Our beautiful world is a treasure trove of enigmatic places, each place has its own unique mystery. These places are scattered around the world as they beckon travellers to embark on a journey to the unknown.
From the ethereal beauty of Antelope Canyon of Arizona to the vibrant Reed Flute Cave in China and the mirroring sea flats of Salar de Uyuni, these intriguing places are magical enough to pull you into their charm.
So, get ready to explore these 7 world mystery places as we take you on a virtual tour to imbibe a deep sense of wonder surrounding their beauty and mystery. If interested, you may also book your next SOTC tour to one of these stunning places and take your travelling game up a notch!
The first place on the list is an eternally burning yet surreal waterfall nestled deep in Chestnut Ridge Park, New York. It derives its name from a burning flame burning for thousands of years.
The Eternal Flame Falls cascade right above the bedrock that houses this flame of fire which is simply phenomenal to look at, as told by many visitors.
This extraordinary occurrence takes place when the gas pockets (mostly methane) rising from the ground mix with the oxygen of the surrounding environment. It is, however, still a mystery how the flames keep rising amid the constant flow of water.
Some people also believe that there is a divine entity living in the cave or around the ledges that makes its presence felt via these flames.
Whatever may be the reason, the Eternal Flame Falls certainly attracts trekkers, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts. You can hike through a picturesque forest to reach this enchanting and one of the top mystery places in the world.
Here’s another burning flame making to the list of the top most mysterious places in the world – the Door to Hell or Darvaza Gas Crater located in the Karakum desert of remote Turkmenistan.
The continuously burning pit of fire goes as deep as 30 metres or 100 feet under the earth. It is surrounded by a natural gas field and has been the topic of discussion for adventurers and travellers.
Coming to the logical explanation, it is believed that a Soviet oil rig fell into this hole around 1971. Furthermore, geologists added fire to the pit to get rid of it.
The result was a constant burning hole that led to extreme fear and wonder for people standing close to it.
In these many years, no one dared to climb down the pit until one day, a National Geographic Grantee, Mr. George Kourounis rappelled down it and described his experience as being a ‘baked potato.
He explained the pit to be a huge glowing place with an orange hue and crater-like walls. In a way, the highly volatile reminded him of Mars. Recently, the government has decided to put an end to the pit that has been burning for over five decades.
Counted among the world’s mysterious places, the legendary Reed Flute Cave extends more than 200 metres into the earth and is made from natural limestones.
This limestone cave is often referred to as the Palace of Natural Arts for its vivid geological formations with various chambers named the Dragon Pagoda or the Crystal Palace.
Apart from that, you will come across several stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations that are illuminated by multi-coloured lights. It is however a mystery how these lights have come to life. Yes. It’s all natural!
Many people also visit this place to admire the massive rock slab that resembles the Chinese characters for ‘love.’ So, make sure to not miss that part of the tour.
The Reed Flute Cave dates back to the Tang Dynasty of China, which came to power around 180 million years ago. It is thus not surprising that more than 8 million people have visited this extraordinary cave.
Well, if you’re planning a trip to China for your holidays, don’t miss reading our detailed guide on China tourism.
The 72-foot tall and 270-foot deep Fingal’s cave looks something out of this world because of these basalt columns shaped as six-sided pillars making up the entire interior. These mesmerising columns serve as the gateway to the mysterious cave which rests on the ocean and is intriguing to the visitors.
Originally, it was built due to volcanic activity that took place more than 60 million years ago. The molten lava led to the formation of the cave which has now become a source of inspiration for artists like Jules Verne, James MacPherson, Pink Floyd, and Lord Tennyson.
Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture,” also known as “Fingal’s Cave,” was directly inspired by his visit to this location.
Besides, it bears a striking resemblance to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. It is said that the legendary hero Finn MacCool built a bridge from the Causeway to Fingal’s Cave to fight his epic battles. The cave’s name itself, “Fingal,” is derived from “Fionnghall,” meaning “White Stranger,” adding to the mystery.
You will have to book a ferry from Oban, Dervaig, Tobermory, Fionnphort, and Iona to reach the caves, only if the weather is calm. So, make sure to check the weather before planning a visit.
Located in the heart of the Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell is often described as one of the top world mystery places.
The lush side of the Skaftafell region serves as the perfect place for hiking since its gorgeous trails pass through forests, mountains, glaciers, ice caves, waterfalls, black sands, and more.
Skaftafell serves as the perfect base camp for the Hvannadalshnukur climb, the highest peak in Iceland, which must be done under the guidance of a professional or expert.
Its natural yet stunning ice caves can only be spotted during winters when rivers and waterfalls freeze. This area has even served as a filming location for the otherworldly scenes in the hit TV series “Game of Thrones.”
Some of the other unmissable sights in this area would include Svartifoss (Black Falls), known for its giant black basalt columns, walking the Vatnajokull glacier, and hiking to the Morsardalur valley and Kristinartindar mountain peaks.
Most tourists visit Arizona to see the wonderful Grand Canyon National Park but do you think that Antelope Canyon, one of the world’s mysterious places, is also worth a visit?
Yes, this awe-inspiring geological formation came into being several years ago due to water and wind erosion. The area was found by the Navajo Tribe, who referred to its upper part as the place ‘where water runs through rocks’ because of its sculpted walls.
The other or lower part, known as ‘Hazdistazí,’ or “spiral rock arches” however, carries its charm with distinct narrower accessibility.
Located in a small town named Page in North Arizona, this narrow canyon looks mesmerising, especially when the sun is at its zenith and its rays penetrate the narrow openings and illuminate the otherwise dim corridors.
The visual dance of sunlight brings out different colours of the walls with every passing hour of the day. The hues range from orange and red to subtle purple and blue as the night approaches.
Nestled in the southernmost region of Bolivia, this stunning expanse stretches over 10,000 sq km which makes it the largest salt flat in the world. It was formed after a few prehistoric lakes dried up, leaving behind a seemingly endless sea of brilliant white salt hexagons that shine like diamonds in sunlight.
Located around 12000 feet above sea level, this captivating salt flat transforms into a mirror-like lake during the rainy season, that is, between December and April. The thin layer of water creates a seamless reflection of the sky, transforming the landscape into an unbelievable yet infinite-looking dreamscape.
Apart from breathtaking aesthetics, the place also holds vast reserves of lithium which play a crucial role in the future of sustainable energy. According to the US Geological Survey, the place has at least 50 to 70 per cent of the world’s lithium reserves.
If you are lucky, you may even spot pink flamingos and rare species of hummingbirds hovering over the lake. Despite freezing temperatures at night and hot desert sun during the day, the salt flat sustains life most wonderfully.
Salar de Uyuni is not only a geological wonder but also a cultural treasure, as it is a sacred place for the local Aymara people. They believe that beneath the salt flats lies the submerged ancient city of Atlantis, which has yet to be unveiled. Interesting, isn’t it?
The most mysterious places in the world are also the most resplendent to most tourists and travellers. They carry a sense of uniqueness and individuality, which connects them even when they are separated by thousands of miles. Make sure to visit at least one or two of the world’s mysterious places mentioned in this list. Get in touch with the SOTC and plan your dream trip today.
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