Mysterious wonders of the world

Discover the majesty of nature through 20 little-known wonders of the world.

Mysterious wonders of the world

Besides famous wonders like the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal of India, the following places are also impressive and unique but little known.

1. Black Sand Beach in Iceland

The black sand beaches of Iceland look like a surreal scene from a fantasy movie. They are known for their exceptionally dark sand, which comes from the volcanoes in the area.

Black sand beach in Iceland. (Photo: Tripadvisor).

When molten lava comes into contact with water, it cools and solidifies, breaking into small pieces. Over time, these pieces erode and break into smaller pieces, eventually forming black sand.

2. Lake Natron

Lake Natron is a unique saltwater lake located in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. The lake is one of the great but little-known natural wonders and is especially red in color.

This red color is caused by the high content of minerals and salts, especially sodium carbonate and other alkaline salts. These salts are brought into the lake by hot springs and mineral-rich groundwater from the surrounding volcanic areas.

Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. (Photo: Tanzania Horizon).

The lake's high alkalinity and salinity create a harsh environment for most living things. However, Lake Natron is home to a variety of halophilic microorganisms and algae, including cyanobacteria. These organisms thrive in the harsh conditions and give the lake its vibrant red or pink color.

3. Antelope Canyon

This canyon is located in the southwestern United States, in the Navajo Nation Reservation near Page, Arizona. What makes this canyon remarkable are its exquisite geological formations and beautiful colors.

The canyon has narrow, winding passages that have been eroded by wind and water over time. The walls are smooth and curved, with beautiful patterns carved into the rock.

Antelope Canyon in the southwestern United States. (Photo: Visit Arizona).

Visitors can book guided tours to explore the canyon, then venture deeper into the depths and enjoy a unique display of colour, from vibrant reds and oranges to serene blues and purples. The contrast of light and shadow highlights the smooth, curvaceous shape of the canyon walls.

4. Na Pali Coast

Na Pali is one of the most photographed places in Hawaii. The lush green cliffs rise up around the sparkling turquoise waters, creating an unforgettable scene.

Na Pali Coast in Hawaii. (Photo: Go Hawaii).

Most visitors will find the landscape quite familiar as it has appeared in many famous movies, such as Jurassic Park. While it can be explored by sea, visitors should book an air tour to see the full splendor of the Na Pali Coast.

5. Belize Blue Hole

The Blue Hole of Belize is a famous natural wonder located off the coast of Belize in Central America. One of the largest and deepest underwater sinkholes in the world, it is over 300m in diameter and over 120m deep.

The Blue Hole of Belize in Central America. (Photo: Geographical Magazine).

From the air, it forms a circular shape surrounded by turquoise water, creating a mesmerizing contrast. The deep blue color is due to the depth and clarity of the water. The blue hole was formed more than 10,000 years ago, after a series of events during the ice age when sea levels were much lower than they are today.

6. Yellowstone National Park

Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the oldest national park not only in the United States but also in the world. In its early years, the story of its brilliance was met with skepticism because the geothermal activity here was thought to be unusual.

Yellowstone National Park in the United States. (Photo: Visit The USA).

Popular geothermal activities here include geysers, hot springs, mud pots and steam vents. The park is home to the famous Old Faithful geyser, which shoots water up to 160 feet into the air on a regular schedule.

7. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is a natural wonder not to be missed.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. (Photo: Viettravelland).

The bay has more than 1,600 limestone islands and islets, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring seascape. The emerald waters of Ha Long Bay are ideal for boat trips. The best time to visit the bay is from October to April, as the weather is quite cool during this period.

8. Pamukkale

Pamukkale in Turkish means 'Cotton Castle', is known as the 8th natural wonder of the world and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1988. Pamukkale is located in the city of Denizli, southwest of Türkiye, about 650 km from Istanbul.

Pamukkale Cotton Castle in southwestern Turkey. (Photo: Tripadvisor).

From a distance, Pamukkale looks like a snow-capped mountain. Over the eons, natural deposits of calcium carbonate-rich hot spring water have formed a series of pure white limestone layers that overlap like steps.

Visitors to Pamukkale have the opportunity to walk barefoot on the terraces, enjoying the feeling of warm mineral-rich water flowing around their feet. The terraces are not only visually stunning, but are also known for their healing properties.

9. Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is a majestic natural wonder located on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Composed of more than 275 waterfalls, Iguazu is the largest waterfall system in the world. It is surrounded by lush rainforests and the sound of the falling water is like thunder.

Iguazu Falls is located on the border between Argentina and Brazil. (Photo: CNN).

One of the most popular attractions at Iguazu Falls is Devil's Throat, a U-shaped waterfall that rises more than 80 meters high. It is formed by a large semicircular cliff jutting out from the surrounding landscape, with water spilling over the edge and into the deep abyss below.

