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From ancient temples carved in stone to natural phenomenons that defy imagination, our planet is full of breathtaking treasures waiting to be discovered. Join us as we count down the natural and man-made sites around the world that deserve more recognition! Our list includes spectacular locations from every continent that will instantly make you want to update your travel bucket list.
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00:00The water from above is coming down and the water here is pushing it back into the inside.
00:04It's a significant place for Indigenous Australians.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the natural and human-made sites around the world that deserve more admiration.
00:15The site is ancient. The temple's early history is hazy.
00:21Number 30. The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia.
00:24The site of the 11 churches covers about 62 acres. It's divided by a stream King Lalibela christened the River Jordan.
00:34Hidden deep within the Ethiopian highlands lies a truly wondrous site, 11 churches carved entirely out of stone.
00:40It's believed that they were constructed around the turn of the 13th century to emulate the city of Jerusalem.
00:46Over the course of 24 years, they were built from top to bottom using a reductive process,
00:51where they chipped away at the stone until it took the shape they wanted.
00:54The surrounding rock was cut away to leave a 12-meter by 12-meter cross.
01:00It is formed out of a single rock without a single seam.
01:06The interior was also hollowed out from rock.
01:09This makes it a sheer marvel of ancient construction, giving us valuable insight into their methods.
01:14The churches are home to a variety of unique artifacts, from King Lalibela's tomb to spectacular artwork.
01:20Now, it serves as an important site for those who wish to pray and those who simply want to know more about the religion's rich history.
01:27When you approach from a distance, you might think Pamukkale is a snowy hill or even a glacier.
01:50But look closer, and you will notice a true wonder of Mother Nature.
01:55We can guarantee that as soon as you see this site, you will be booking your tickets to visit it yourself.
02:00Pamukkale is a genuinely breathtaking site, with blinding white travertine terraces and pools of water so blue they look unreal.
02:07Both are formed from a hot spring running down the top of the mass, creating a picturesque landscape made for a greeting card.
02:14The accompanying town, Heropolis, utilized the area as a hot spring dating as far back as 200 BCE.
02:20With only ruins remaining, Pamukkale is the largest remaining proof of the city's prominence.
02:25Should you travel there yourself, you can enjoy any one of the 17 springs, along with a view that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
02:32This is why Heropolis became so famous.
02:36Pamukkale, which means cotton castle in Turkish, is exactly that.
02:42It is on a cliff that's 200 meters high.
02:45Number 28.
02:46Araspak-Tiplice rock town, Czech Republic
02:48Don't be fooled by the name.
02:50This is unlike any town you've ever seen in your life.
02:54Other than a human-made gate and trails, the Araspak-Tiplice is known for having formed naturally.
02:59The various rock faces take on the form and function of modern-day architecture, creating a maze-like structure complete with pillars and large crevices.
03:07I thought that there were only a few dirty cracks with almost no protection, and I didn't know that it is actually one of the biggest and the best climbing areas I've ever been to.
03:18For most of its existence, it was used as a way for people to flee from invaders, and was virtually unknown.
03:23It wasn't until a forest fire occurred in 1824 that it revealed itself to the surrounding populations.
03:30Should you go there yourself, you can wander down the twisting paths of the trail and see all the gorgeous landscape has to offer.
03:37Number 27.
03:38Shilin, China
03:39Bluish-gray rocky peaks tower high above the ground, and the mystery of their origins is hidden right inside them.
03:47When wandering through a forest, one usually finds themselves expecting lush trees or curious wildlife, rather than a vast site of limestone protruding high into the sky.
03:56Thought to be nearly 300 million years old, Shilin originally started out as a small ocean.
04:01Over time, sandstone and limestone deposits, combined with the wind and the constant flowing water, led to the pillars being formed into the magnificent structure they are today.
04:10The area has been divided up into several different zones for one to explore, with dozens of various species of plants, caves, an underground river, and plenty of other naturally formed wonders that will make you want to extend your stay as long as possible.
04:25Number 26.
