10 stunning places with an alien or fairytale atmosphere (11 photos)

Our planet is so vast that exploring all its beauty is impossible. A lifetime simply wouldn't be enough.





Yet, there are some places on it that deserve special attention for their unusualness and unique, distinctive atmosphere. Some of them are created by nature itself, others by human hands. And still others combine both, deservedly considered fabulously beautiful and even mystical due to their uniqueness.

1. Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia



Ta Prohm Temple is one of the most impressive sites in the ancient temple complex of Angkor. Situated in the heart of impenetrable jungle, nature literally smothers it with its embrace. For centuries, tree roots and vines have entwined the walls, galleries, and sculptures, transforming its appearance beyond recognition. At the temple's summit, a tangle of vegetation has formed a whimsical and mesmerizing natural dome.

2. Tracy Arm Fjord, USA





If there's magic on the planet, it's definitely hidden here. Tracy Arm Fjord is one of the most magical places on Earth. Rocky shores, majestic mountains, and waterfalls cascading into the fjord's turquoise waters create a landscape of incredible depth, power, and beauty. The fjord's surroundings are bustling with life. Its waters are home to seals, sea lions, whales, and otters, completing the picture of this pristine natural kingdom.

3. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany



Tucked away in the cloud-capped peaks of the Bavarian Alps, this castle seems straight out of a fairy tale. Neuschwanstein's whimsical outline inspired Walt Disney Studios artists to create Sleeping Beauty Castle in the film, and later at Disneyland. Its romantic image, hovering between heaven and earth, evoked thoughts of enchanted swans, inspiring Pyotr Tchaikovsky to compose the immortal music of "Swan Lake."

4. Samgwangsa Temple, South Korea



Samgwangsa Temple is famous for its annual Lotus Lantern Festival, held in honor of Buddha's birthday. It is a spectacle that attracts millions of pilgrims and travelers. During the festival, hundreds of thousands of colorful lanterns are lit to dispel the darkness and symbolically lift the brightest hopes and prayers.

5. Prohodna Cave, Bulgaria



The main attraction of Bulgaria's Prohodna Cave are two enormous openings in the rock, strikingly resembling giant pupils. Locals have nicknamed them "The Eyes of God," although you can sometimes hear the more sinister name "The Eyes of Satan." These natural windows amaze tourists with their near-perfect symmetry. And on a rainy day, when drops trickle through these sockets, it seems as if tears are flowing from the stone eyes.

6. Pongour Waterfall, Vietnam



Pongour Waterfall is Vietnam's greatest and most beautiful natural wonder. During the rainy season, it presents a magnificent spectacle: a powerful stream, crashing over numerous rocky ledges, cascades into the lower lake. During the dry season, its wild nature gives way to a tranquil grace, and the waterfall disintegrates into a multitude of graceful streams flowing over the rocks, but nonetheless retains its charm.

7. Kliluk Lake, Canada



Spotted Lake Kliluk in British Columbia is a unique body of water saturated with a variety of minerals. In summer, most of the water evaporates, revealing a breathtaking scene. Strange mineral formations are scattered across the lake bed, like giant spots on the skin of an unknown animal. The color of each spot depends on the mineral composition. During the summer months, these mineral deposits harden, forming intricate patterns and natural paths.

8. Manpupuner Weathering Pillars



The Manpupuner weathering pillars, also known as the "Mansi idols," are a unique geological monument in the Komi Republic. A group of seven gigantic stone outliers, each as tall as a multi-story building, creates a mesmerizing sight. Six giants stand in a single group, while the seventh stands apart.

One of the pillars is remarkable for its shape, reminiscent of an inverted bottle, as if driven into the ground by an unknown force. Mystical images—whether human figures or animal heads—can be discerned in the contours of all the rocks. But most often, they are associated with ancient stone idols.

9. Skellig Michael Island, Ireland



The island is also known as Great Skellig. It is lost in the vast Atlantic, 15 kilometers off the Irish coast. Amidst harsh conditions, between the sixth and eighth centuries, a Christian monastery was built on this rock, a testament to the indomitable faith.

In 1996, the monastery ruins and the island's unique landscape were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning, almost otherworldly beauty of these places was so impressive that Skellig Michael served as a natural backdrop for the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode VII).

10. Ik Kil Sinkhole, Mexico



Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cenote Ik Kil is a magnificent example of a natural wonder. It was formed naturally. Groundwater eroded the limestone rock for millennia until the cave's roof collapsed, revealing a gigantic underground chamber filled with crystal-clear water.

Today, tourists can admire majestic, fortress-like walls framing the turquoise surface of the reservoir. For the convenience and safety of tourists descending to the water, a stone staircase has been carved into the rock. The walls are complemented by artificial waterfalls and observation platforms, from which one can fully appreciate the dazzling beauty of this place.