Our world is an incredible place.
Natural wonders never cease to amaze us
and can seem unreal...
as if we are dreaming.
10 Unbelievable Magical and Mysterious Places
that Actually Exist.
The Ijen volcanoes are found in Java, Indonesia.
The active crater Kawah Ijen is known for
its stunning electric-blue flames.
The blue fire is created from ignited sulphuric gas.
The gas emerges from cracks at temperatures
up to 600 degrees Celsius.
These stunning flames can be up to 5 metres high!
It is the largest blue flames area in the world.
This is the Sagano Bamboo Forest near Kyoto, Japan.
It must be one of the most unusual forests on the planet
with this spiritual atmosphere.
The forest is spellbinding when the tall bamboo stalks
sway gently in the wind.
The rustling bamboo sounds like nature's music.
But is seems a dark and foreboding place at night
as the towers of bamboo stir eerily.
This dreamlike blue neon glow is not a magic trick!
At night, water can have the appearance of sparkling
light due to the bioluminescence of disturbed plankton.
For example, movement of waves, boats or swimming
results in a bright light that emanates from the sea
- like a sea of stars.
The plankton can shock their predators by
flashing light like a 'burglar alarm'
- a stunning defence mechanism!
Bioluminescent plankton ecosystems are among the
rarest and most fragile, and can be found
in many places including the Maldives and Thailand.
The Dark Hedges is an avenue of beech trees
in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
This atmospheric tunnel of trees appears to have limbs
that reach inwards to travellers.
According to legend, the hedges are visited by a ghost
called the Grey Lady, who travels the road
from tree to tree.
The Dark Hedges was used as a filming location for the
'Kings Road' in the television series 'Game of Thrones'.
The trees were also used in the
2017 Transformers movie 'The Last Knight'.
Zhangjajie, Hunan Province, China,
is an awe inspiring landscape.
It was the inspiration for the floating peaks
in the movie Avatar.
It's not hard to see why!
The rocks seem to hover in the sky.
These mysterious peaks seem to defy gravity.
The Petrifying Well in Knaresborough, England,
has amazing powers.
Long ago, local people believed the well to be magical,
and would not dare go near it.
They had seen branches, leaves and dead animals turn
to stone and feared they would too!
Today, people visit to hange everyday items
under the mineral rich water,
which turns them rapidly to stone
in just a few months!
Green Lake, in Styria, Austria, is both a
beguiling and beautiful emerald-green lake,
with clean, clear water from mountain snowmelt.
During winter, the lake is only
1-2m (3-7ft) deep and the surrounding area
is used as a country park.
However, in spring, when the temperature rises and
snow melts, the basin of land below the mountains fills
with water, and the lake rises to 12m (39ft).
The lake then becomes popular with divers,
who can find underwater meadows,
trees, trails, a bridge and a bench.
It's as if the world is magically turned upside down.
Fingal's Cave is a sea cave on the
island of Staffa, Scotland.
It is formed by incredible hexagonal basalt
columns - as high as the roof of a cathedral.
Composer Felix Mendelssohn visited in 1829 and wrote
an overture 'The Hebrides', Op. 26, (also known as
Fingal's Cave overture), inspired by the weird echoes
in the cave.
Other famous visitors include author Jules Verne,
who used it in his book 'The Green Ray',
and mentions it in the novels
'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'
and 'The Mysterious Island'.
It was also the setting for the Alistair MacLean
novel-based movie 'when Eight Bells Toll',
starring Anthony Hopkins.
The Ashikaga Flower Park in Japan is treasured
for its stunning wisteria (Fuji)
- an important part of Japanese culture.
The 'Great Miracle Wisteria' is nearly 150
years old and covers around 2000 square metres.
The blossom is a beautiful contrast
to its grizzled ancient trunk.
The smell emanating from thousands
of flowers must be captivating.
The spectacle of colours is mesmerising.
This enchanting place in Scotland
is named Finnich Gorge.
The final battle scenes of the movie
'The Lost Legion' were filmed here.
Is there a better place for a last stand
between Romans and Scottish tribes?
Finnich Gorge has become a favourite scene of movies
such as King Arthur and series such as Outlander.
It was used as a secret religious meeting place
by ancient druid priests.
The river is said to run red from the druids' ceremonies.
The mysterious red colour actually
comes from the sandstone rocks.
Finnich Gorge has a magical charm, but beware...
It can only be reached by a 300 year-old partially
collapsed stone staircase named the 'Devil's Staircase'.
Many tourists have become stranded.
Do you think a visit to this amazing place
is worth the risk?