Surreal Places You Won't Believe Actually Exist

Our imaginations take us to grand and colorful places that we can not conceive as a reality. But what if those colors actually existed right here on Earth?
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Our imaginations take us to grand and colorful places that we can not conceive as a reality. But what if those colors actually existed right here on Earth?

There are places right here on our planet that are absolutely extraordinary. They defy norms and go far beyond the beauty that a typical landscape can achieve. We see gorgeous landscapes and picturesque views in even the most mundane of places. But to visualize the settings of some of our most vibrant dreams as a reality is seemingly impossible.

Jaw-dropping, other-worldly places actually exist in our world. Formed by natural occurrences, these 12 surreal places explore the artistic and dreamlike qualities that mother nature offers as reality.

Zhangye Danxia Geopark, China
The smooth, sharp, and colorful rock formations that span several hundred meters through this area of China is a sight straight from a dream. These 24 million year old deposits of sandstone and other minerals are similar to a layer cake. Over time the elements sculpted the rock into various shapes, colors and patterns.Photo Credit: © Flickr / Peter GuthrieClick Here to See More Surreal Places You Won't Believe Actually Exist
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Near the center of Lighthouse Reef an eerie, large submarine sinkhole takes up over 300 meters of the ocean. Over time the ocean rose, and a cave was flooded creating this World Heritage Site which is also one of the best scuba diving sites in the world.Photo Credit: © Flickr / wstera2
Marble Caves, Crimea
Formed by marble limestone, this gorgeous cave located in the lower plateau of a mountainous massif is considered one of the most beautiful caves on the planet. Like walking through a fairy tale, tours through the cave will show you different colors, shapes and awe-inspiring views.Photo Credit: © Flickr / Javier LosaClick Here to See More Surreal Places You Won't Believe Actually Exist
Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
Formed as a result of transformations between many prehistoric lakes, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Because of the large, flat area and clear skies, it is often used for calibrating altimeters of Earth observation satellites. It also creates a dream-like reflection off of the crust.Photo Credit: © Flickr / Patrick Nouhailler
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
It is difficult to capture the magnificent beauty that occurs in the Glowworm caves. Glowworms are a species around the same size of a mosquito found exclusively in New Zealand. As you paddle through the caves, the glowworms light the ceiling above you, twinkling like the night sky.Click Here to See More Surreal Places You Won't Believe Actually ExistPhoto Credit: © Flickr / Opticoverload


-Catarina Cowden, The Active Times

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