04:26The Tunnel of Love
04:27Ukraine
04:27Imagine going for a walk with the person you love and an endless view of breathtaking foliage.
04:32That is exactly the experience you'd get with the ultimate romantic destination, Ukraine's Tunnel of Love.
04:38A train rolls through daily, maintaining an archway of trees that seemingly enclose the walker in another dimension.
04:44It originally began as a secret method of military transportation during the Cold War, and afterwards remained an Eastern European secret.
04:51It wasn't until the site was posted online that the world at large learned about it, and since then, it's served as the perfect getaway to enjoy during all four seasons.
04:59It's even believed that it grants a wish to visitors, but you'll have to go there and try it for yourself.
05:05Number 25.
05:05The Sanctuary of Truth
05:07Thailand
05:08There are some sites that are so beautiful they'll take your breath away in an instant.
05:12That is exactly the case for the Sanctuary of Truth, a house of prayer built entirely out of various types of wood.
05:19Despite its seeming ancient, construction originally began in the 1980s and is still ongoing today.
05:25The structure is covered in engravings of various religious figures, elements, and planets, all coming together to create one celebration of Thai culture.
05:33It's believed that once the temple is finished, it will last for six centuries before needing to be repaired.
05:38By then, a structure from our time will be considered as ancient as those as we've discovered, ensuring that the historical cycle will continue.
05:46Number 24.
06:47Mexico
06:48This marks the first site on our list that is unfortunately impossible to visit.
06:58Despite the siren call emitted by Mexico's cave of the crystals awe-inspiring interior, it is extremely dangerous.
07:04Within the chamber like countless crystals, some of which reach over three feet long.
07:09They formed over a period of at least 500,000 years thanks to water being heated by a chamber of magma.
07:15It's a fascinating location.
07:19This is something you would think would only exist in the world of science fiction and fantasy.
07:26Some studies have been conducted with the help of special suits designed to withstand the intense temperatures within.
07:31The intense humidity makes the 100-plus degree weather feel even worse, making it impossible to spend more than 10 minutes inside.
07:39While it can only be admired from afar, it is by far one of the most unique sights found around the globe.
07:45You can see through them, it's so translucent.
07:48And there are different types.
07:49You can see these ones that are like roses building off and then these columns, these pallets.
07:55Number 22.
07:56Caño Cristales, Colombia
07:58It's hard to believe such a site wasn't discovered until 1969.
08:03Most of the year, the Caño Cristales runs clear like most other bodies of water.
08:07In the late summer and autumn, something truly magical occurs.
08:10The various plants beneath the surface finally get enough sunlight to reproduce,
08:14causing the current to look multicolored.
08:16It creates a beautiful natural gradient complete with vibrant pink and purple, bright green, yellow, and more.
08:22It is the definition of picturesque and is so gorgeous that it's hard to believe it remained a secret for so long.
08:28Despite its undeniable beauty, freedom fighters near the site prevented tourists from visiting until 2009.
08:34Though it can now be appreciated to the fullest extent, it still doesn't get the attention it deserves.
08:39Number 21.
08:40The Allura Caves, India
08:42Here there are over 30 cave temples.
08:46All of them are intricately carved out of solid rock into the side of a mountain.
08:52It is a whole complex of cloisters and walkways and auxiliary shrines.
08:58If you're looking for an architectural, historical, and religious feat, then there's no need to search any further.
09:04The Allura Caves are the perfect time capsule capturing some of the earliest days of Indian religious freedom and rock-cut construction.
09:11There are different groups of caves dedicated to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism,
09:16each complete with tributes to their gods, ancient mythology, and temples.
09:20There are several art pieces throughout the system dedicated to various deities, some of which date back to 600 CE.
09:26You may even get a chance to see ancient engravings created by Rashtrakuta Dantidurga and other pious individuals.
09:32It is so large and in-depth that it's impossible to see in just one day, making it the perfect spot for a repeat trip.
09:39This Kailasha temple is the largest one here.
09:42The temple is over 30 meters high.
09:44It represents the palace of a god who was believed to reside on Kailasha mountain in the Himalayas.