10. Salar De Uyuni

Salar de Uyuni, also known as the Uyuni salt flats, is a unique natural wonder located in southwestern Bolivia. This is the largest salt flat in the world, covering an area of ​​over 10,000 km2, at an altitude of about 3,650 m above sea level.

Salar De Uyuni salt flats in southwestern Bolivia. (Photo: Pexels).

The Uyuni Salt Flats are a vast expanse of land that stretches out into a surreal and unusual landscape. The salt flats were formed by the evaporation of prehistoric lakes, leaving behind a thick layer of salt and minerals.

The texture of the salt flats changes as you move across them, some areas are smooth and flat while others are cracked and rugged, giving you the feeling of being in another world. The view is even more beautiful during the rainy season, when the water on the salt flats reflects the sky and creates a surreal scene.

11. Cano Cristales River, Colombia

Often referred to as the 'River of Five Colors' or the 'Liquid Rainbow', the striking yellow, green, blue, black and red colours of the Cano Cristales River are created by the fixation of vegetation on the Cano Cristales riverbed. Locals believe that the river flows from the 'Garden of Eden'. Many visitors also consider it one of the most beautiful rivers on Earth.

12. Chocolate Hills - Chocolate Hills in the Philippines

Legend has it that the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines were the tears of a giant named Alogo, who cried in grief after losing his lover. The tears formed scattered hills. Some say that these hills look like Hershey's Chocolate Kiss - a type of chocolate candy. This is where the name Chocolate Hills comes from.

13. Mount Zao, Japan

Mount Zao is one of the most famous mountains in Japan, famous for its 'snow monsters'. They are strange shapes that appear in the middle of winter, formed after ice begins to accumulate on the trees and is then covered with snow. The entire forest of strange creatures is enough to make anyone shiver.

14. Waitomo Glowworm Cave, New Zealand

Visitors to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves will be drawn to the thousands of glowing glowworms that emit a blue light with a hint of green. Local tour companies often organize tours, such as glowworm boat tours.

15. Lake Baikal, Russia

It is the world's largest freshwater lake and is particularly enchanting in winter. The ice season typically begins in mid-January and lasts until mid-April, offering visitors stunning views of crystal-clear turquoise ice glistening in the Siberian sun.

16. Zhangye National Geopark, China

The landscape of Zhangye National Geopark is sometimes soft, sometimes sharp, with shades of coffee, ginger and cinnamon. It is like a 24 million year old cake with special beauty and charm.

17. Lake Hillier, Australia

Located on the edge of Middle Island off the coast of Western Australia, Lake Hillier is a salt lake famous for its bubblegum pink colour. The colour of the lake remains the same even when you pour water from the lake into a container. Experts believe that the colour is caused by an organism called Dunaliella salina, a green bacteria, in the lake water. Analysis has also shown the presence of various species of bacteria in the lake water. Despite its high salt content, Lake Hillier is safe to swim in. However, swimming is prohibited to preserve the rare microorganisms in the lake, and the best way to enjoy the lake is from the air.

18. Spotted Lake, Canada

Located in the eastern part of the Similkameen Valley, this lake is named for the many minerals that have accumulated on the surface of its waters. Visitors have compared the lake to the long neck of a giraffe. In fact, after analysis, scientists have discovered that the lake's salinity combined with its mineral composition may allow the water in the lake to heal a variety of ailments. The Okanagan First Nations tribe has long believed that the lake has the ability to heal a variety of wounds and illnesses. According to The Earth Chronicles of Life, an old tribal story tells that the lake was able to stop an ancient war between tribes by healing the wounds of warriors so quickly that they decided fighting was pointless.

19. Eternal Flame Falls - Eternal Flame Falls America

This waterfall is located in Chestnut Ridge Park, New York. Behind the water, there is a fire that burns almost year-round. Natural gas is released from a small cave at the base of the falls and the falls are intentionally set on fire to create this amazing and mesmerizing phenomenon.

20. Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia lies 124 metres below sea level, making it one of the lowest places on earth. It is also one of the hottest places on earth, with winter temperatures consistently above 40°C and rainfall extremely scarce. However, the mercury can sometimes reach 50°C. This hot spring is rich in sulfur, bubbling lava and thick salt formations that await explorers. From the Pleistocene to 30,000 years ago, the Red Sea periodically flooded the Danakil Depression, then evaporated, leaving a 2km thick layer of salt and sediment on the surface. Beneath the salt is the magma reservoir of the Dallol volcano, so freshwater infiltrates from the surrounding highlands, rich in minerals and acidic gases. "The interaction between water, magma and fossil salts is the source of all the extreme chemical and physical parameters in this region," explains Barbara Cavalazzi, a geologist at the University of Bologna in Italy . However, the temperature, salinity and acidity conditions here reach levels that are lethal to most organisms that exist elsewhere on Earth, and life can survive in extremely harsh environments.