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Source: International Confederation
Situated in Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay comprises over 1,600 islands and limestone pillars, making it one of the most surreal places in the world. Geologically-savvy visitors can find an enormous array of caves, peaks and other landforms here. The bay is an extraordinary example of erosion’s effect on limestone.
Source: Beautiful World
One of the most notable features is the well-developed notches, many of which extend into caves or arches. Because of the islands’ vertical natures, few are inhabited. While some are incredibly small—only 50 to 100 km high–the bay’s larger, more developed limestone islands contain their own lakes and other water sources.
Source: Love These Pics
Surreal Places: Antelope Canyon, United States
Source: Art of HDR
The Antelope Canyon is both the most visited and most photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. One glance at the smooth, orange-red walls and it’s easy to see why. This canyon was formed by flash flooding and other subaerial processes that eroded the sandstone. As the rains continue (in 2006, a flood lasted for more than 36 hours) the canyon’s landscape slowly forges on in its topical transformation. While scientists are unsure of when people discovered the cave, local Navajos claim that the surreal canyon has been part of their cultural heritage for ages.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Source: Forum
Founded in 1949, Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest national park in southeast Europe, as well as Croatia’s largest national park. Like other surreal places, the site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. These days, more than one million visitors flock to the gorgeous park, drawn by its spectacular waterfalls, caves and lakes. The area is home to more than 100 bird species that live in the beech and fir tree-filled forest. As if the area couldn’t get any more beautiful, the entire landscape transforms during winter, when the waters freeze and turn winter white.
Source: HD Wall Cloud
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Jiuzhaigou Valley, China
Source: Photo of the Day
Found in Nanping County just north of Chengdu City, the Jiuhaigou Valley is touted as a holy mountain and watercourse by local Tibetan people. Within its 230 square mile area, Jiuzhaigou Valley contains an impressive array of fantastical forests, serene lakes and breathtaking waterfalls. The land is home to over 2,576 higher plant species.
Source Trip China Guide
Source: Places for Tour
Skaftafeli, Iceland
Source: Random Wander
The caves at the edge of Iceland’s Svinafellsjokull glacier were formed by highly pressurized glacier ice that contains few air bubbles. Without air, the cave’s ice absorbs all colors but blue, which is refracted and visible to onlookers after rain removes the ice’s surface layer. People can access the cave through a 22-foot entrance that funnels down to a limited, 4-foot opening. Since glaciers are highly active, one can hear loud cracks and groans created by the shifting ice.
Source: Imgur