20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Ada Be / CC BY 2.0

In a past article we showcased surreal landscapes in the United States, and today we’re extending that to showcase amazing and surreal destinations in other parts of the world. If you’re looking for dream destinations for landscape photography this list should provide plenty of possibilities.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni, located in Bolivia, is the world’s largest salt flat. It covers a staggering 4,000 square miles near the crest of the Andes Mountains, at almost 12,000 feet above sea level.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Dimitry B. / CC BY 2.0

Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, Spain

Located in southeastern Spain (near Torrevieja) is Laguna Salada de Torrevieja. It is a salt lake that turns pink at times during the year due to a certain type of algae. If you want unique lake photos, this is a great place to visit.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Moisés Pastor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Marble Caves, Chile

The Marble Caves are located on Lake General Carrera in Patagonia, Chile. They are accessible by boat from the town of Puerto Tranquillo. The caves and caverns have been formed in monoliths of marble and with the reflections of the turquoise water it is a sight unlike any other.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Javier Vieras / CC BY 2.0

Pamukkale, Turkey

Located in southwestern Turkey, Pamukkale is home to beautiful hot springs and thermal pools. This was the site of the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by miquitos / CC BY-SA 2.0

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Located at the foot of basalt cliffs some 40,000 black basalt columns formed by volcanic activity stick out of the sea to form Giant’s Causeway. The shapes, mostly hexagonal, make Giant’s Causeway truly unique.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by 一元 马 / CC BY 2.0

Danxia Landform, China

Located in Danxia National Park in China is the colorful Danxia Landform. It showcases red sandstone that has been eroded to create a beautiful scene.

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Danxia Landform

Photo by Kashif Pathan / CC BY-SA 2.0

Shilin Stone Forest, China

The limestone formations in Shilin give the area the look of a forest made of stone. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favorite of photographers.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Home to some of the most unique-looking tress in the world, Avenue of the Baobabs is a 260 meter stretch that includes about 20-30 baobab trees that are up to 800 years old. It is located in the Menabe region of Western Madagascar.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Gavin Evans / CC BY-SA 3.0

Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

In 1971 this area was thought to be the site of a substantial oil field. The ground, actually home to natural gas instead of oil, collapsed and formed a wide crater about the size of a football field. It was set on fire to prevent the spreading of methane and has burned ever since. It is now a popular tourist attraction.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Tormod Sandtorv / CC BY-SA 2.0

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

Located in the Hunan Province of China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to very distinct pillar-like formations that have been created by erosion.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is home to hundreds of natural pillars. The people of Cappadocia carved homes into the soft volcanic stone formations and today it is a popular tourist destination due to its uniqueness.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Benh / CC BY-SA 3.0

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

One of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Plitvice Lakes is home to Plitvice Lakes National Park. The cascading lakes and many waterfalls create a truly surreal scene that provides plenty of opportunities for stunning photographs.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by jidanchaomian / CC BY-SA 2.0

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Isle of Skye is a 50-mile-long island that is home to stunning scenery. A road bridge connects the island to the mainland, and the most popular areas with visitors are Portree, Dunvegan and Trotternish.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Magdalena Kiczuk / CC BY 2.0

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Banff National Park (Canada’s oldest national park) is home to glaciers, forests, and the beautiful blue waters of Moraine Lake.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Ada Be / CC BY 2.0

Uluru, Australia

Uluru, also known as Ayer’s Rock, is a stunning sandstone rock formation of over 1,000 feet in height in central Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. It appears to change colors, especially with a red glow at sunrise and sunset.

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20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Corey Leopold / CC BY 2.0

Bungle Bungles, Australia

Located in Purnululu National Park in Western Australia, the Bungle Bungle Range is a landform of beehive shaped towers. They were created by sedimentary deposits and weathering.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Michael Theis / CC BY-ND 2.0

Koekohe Beach, New Zealand

Koekohe Beach is home to the famous Moeraki Boulders. The boulders are very large and spherical, making the area popular with tourists and photographers.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Skeeze / CC0

Mount Roraima, South America

Mount Roraima is a tabletop mountain surrounded on all sides by steep 1,300 foot cliffs. The mountain serves as the border between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by M M / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Located in the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand’s South Island, Lake Pukaki has a distinct and amazing blue color, which is created by the ground rock particles of glaciers.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Jack Hynes / Public Domain

Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Raja Ampat is an archipelago of more than 1,500 small islands that creates a magnificent scene. It also contains the richest marine biodiversity on earth.

20 Surreal Landscapes Around the World

Photo by Elias Levy / CC BY 2.0

Photo license links: CC0, CC BY 2.0, CC BY-SA 2.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-ND 2.0

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