09:50Number 20.
09:51Cappadocia, Turkey
09:53The Valle de la Luna in Chile deserves a mention here for its extraordinary geologic formations.
09:58But we can't help but be enchanted by the characteristic fairy chimneys of this historical region.
10:04This intricately sculpted landscape has captivated travelers for millennia.
10:08Stacked with geological marvels and fascinating structures,
10:12Cappadocia contains ancient churches, monasteries, and dwellings carved into rocks.
10:17Hot air balloons dot the sky as tourists explore the stunning area from above.
10:21Every year, Voral takes almost 2,000 tourists up to the skies,
10:27each hoping to view this fantastical landscape from a unique aerial perspective.
10:34But there's even more to explore beneath the surface.
10:36That includes Derinkuyu, an underground city large enough to have housed 20,000 people.
10:42This place could warrant a spot on the list on its own, but the whole region is remarkable.
10:47Number 19.
10:48The Banaue Rice Terraces, the Philippines
10:50While they've been placed on an unofficial long list for the 8th Wonder of the World,
10:55the Banaue Rice Terraces are not as widely known as many other world marvels.
10:59For 2,000 years, the mountains of Ifugao province have been cultivated with terraced rice fields
11:06that stretch thousands of feet high.
11:08The remarkable terrain is 2,000 years in the making,
11:11with generations of Ifugao people tending to the intricately carved mountainside terraces.
11:16Although it's been disputed exactly when these irrigated rice terraces were created,
11:21it's generally thought that they were largely made by human hands and without much equipment.
11:25The site is popular among tourists,
11:27but we're hoping to cultivate some additional appreciation by adding it to our list.
11:32If you take a guided hiking tour,
11:34make sure to pack a picnic for an outstanding view of this remarkable landscape.
11:39Number 18.
11:40Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
11:42This 8th or 9th century Buddhist temple is the largest in the world.
11:47The base is a 1,200 square meter terrace topped with six tiers.
11:53The walls are adorned with numerous Buddha reliefs.
11:56Located in Indonesia, the magnificent structure was a monument of the Silendra dynasty,
12:01which ruled the area for around five centuries.
12:04In the upper terraces of the temple,
12:06bell-shaped structures called stupas contain Buddhas and provide nice spaces for meditation.
12:10The exact purpose of its construction is not clear.
12:15One theory is that the complex represents Buddhist cosmology.
12:20It's a mandala.
12:21With a panoramic view of the trees down below,
12:23it is an atmosphere like no other.
12:26And while the temple is a Buddhist pilgrimage site
12:28and popular tourist attraction within Indonesia,
12:31not everyone in other parts of the world is aware of this marvel.
12:35Number 17.
12:36Kuang Si Falls, Laos
12:38There's something inexplicably magical about a waterfall,
12:41both in its sound and sight.
12:43Very few waterfalls can measure up to the beauty of Kuang Si Falls in Laos.
12:47It features three tiers, with the main fall boasting a 200-foot drop.
12:52What lies below is arguably just as mesmerizing.
12:55Stunning, shallow turquoise pools connected by cascades,
12:58allowing water to flow from one pool to the next.
13:01Also worthy of mention here are a couple of other underrated and enchanting falls,
13:05like the Ferry Pools in Scotland and Kravica Waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
13:11Number 16.
13:12Lushan Giant Buddha, China
13:14Nestled within a cliff face at the junction of the Min and Dadu Rivers in the Sichuan province
13:18is a massive, eye-catching Buddha.
13:20This is the giant Buddha of Lushan.
13:24The feet are so large that 100 people could stand on top.
13:28The statue was expertly crafted during the Tang Dynasty
13:31and is located within the Mount Umei scenic area.
13:34Crucial to the history of Buddhism,
13:36the Sichuan province is also home to the first Buddhist temple in China.
13:40The towering Lushan Giant Buddha is actually the tallest Buddha sculpture in the world at 233 feet.
13:46Whether you admire it from the stairs, from a boat, or just in pictures,
13:50the Lushan Giant Buddha is striking.
