12 Weird Places Around The World

The world is a strange (but amazing) place. From a rose-coloured lake to a Japanese island ruled by cats, we've got 12 pictures to prove it.

Spotted Lake, British Columbia, Canada

The native Okanagan (Syilx) people have long treasured Canada's Spotted Lake, and it's understandable why they regard it as sacred. Little mineral pools are left behind as the lake's water evaporates in the summer, each one having a unique colour. Although it is prohibited, travellers can see the unusual lake on Highway 3 to the northwest of the sleepy town of Osoyoos.

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

A massive volcanic explosion sixty million years ago blasted forth a quantity of molten basalt, which then solidified and shrank as it cooled, leaving the visible fractures today. This World Heritage Site contains an estimated 37,000 polygon columns, which are so perfectly geometrical that local lore claims a giant built them. It's a strong contender for one of the strangest locations on the planet. Consider going on a day trip to see the sights from Belfast.

Pamukkale, Turkey

Visits to Pamukkale (Cotton Palace), a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwest Turkey, also include seeing the historic ruins of Hierapolis, the once-impressive city that was built around it. Beautiful thermal pools are created as water flows from natural springs down the white travertine terraces. In order to have a guide with you, we advise taking a small group tour.

Lake Hillier, Western Australia

The largest island in Western Australia's Recherche Archipelago is home to this extraordinary lake. The lake maintains its rich pink colour throughout the year, which some scientists attribute to the lake's high salinity, the presence of the salt-loving algae Dunaliella salina and the pink bacteria known as halobacteria. Consider taking a scenic flight (1:40h) from Esperance airport to really appreciate this spectacle.

Badab-e Surt, Iran

These stunning travertine terraces in northern Iran are an amazing natural phenomena that evolved over a long period of time. A type of limestone called travertine is created when calcium deposits in flowing water, in this case, two hot springs with various mineral compositions. The unusually high concentration of iron oxide in one of the springs is what gives the terraces their unusually reddish colour. Iran is a very colourful country overall. You may find countless colourful tiles in one of the world's largest squares in Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Esfahan.

Glass Beach, California, USA

This beach in California with sparkling sea glass is a fascinating byproduct of years of trash being deposited there. This wasn't stopped until the 1960s, by which time the ocean was overflowing with everything from bottles and cans to electrical gadgets. The beach developed into a popular tourist destination over time until the waves eventually reduced everything to colourful pebbles. Ironically, the beach is now in danger because tourists are taking the glass home with them. Not all of the beaches in the state are made of glass!

The Catacombs, Paris, France

Over six million Parisians are interred in the eerily eerie catacombs, a network of former quarry tunnels beneath Paris. The majority are nameless skulls and bones that were excavated from the congested cemeteries of the city in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The bones weren't put in the ghastly exhibits that can be seen now until the government realised its potential as a tourism attraction. It definitely qualifies as one of the oddest places on earth. Nowadays, the Catacombs are a popular tourist destination, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid lines. The catacombs are accessible from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA

On a piece of private land near Nevada's Black Rock Desert, there is an unearthly geyser. Accidentally formed in 1964 when an energy company drilled into geothermal waters, the cone is now up to five feet high and is expanding by several inches annually due to the mineral buildup. The thermophilic algae are responsible for the spectacular red and green colours. Looking for additional allure in this region of America?

Cat Island, Japan

The Japanese Cat Island is undoubtedly one of the strangest places on earth. There are just 100 people living on Tashirojima, a small island off the east coast of Japan, and they are considerably outnumbered by their animal companions. As the island produces silk and mice are a natural killer of silkworms, the cats were initially favoured. These were regarded as lucky by the local fishermen. Even a cat temple and recently constructed bungalows in the shape of cats are present on the island. It should go without saying that pets are not permitted.

Socotra Island, Yemen

This lonely island, which split off from mainland Africa more than six million years ago, resembles a sci-fi movie set. Due to Socotra's extraordinary and distinctive biodiversity, there are plants and trees here that are not found anywhere else in the world. The ancient and twisted dragon's blood tree and the bulbous bottle tree are particularly strange. Undoubtedly one of the most distinctive sites on earth to visit!

The Bermuda Triangle, North Atlantic Ocean

The infamous 500,000 square miles, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is located roughly between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico and has been cloaked in superstition and mystery for a long time. Conspiracy theories thrive on tales about anomalous magnetic readings, ships, planes, and people who have vanished here without a trace, even though the US Coastguard denies the existence of any such place.

The Tianzi mountains, China

These imposing limestone pinnacles, which can be seen in China's Hunan Province, are typically shrouded in mist and clothed in luxuriant vegetation. There are numerous routes from which to enjoy the breath-taking vistas of Tianzi (the "son of heaven"), and a cable car that travels as far as Huangshi town. They naturally served as the model for the soaring mountains in the hit film Avatar. 

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