10 Most Surreal Places On Earth (With Photos) - Travel Guide

Travel is one of life's great joys, and there are numerous ways to fill your passport. However, visiting some of the most unusual sights will do more than just fill your camera with Instagram-worthy photos. This guide will show why you should never stop exploring, from inhospitable lakes and deserts to lush, high alpine forests and everything in between. Here are the top 10 most surreal places on earth. 

Number 10 - Bryce Canyon, USA

Bryce Canyon in Utah is a wonder to explore, with the world's largest collection of hoodoos. The red rocks and pink cliffs combine to form a long list of top-notch vistas set upon the appropriately named Grand Staircase. 

The national park, which is located on a high plateau, offers more than just spectacular scenery. Visitors will also discover a world of rare flora and fauna and a night sky that will keep you awake until the early hours. 

It's simple to get around thanks to well-marked trails, but make sure to time your excursions to take advantage of the evening's brilliant golden hour. 

Number 9 - Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

Phang Nga Bay, surrounded by rugged cliffs and intriguing caves, offers some of the best paddlings on the planet. Phang Nga Bay rose to prominence with the help of Hollywood, appearing in James Bond and Star Wars. 

However, upon arrival, you'll quickly realize that the bay was always destined for fame. Since 1981, it has been a national park, and the vast bay is teeming with fascinating natural landmarks. 

One of them is James Bond Island, a limestone sea stack that rises purposefully from the Andaman Sea. Discover caves and archaeological sites while paddling around the island before seeing what treasures lie beneath the surface.

Number 8 - Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor

Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider Temple, was built nearly 900 years ago. Today, the ancient temple is being slowly eaten alive by the return of the rainforest, creating an unforgettable blend of natural and man-made beauty. 

It's an experience that combines Khmer architectural genius with the timeless power of the jungle. Visitors can see inscriptions from the temple's original inhabitants and explore ancient passageways and historic courtyards. 

Number 7 - Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes, located within Croatia's largest national park, are one of the world's most beautiful destinations. The lakes are separated by travertine terraces and are surrounded by dense rainforest, which is home to rare birds, bears, and wolves. 

The lakes are the main attraction, with crystal clear water similar to that found in the Caribbean or within a cenote. Each lake is linked by stunning waterfalls and underground tunnels. Each lake is surrounded by calcium carbonate deposits, which act as a natural dam or turf barrier. 

Number 6 - Chocolate Hills, Philippines

The Chocolate Hills of the Philippines is a collection of over a thousand mounds that turn chocolatey brown during the dry season on the island of Bohol. The seemingly identical appearance of each, scattered like giant termite mounds through otherwise lush forests, would lead many to believe they're man-made. 

The mounds were instead formed by the erosion of limestone over thousands of years. Only the hills are left to tell the story. The Chocolate Hills, which stretch far and wide, can be seen from various vantage points, including Sagbayan Peak. 

Number 5 - Deadvlei, Namibia

Deadvlei (Dead Marsh) is a strange yet awe-inspiring destination with one of the world's largest sand dunes and a petrified forest. The dunes have rusted over time due to clay in the subsoil. As a result, petrified trees, some dating back a thousand years, stand frozen in time while others decay under the scorching sun. 

When you're not admiring the skeletal trees, you can gaze up at dunes that rise over 1,300 feet into the sky. However, not all life is extinct; salsola shrubs can be found surviving on morning mists. The colossal red dunes of Deadvlei are located in Namib-Naukluft National Park. 

Number 4 - Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil

The dune and lagoon combination found in Lençóis Maranhenses cannot be described in words. It is both starkly contrasting and yet the partnership is effortless. Only by standing on the golden dunes and gazing out at the turquoise waters will you comprehend. 

The dunes are spread across an impressive rolling expanse. Each peak cascades into a trough of bright blue water, one of the national park's more than 1000 lagoons. The otherworldly sight is surprisingly off the beaten path and best experienced alone, away from hordes of other adventurers. 

Number 3 - Antelope Canyon, USA

Antelope Canyon, a narrow passageway carved by thousands of years of rain and wind, is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. The slot canyon is only three feet wide at its narrowest point, having dropped up to 100 feet. 

You'll feel a world away from the arid Arizona landscape the moment you step into the Upper or Lower Canyon, with the canyon artfully guiding you along. The beams that reach the canyon floor add another level of beauty to an already breathtaking destination. 

Number 2 - Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

You may know them as the Bolivia Salt Flats, but the proper name for the world's largest salt flats is Salar De Uyuni. The famous natural wonder is located on the high desert plains of the country's southwest and features the World's Largest Mirror. 

The salt flats provide visitors with incredible reflections, making it difficult to tell what is up and what is down. The horizon is a blur in the distance that warps perspective, causing an object in the distance to appear right next to you while being infinitely smaller. 

Number 1 - Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia in central Turkey is a scene straight out of a fairytale. It's a spellbinding destination that combines natural and man-made beauty. The region is made up of five provinces with breathtaking desert landscapes full of rock chimneys, rolling hills, and deep valleys that reflect the early morning light. Visitors come to see Cappadocia from above. 

The openness of the landscape complements the slow-rising sun, whose rays create a dancing mass of shadows and light. The openness of the landscape complements the slow-rising sun, whose rays create a dancing mass of shadows and light. However, its vastness is underappreciated. On the ground, there's a lot to see, including charming towns, historic caves where early inhabitants lived, and a region teeming with delicious eats.