13:52Local people decided to make a large Buddha here to thank him for trading success and to grant safe passage.
13:59Number 15.
14:00Leptis Magna, Libya
14:02Remnants from the ancient city of Leptis have survived for thousands of years.
14:07Leptis Magna is on the Mediterranean coast of Libya.
14:10It's one of the largest ancient Roman sites in Africa.
14:13Founded in the 7th century BCE,
14:16the city became an important part of the Roman Empire
14:18before being abandoned in the 7th century CE.
14:21However, many of its structures, buried under sand dunes for centuries,
14:26were unearthed in the 1920s.
14:28Among the recovered elements of the settlement are the ruins of an ancient amphitheater and marketplace.
14:33The Tetrapylon Arch is truly extraordinary.
14:36Also visible is the Severan Basilica, with its elaborate carvings and columns.
14:41As far as taking a stroll through history goes,
14:44Leptis Magna is a sight to behold.
14:46Number 14.
14:47Tikal, Guatemala
14:48Imagine roaming through a rainforest in Guatemala on a gorgeous sunny day.
14:53And then boom!
14:54There it is!
14:55A 154-foot-high structure with a steep staircase.
14:59Tikal was one of the largest ancient cities of the Mayan civilization.
15:04The city thrived for nearly 1,000 years.
15:08But it was suddenly abandoned during the 10th century.
15:12The structure is known as Tikal Temple I,
15:15and it's one of the major components of a pre-Columbian Maya civilization.
15:19The city of Tikal is home to a collection of astonishing structures in its main plaza,
15:24now part of Tikal National Park.
15:26Researchers believe that Tikal was inhabited as early as the 6th century BCE.
15:30It is believed that at one period, Tikal had up to 60,000 residents.
15:36In addition to the surviving architecture,
15:38the artistic remains at the site make for an astonishing trip back in time.
15:43Number 13.
15:44The Great Pyramid of Cholula
15:45Mexico
15:46You may have heard of Chichen Itza,
15:48which was part of the new Seven Wonders of the World campaign.
15:51However, it's not the only remarkable archaeological site in Mexico.
15:55The Great Pyramid of Cholula is actually the largest pyramid by volume
15:59known to exist in the entire world.
16:02Built over 2,000 years ago,
16:04the site boasts as the largest space pyramid in the world
16:07and holds century-old secrets from the first inhabitants of this land
16:10to the conquering Spaniards.
16:12Believed to be constructed as a temple to the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl,
16:16its history dates back to around 200 BCE.
16:19The pyramid has not been fully excavated
16:22because a historically significant church sits atop the temple.
16:26As soon as Jose and I walked in through the church doors into this church,
16:30there's so much gold everywhere and so much detail,
16:33and it's just beyond beautiful.
16:36It's believed that the structure accounts for just a portion
16:39of the entire archaeological site in which it resides.
16:42Number 12.
16:43Salar de Uyuni
16:44Bolivia
16:44This is a wonder 40,000 years in the making.
16:48Prehistoric lakes evaporated,
16:50leaving polygonal formations of salt and other minerals in expansive flat areas.
16:55The world's largest example of the salt flat phenomenon is located in Bolivia.
16:59Salar de Uyuni covers approximately 4,086 square miles.
17:04And while you might typically try to avoid bad weather when going on a trip,
17:08the rainy season is actually the best time to visit the Uyuni salt flats.
17:11That's when you can observe an unparalleled wonder,
17:14the largest natural mirror on Earth, right beneath your feet.
17:18Number 11.
17:19Singhi de Bemaraja
17:20Madagascar
17:22There's something unusual yet beautiful about the shape,
17:25size, and abundance of limestone located at the Singhi de Bemaraja National Park in Madagascar.
17:30Singhi de Bemaraja is on the western side of the island.
17:34The pinnacle formations cover 1,520 square kilometers.
17:39The word Singhi can mean where one cannot walk barefoot,
17:42a fitting name given the park's sharp, needle-like limestone pinnacles that form a maze-like landscape.
