.
5. Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand
In the Waitomo Glowworm caves of New Zealand, a large number of glowworms called Arachnocampa Luminosa light up the Waitomo Caves in their thousands. These glowworms which are unique to New Zealand are bioluminescent and they patch along the cave’s ceiling, creating the illusion of an overhead sky that is full of stars.
6. Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)
Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia happens to be the world’s largest salt flat, which stretches about 4,050 square miles. It is devoid of wildlife or any form of vegetation. It is also known for its extreme flatness, clear skies, and polygonal cracks which appear in the dry season. Meanwhile, Salar de Uyuni has two distinct seasons which include the rainy season, from December to April. This is when visitors come to witness its breathtaking mirror effect. The dry season is from May to November and temperatures are colder at this period. Also, the ground gets hardened, and travelers can drive across the stark white landscape to places that aren’t accessible in the rainy season.
7. Antelope Canyon in Arizona
Located on Navajo land in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is a stunning, picturesque slot canyon with colorful, wavy walls illuminated by streaming beams of light. Over the years, it has become a popular location for sightseers, and a source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation.
8. Son Doong Cave in Vietnam
Son Doong is not just a beautiful natural spot but also the largest cave in the world with a volume of 38.5 million m3. Meanwhile, the cave was not opened to the public for visit until 2013. Moreover, the cave is so large that it has its own weather system, including clouds. Also, a 747 airplane could fly through it.
9. Tunnel of Love in Ukraine
The Tunnel of Love is a section of an industrial railway located near Klevan, Ukraine. It is a special railway that is surrounded by green arches and is about 3 to 5 kilometers long. Over time, it has become a romantic place where couples love to have a walk and it is believed that couples who walk through the tunnel will have their wishes come true.
10. Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
The Serengeti National Park is also a world heritage site comprising millions of different wildlife species. It has become a famous viewing site as it is known to host the largest population of lions in the world. The park is also home to large animals like elephants, rhinoceros, leopards, and Cape buffalo.
