Top 10 Mysterious Places to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

A “bucket list” refers to a list of things and places that people want to do and see before they die. The term, derived from the slang word “bucket,” meaning to kick a bucket, which refers to dying, is used to describe the list. Many people include famous travel destinations and attractions they dream of visiting on their bucket list. Let’s look at mysterious attractions many people have on their bucket lists.

Antelope Canyon in the United States

Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona, USA, about 160 km north of the Grand Canyon. It is a canyon formed by sudden showers and flowing rapids. Taking a walking tour on the ground or climbing down a ladder to explore the narrow gaps below the canyon is possible. You can enjoy the mysterious scenery of the cave walls that change colors as the light from the sandstone canyon reflects and creates various colors.

Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska

The Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska are a 19 km long glacier in the Mendenhall Valley. It is about 19 km away from the city of Juneau in southeastern Alaska. Inside the glacier, there are stunning blue ice caves. You can only reach the ice’s edge by kayaking; you must climb the glacier to see another view. Inside the partially empty glacier, you can witness the magical sight of water flowing from the rocks to the bottom under the bright blue ice ceiling.

Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye, Gansu, China

Zhangye in China is a place where you can enjoy snow-covered mountains and expansive skies. It is also famous for its surreal atmosphere. Over the course of 24 million years, different colors of sandstone and minerals have formed a colorful landscape. This phenomenon occurs as the minerals in the sandstone produce different colors. You can experience this in the Danxia Landform Geological Park in Zhangye, Gansu Province, China.

Fly Geyser in Nevada, USA

The Fly Geyser in the United States is named after the “erupting hot springs.” It is located in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. A geyser is a phenomenon where hot water or steam erupts deep underground and meets with groundwater at average temperatures. Fly Geyser sprays the surrounding 74-acre area with intermittent geysers that reach a height of about 5 feet. It was accidentally discovered during geothermal energy exploration in 1964.

Shiratani Unsui Gorge in Japan

The Shiratani Unsui Gorge in Japan is a forest that inspired the Studio Ghibli animation film Princess Mononoke in 1997. It is a place where you can walk through the Yakushima Forest, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is also designated as a “precious moss forest in Japan” by the Society of Moss and Lichen Studies. You can enjoy the scenery where everything, including rocks and trees, is covered in green moss. There are three different courses ranging from 1 to 4 hours for tourists to choose from.

Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam

Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam is a famous tourist destination with over 150 individual caves, dense underground jungles, and several underground rivers. It is the largest cave in the world, estimated to have formed between 2 million and 5 million years ago. The cave is about 492 feet wide, over 656 feet high, and stretches 6 miles. The cave is so vast that it is equivalent to 15,000 Olympic swimming pools, showcasing an unimaginable scale.

Lake Hillier in Australia

Australia is home to the stunning Lake Hillier, where contrasting shades of pink, blue, and green create a breathtaking view. Located on Middle Island, one of the most picturesque landscapes in South Australia, Lake Hillier is known for having the deepest pink color among all the pink lakes in Australia due to its high salt concentration. A picturesque road divides the pink Lake Hillier and the blue sea. If you continue driving along the road, you will reach Cape Le Grand, another beautiful destination.

Lofoten Islands in Norway

In Norway, you can visit the Lofoten Islands, often called the “Alps of the Arctic” because of their towering fjords rising from the sea-like mountains. This archipelago consists of five main islands and numerous small islands, stretching about 110 miles and located approximately 932 miles away from Oslo, the capital of Norway. Considered one of the most beautiful islands in Northern Europe, it boasts sharp rocky mountains, winding fjord coastlines, and hundreds of islands scattered in the sea, creating a stunning landscape.

Hill Country in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a place where a lot of time is needed to explore due to its large area. The best way to travel here is by taking a leisurely train ride to enjoy the mild weather and picturesque landscapes. One of the places you can visit on a train journey is Hill Country, known for being the birthplace of world-famous tea brands such as Dilmah, Lipton, and Mlesna. You can enjoy delicious tea, a relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful scenery through a trip to Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

By. Choi Deok Soo (press@daily.co.kr)