17:48While you wouldn't want to forget your shoes,
17:50the region is an ideal place to take in one of nature's many marvels.
17:54The steep slopes are home to a variety of rare species.
17:57The Sivakas survive within an intricate balance between man and nature.
18:02Singhi de Bemaraja offers spectacular views and a true sense of awe.
18:08Number 10.
18:09Chartres Cathedral
18:10France
18:10A definite high point of French Gothic art and architecture,
18:14Chartres Cathedral is often overlooked,
18:17usually in favor of Paris' more immediately famous Notre Dame.
18:20However, Chartres is an almost perfectly preserved example of its era.
18:24The front facade is located on the west wing.
18:28The west is where the sun sets and represents the apocalypse,
18:33the last judgment.
18:35It boasts pristine stained glass, two complementary spires on its west end,
18:39and general architectural features that are largely unchanged since the early 13th century.
18:44It is hoped that this extraordinary heritage will be protected long into the future.
18:50It genuinely is the genuine article.
18:52Speaking of genuine articles, Chartres also houses the Sancta Camisa relic,
18:57which legend has it was clothing worn by the Virgin Mary when Christ was born.
19:02Number 9.
19:03Angkor Wat
19:04Cambodia
19:04Often cited as the most significant place never to have received wonder of the world classification,
19:10Angkor Wat is one of our planet's largest religious monuments.
19:13The maps show the area of Angkor was the size of modern-day Los Angeles.
19:19It's also enormously popular, attracting more than 2 million tourists every year.
19:24A temple complex rather than one lone structure.
19:27It was built in the 12th century as a place for Hindu worship.
19:31By the end of the century, it was converted to Buddhist uses.
19:34Angkor and Angkor Wat, it's part of the soul of Cambodia.
19:40It's buried in our heart as the symbol of our people.
19:44One of the first Western visitors to Angkor Wat, Antonio da Maddalena, wrote,
19:49quote,
19:49It is like no other building in the world.
19:52And he was right.
19:53Number 8.
19:54The Ajanta Caves
19:55India
19:56Considered one of the earliest examples of Buddhist art and architecture anywhere in the world,
20:01the Ajanta Caves deserve to be a big deal.
20:03This temple cave complex describes the rise and fall of Buddhist art in India.
20:08By most estimates, many of the carvings date back as early as the 2nd century BC.
20:13The caves are situated within dense jungle and were rediscovered in 1819 largely by accident
20:19by a British officer while on a hunt.
20:21Described by the Archaeological Survey of India as, quote,
20:24The finest surviving examples of Indian art,
20:27the cave's insides offer ancient depictions of Buddhist teachings and figures of the Buddha himself.
20:32Among all the paintings at Ajanta, this bodhisattva figure holding a lotus flower is considered to be the finest.
20:41Number 7.
20:42The Sigiriya Rock Fortress
20:43Sri Lanka
20:44Also known as the Lion Rock of Sri Lanka,
20:47Sigiriya is the country's most visited historic site and a truly unique attraction.
20:52When King Kashyapa seized the throne, he made Sigiriya his new capital and fortress.
20:57The giant rock formation was decorated with distinctive artwork as well as a gateway adorned with a lion.
21:03Thus the name Lion Rock.
21:04After Kashyapa's death in 495 CE, the site became a Buddhist monastery
21:09and fulfilled this function until the 14th century.
21:13And now, it is an archaeological melting pot,
21:16a geological peculiarity that offers a once-in-a-lifetime panoramic view.
21:21Number 6.
21:22Wave Rock
21:22Australia
21:23Name a world-famous rock located in Australia.
21:26The 15-meter-high, uniquely-shaped monolith attracts visitors from across the globe.
21:30Most would only ever have one answer.
21:33Ayers Rock, otherwise known as Uluru.
21:35However, if you ever are down under, you could head to Perth, take a three- or four-hour tour to Haydn,
21:41and have yourself a geological experience that's a little less mainstream.
21:44The rainwater brings out the orange in the rock, but sections where the water is diverted turn dark.
