5 most unbelievable places on Earth – from China’s Rainbow Mountains to Turkmenistan’s Gates of Hell

Jun 21 , 2020

Somewhere over the rainbow mountains … one of the most spectacular sights on Earth. Photo: @magnificent_places_to_go/Instagram

Nevada’s Fly Geyser, Australia’s Lake Hillier, the underwater waterfall of Mauritius … these lesser-known natural wonders need to be seen to believed

The world is full of unbelievable places. Whether natural or man-made, these breathtaking destinations will surely make you do a double take. From an underwater waterfall to the gates of hell, here are five of the most magical wonders on Earth.

Underwater waterfall, Mauritius

Waterfalls are already almost always spectacular, but an underwater waterfall – how does that even make sense? Diving into a mesmerising optical illusion, the Mauritian underwater waterfall is one that cannot be missed. The unbelievable phenomenon is actually sand, instead of a flowing region of water, pushed over by the ocean currents of the high coastal shelf, which then plunge into the deep sea abyss. Get on a helicopter or a plane to experience this next-level visual effect.

Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA

A result of a man-made wonder, the Fly Geyser was accidentally formed when a geothermal company drilled a well and clashed with a geothermal boiler in 1964. Looking like an alien hub, the thermophilic algae, which flourish in humid and hot environments, gives enchanting hues of red and green to the mound. So if you are wondering why this attraction is not flooding on your Instagram feed, it is because it was restricted to public access until two years ago. In 2016 the organisation behind Burning Man bought the private land making it accessible (for a price) to the public and group tours in 2018.

The “Gates of Hell”, Turkmenistan