10 unique corners of our planet: reality or natural wonder?
Table of contents
- 102-year-old floating forest, Australia
- The last house on Holland Island, USA
- Underwater city in Shicheng, China
- Abandoned City Hall subway station in New York, USA
- Hotel Salto, Colombia
- Abandoned military hospital in Belitz, Germany
- Hashima Island, Japan
- Abandoned railway station, Abkhazia, Georgia
- New Bedford Orpheum Theater, USA
- Fishing village on Gouqi Island, China
Nature never spares colors when creating unique corners of our planet. Its beauty sometimes seems supernatural and surreal, so it can definitely capture your imagination. Learn more about the top 10 most unusual places in the world
Nature has prevailed over former human settlements in many places on the planet. Some are so unusual that it's hard to believe they exist. Looking at these photos, it's hard to imagine that everything you see was created by nature and that these places are on our planet.
We offer you to see for yourself by planning a trip to one of the incredible places included in our rating.
102-year-old floating forest, Australia
The 102-year-old floating forest in Australia is a real natural wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world. This unique forest is on the sunken ship SS Ayrfield, which rests in Sydney's Homebush Bays. This ship once served to transport coal during World War II and has now turned into a unique attraction.
Later, the bay became a kind of floating cemetery for decommissioned ships. The ships were overgrown with forest and took on a mystical appearance. Abandoned in 1972, the SS Ayrfield became home to a dense forest that sprouted on its deck, creating an unusual landscape where trees grow directly from the metal structure. The floating forest has become a symbol of the power of nature overcoming time and technology, and has become a must-see destination.
The last house on Holland Island, USA
The Last House on Holland Island in the United States is a fascinating historical landmark that attracts travelers with its mystery and unique location. This house is the personification of the battle between nature and man. Located in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, this house is the last vestige of the once thriving fishing community that existed here in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dutch Island was once home to hundreds of residents, but steady sea level rise and erosion gradually destroyed most of the land. Until 2010, the last house remained the only reminder of the former life on the island. Today, it stands on fragile ground, surrounded by waters, a reminder of past grandeur and the relentless influence of nature.
Visitors can explore this atmospheric island by boat, enjoying the scenery and contemplating history frozen in time. This trip is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of the region and see how nature is gradually reclaiming the land that once belonged to people.
Underwater city in Shicheng, China
The Shicheng Underwater City is located in China's Qiandaohu Lake and is a fascinating historical site that attracts researchers and divers from all over the world. Founded over 1300 years ago, the city was submerged after the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in 1959.
Today, Shicheng lies at a depth of 26-40 meters, showing tourists perfectly preserved architectural monuments, arches, and statues. The water depths have created unique conditions for the preservation of the city, turning it into a real-time capsule. The underwater city in Shicheng is a unique opportunity to discover the ancient history of China by plunging into the depths of the past.
Abandoned City Hall subway station in New York, USA
The abandoned City Hall subway station in New York City is a hidden gem that fascinates with its history and architecture. Opened in 1904 as part of the city's first subway line, the station impressed with its luxurious interiors. Arched vaults decorated with tiles and mosaics, luxurious chandeliers and stained glass windows created an atmosphere of elegance and grandeur.
However, due to the short length of the platform and its inadequacy for the new longer trains, the station was closed in 1945. Since then, it has remained inaccessible to passengers, but its beauty and historical value have not disappeared. Today, history buffs can only see this fascinating landmark through special tours organized by the New York Transportation Museum.
Hotel Salto, Colombia
The Salto Hotel is located in Colombia and is a mysterious and fascinating historical landmark that attracts tourists with its sad charm. Built in 1923 near the Tequendama Falls, this luxury hotel became popular with wealthy guests who came to enjoy the incredible views and fresh air. The architecture of the hotel is striking in its elegance and grandeur, complementing the picturesque landscapes around it.
However, in the 1940s, the Hotel Salto was abandoned due to economic difficulties and pollution of the Bogota River, which led to its decline. Left to its fate, it gained notoriety as a place where, according to legend, mystical events and even ghosts took place.
Today, Hotel Salto has been transformed into a museum where visitors can immerse themselves in its rich history and see the incredible panoramas of Tekendama Falls. The restored museum preserves the atmosphere of the past, allowing guests to experience the grandeur of the former hotel.
Abandoned military hospital in Belitz, Germany
The abandoned military hospital in Belitz is known as the Beelitz-Heilstätten. It is one of the most famous abandoned buildings in the world. Built in the late nineteenth century, it served as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients and was used as a military hospital during the First and Second World Wars.
It is famous for the fact that Adolf Hitler was treated here after being wounded in 1916. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the hospital fell into disrepair and was abandoned. Today, it attracts tourists and photographers with its atmospheric decay, becoming a real magnet for history and mysticism lovers.
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Hashima Island, Japan
Hashima Island, also known as "Ship Island" or "Gunkanjima", is located off the coast of Nagasaki in Japan. Once a thriving coal mining town, the island is now one of the most famous abandoned places in the world.
Opened for coal mining in 1887, Hashima quickly became a densely populated industrial center, home to thousands of workers and their families. However, after the mine was closed in 1974, the island was deserted and all its buildings remained uninhabited.
Today, Hasima attracts tourists with its mysterious and eerie appearance. The remains of multi-storey buildings, schools, hospitals and shops create a unique atmosphere of abandonment, which is superimposed on the natural beauty of the island. Hasima has become so popular that it even appeared in the James Bond movie 007: Skyfall.
Abandoned railway station, Abkhazia, Georgia
This station in Georgia was once an important transportation hub connecting the region with other parts of the Soviet Union. The station was built in the 1940s and impressed with its grandeur: marble floors, huge waiting rooms, luxurious chandeliers and rich decors.
However, over time and as a result of political conflicts, the station fell into disrepair. After the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict in the early 1990s, transportation was suspended and the station was left deserted. Today, this object attracts the attention of tourists and photographers with its mystery and atmosphere of the past.
The Sukhumi railway station impresses with its combination of nature and architecture. The abandoned platforms overgrown with grass and the ruins of an old building create the feeling that time has stopped. A visit to this place allows you to feel the spirit of the past and understand the complex history of the region.
New Bedford Orpheum Theater, USA
The New Bedford Orpheum Theater in the United States is a real architectural gem immersed in the past. Opened in 1912, this theater quickly became the cultural center of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Its neoclassical design and majestic interiors impressed visitors, offering them not only movies, but also theater performances, concerts, and various events.
However, after its closure in 1959, the theater gradually fell into disrepair. The high ceilings, luxurious chandeliers, and decorative elements that once shone have now become a testament to time, leaving behind an atmosphere of nostalgia. Despite its neglect, the Orpheum retains its grandeur and charm, attracting researchers and antiquity lovers.
Interestingly, part of the building was used as a supermarket, which adds a special eclecticism to the place. This place is filled with stories that are waiting to be revived. Tourists and photographers often visit the Orpheum to immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere and see one of the oldest theaters in America.
Fishing village on Gouqi Island, China
The fishing village on Gouqi Island is an impressive example of how nature can reclaim areas once occupied by humans. This abandoned settlement attracts tourists with its mysterious beauty: buildings completely covered with dense green vegetation create the impression of a fairy-tale locale.