21:50Over millennia, water has played a part in forming and coloring the rock.
21:54This rock, so named for obvious appearance-related reasons, is some 2.7 billion years in the making.
22:01Contrary to logical belief, the best waves in Australia aren't always found on the coast.
22:06Number 5.
22:07The Ancient City of Pagan
22:09Myanmar
22:09The capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from the 9th to the 13th centuries.
22:14At its height, Pagan was home to over 10,000 religious temples.
22:17Now those numbers have dwindled, but still there remain an unprecedented 2,200-plus monuments,
22:23pagodas, temples, and buildings within the city, scattered across 40 square miles.
22:29It was once an international center for alchemy, astrology, philosophy, and medicine.
22:34And though it no longer thrives as in yesteryear, it remains one of the most magical places on Earth.
22:40Number 4.
22:40The Meteora Suspended Rock Monasteries
22:43Greece
22:43With a name meaning suspended in air, our next underappreciated place is incredible now,
22:50but was even more so when first created.
22:52The Meteora Complex is a series of monasteries carved into and built atop of unique sandstone
22:57pillars, rising out of the trees.
23:00Originally inhabited in the 9th century by religious recluses and monks, the buildings
23:04were deliberately difficult to access, via a frighteningly fragile rope and net pulley
23:09system.
23:10There are carved staircases now, but the original inhabitants were real hardcore hermits.
23:15Number 3.
23:16The White Temple
23:17A.k.a.
23:18Watrangkun
23:19Thailand
23:19Today's most modern wonder, the White Temple
23:22The White Temple is a work in progress, not expected to be fully completed until 2070.
23:27Privately owned and constructed by Thai artist Chalam Chai Khosipipat, it's situated in Thailand's
23:32Chiang Rai province and, after falling into disrepair and being rebuilt by the artist, opened
23:37in 1997.
23:39The temple is both a conventional place of Buddhist worship and an unconventional house for modern
23:44art and ideas.
23:44The Ubosat is the central building, inside of which are murals dedicated not to tradition,
23:50but to contemporary events and idols.
23:52Michael Jackson features here, as does Freddy Krueger.
23:56There are images of the oil industry and of terrorism, because one day, this will all be
24:01ancient history too.
24:03Number 2.
24:03The Meenakshi Aman Temple
24:05India
24:05Considered as architecturally important to southern India as the Taj Mahal is to the north, the
24:11Meenakshi Temple is six hectares of unrivaled art, culture, legend, and history.
24:15This wonder of art and architecture is in the middle of the old city, with streets arranged
24:21around it in concentric squares.
24:23Said to be the home of triple-breasted goddess Meenakshi, whose superfluous breast melted
24:28away upon marriage to Shiva, it houses an estimated 33,000 sculptures and welcomes 15,000
24:34visitors a day.
24:35Over the centuries, there was reconstruction and expansion by kings and rich patrons.
24:41Many of those visitors stick around until closing as well, for an important daily ritual
24:45in which an image of Shiva is carried to Meenakshi's bedroom to consummate their union.
24:50Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified
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25:00If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
25:06Number 1.
25:07Angel Falls, Venezuela
25:09At 3,212 feet tall, our winner is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall.
25:15And if that's not wonder-worthy, then what is?
25:17Getting here isn't easy or cheap, but for those who can come, it's an unforgettable experience.
25:23Angel Falls, named after the U.S. aviator who first flew over them, have a legendary spot
25:28within the history of exploration.
25:30Notoriously difficult to locate, and even harder to navigate once you're actually there,
25:34they've become a sort of unofficial aim for any aspiring adventurer.
25:38For Venezuelans, this is an emotional moment, viewing a national treasure.
25:43Plus, they're the inspiration for Paradise Falls in the Pixar film Up.
25:47Quite simply, they're beautiful, they're breathtaking, and they beat everything else out there.
25:53Which of these gorgeous sights is getting added to your travel bucket list?
25:56Let us know in the comments below.
25:57Seeing the caves and the valleys from above is the best thing about my job.
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