From ‘Mars on Earth’ to 'Pandora's Floating Mountains': 10 Places That Feel Unreal

Cappadocia, Turkey The area is a dreamland with cone-shaped rocks, cave houses and the hot-air balloons flying by the sunrise, a surrealistic scene that resembles a painted picture. (Image: Canva)

Zhangjiajie Chinese Forest National ParkHere, the tall columnar sandstones were the inspiration behind the floating mountains in Avatar of Pandora. The park is shot through with mist and greenery, and it appears like a fantasy movie has been shot there. (Image: Canva)

Cappadocia, TurkeyThe area is a dreamland with cone-shaped rocks, cave houses and the hot-air balloons flying by the sunrise, a surrealistic scene that resembles a painted picture. (Image: Canva)

Salar de Uyuni, BoliviaIt has the largest salt flat in the world that becomes a huge mirror when it rains. It has one of the most alien landscapes on the planet due to its white, interminable surface and reflective sky. (Image: Canva)

Antelope Canyon, USAThe waves of red walls and beams of light of Antelope Canyon are made by the erosion of water and wind that formed the cave over centuries, and give the illusion that the viewer is walking through the hell of a dream. (Image: Canva)

China, Wulingyuan Scenic AreaThe forest of quartz sandstone pillars, deep cracks, and foggy mountains at Wulingyuan is another surreal miracle in China that gives a feeling that the scenery is depicted in a science fiction film. (Image: Canva)

Pamukkale, TurkeyPamukkale is well-known due to its white terraces of mineral-saturated thermal waters, which shine in the sun like snow. The cascading pools are unrealistic to the extent that they are usually mistaken to be ice. (Image: Canva)

Mount Roraima, VenezuelaThe Lost World was inspired by this mountain, which has a flattop and is enclosed by clouds. Secluded and unknown flora create the sense of being on a different planet. (Image: Canva)

Valley of Fire State Park, USAThe red sandstones in the park take the shape of the surface of Mars. Changing colours and antiquity of its petroglyphs make it a desert dream. (Image: Canva)

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New ZealandThese limestone caves are plugged with thousands of glowworms that illuminate the place like a galaxy down below. The illuminated ceilings and the quiet boat travels are indeed out of this world. (Image: Canva)

Lake Natron, TanzaniaThe lake is blood-red, alkaline and is capable of making flamingos pink and can calcify animals. It is one of the most surreal natural phenomena on Earth due to the spooky yet stunning view. (Image: Canva)