7 Places Where Optical Illusion Reigns (8 photos)

Can the eyes deceive?





Yes, if we are talking about these amazing places. Some of them have attracted curious onlookers for centuries, trying to unravel the nature of these amazing phenomena. From natural mirages to ingenious structures created for the sake of aesthetics, our world is full of places that are not what they seem.

1. Yangzhou Zhonghui, China



Book lovers won’t believe their eyes when they step into this Yangzhou library store. The mirrored floor and curved shelves create the illusion of an endless tunnel of books.

The zigzag ceiling mimics the meandering Yangtze River, and its reflection in the mirrored floor draws visitors deeper into this magical space. The architect was inspired by the connection between the city’s arched bridges and the river, which have shaped local culture and trade for centuries.

2. "Magnetic Hill", Australia





Magnetic hills around the world baffle tourists: here, cars, contrary to the laws of physics, roll up the slope. One such phenomenon is a hill in the city of Beijing (Australia), where the illusion is enhanced by a giant magnet installed at the top.

Legend has it that if you put your car in neutral, the magnet will literally pull it up the hill. In fact, it's all about optical illusion: the surrounding landscape distorts perception, and a gentle descent seems like an ascent.

For added effect, there is even a sign on the road: “Plastic and aluminum cars will roll down, and steel ones will go up.” There is only one way to check this: come and try it yourself.

4. “Underwater Waterfall”, Mauritius



About 8 million years ago, underwater volcanoes formed the Mascarene Islands, an archipelago east of Madagascar. Sand deposits in this geologically active region are constantly shifting, and one day the islands will disappear again into the waters of the Indian Ocean.

The largest of them, Reunion Island, is known for one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. And off the coast of Mauritius (the second largest island) you can see an amazing illusion - an underwater waterfall.

A horseshoe-shaped slope 4,000 meters deep creates the impression that powerful streams of water are plunging into the abyss. In fact, this is just sand that sea currents carry from the shallows into the ocean depths.

4. "Upside Down House", Germany



This blue Cape Cod-style house on the island of Usedom looks like a typical seaside home: benches in the garden, a gravel path, a wheelbarrow and a bicycle at the entrance. But there is one important detail - it is upside down.

Built in 2008, this unusual attraction offers visitors a new perspective on life. Literally. Entering through the attic (which is now downstairs), guests find themselves in a fully furnished house where they walk on the ceiling and the furniture “hangs” overhead.

To enhance the effect, the building is slightly tilted, so when people exit back into the normal world, they feel a little dizzy for a few minutes.

5. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia



The Salar de Uyuni is a natural wonder at any time of year. But from November to April, during the rainy season, it turns into a hypnotizing optical illusion.

The surface area of ​​17,700 km² (the largest in the world) is covered with a thin layer of water, turning into a giant mirror reflecting the sky. You can move around this surreal mirror world by boat or car. It feels like you are floating between heaven and earth.

The mystical atmosphere is complemented by three species of flamingos, which breed in November, and giant cacti growing up to 12 meters.

6. "Oregon Vortex", USA



In the very heart of the "golden land" of the USA, an anomaly is lurking, causing a new gold rush. This time among lovers of the paranormal.

This zone, controlled by the Cooper family, is allegedly under the influence of a spherical force field - a powerful magnetic vortex that makes balls roll uphill, brooms stand upright, and people magically change in height before the eyes of amazed spectators.

The main attraction is the House of Secrets, a former mining company office that has slid down the hillside. Its noticeable tilt adds to the already deceptive optics of the place.

Although science explains these phenomena by optical illusions and terrain features, the anomaly's mystical reputation only grows stronger.

7. Rakotzbrücke (Devil's Bridge), Germany



With the right angle and good lighting, the Devil's Bridge turns into a mystical portal: its reflection in the water closes in a perfect stone circle, as if opening a door to another world.

Medieval legends attributed such "devil's bridges" to Satan himself. He allegedly built them in exchange for the soul of the first traveler who dared to cross. Rakotzbrücke, built in 1860 by order of a local knight, continues this tradition. True, today it is forbidden to walk on it. But not because of fear of a curse, but simply to preserve the fragile ancient masonry.