~ Top 10 Unofficial Wonders of the World ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Unofficial Wonders of the World


1. Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines



Commonly referred to by Filipinos as the "Eighth Wonder of the World", the Banaue Rice Terraces are 2000-year-old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of indigenous people with the usage of only primitive tools. This spectacular creation, built mostly by hand, is located 1500 metres above sea level and covers 10,630 square kilometres. The terraces have been fully maintained ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces and it is also claimed that if the steps are put end to end it is highly possible that it would encircle half the globe. It is also considered that in case the Banaue Rice Terraces will be connected end to end, the length of this wonder would be ten times longer than the Great Wall of China. One of the most significant appeals of the terraces, are the many hiking trails, where young locals, mostly college students are available to serve as guides. No matter if you are with or without a guide, you will be able to discover the warmth and the friendliness of the Ifuago people and to enjoy the beauty of the local landscape.

[MysteRy]

2. Wave Rock, Australia



One of the most famous Australian landforms, the 15 meters high and 110 meters long giant cliff, called Wave Rock, is located east of the small town of Hyden in Western Australia. This spectacular wonder of nature looks exactly like a giant surf wave, made by multi-coloured granite, which is about to crash onto the bush below. The rock is composed of red and grey granite strips and according to geologists its rounded shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion which has left a rounded overhang and undercut the base. The colours of the Wave Rock, on the other hand, were created by the rain chemical deposits down the face, which have formed bizarre vertical stripes of yellows, greys and reds. It is really wonderful to observe how the rock changes its colour along the day, accomplishing marvellous views. Other impressive formations in the Wave Rock Reserve are the Mulkas cave, The Humps, King Rocks and The Hipposs Yawn. All of them are also amazing natural wonders with great importance.

[MysteRy]

3. Stone Forest, China



Typical example of karsts topography, the Stone Forest is a notable set of basalt formations, located in the Yunnan Province of China. This 96,000-acre site is home to an extensive outcropping of limestone rock, which has been formed by the elements for approximately 270 million years. The tall rocks seem to emanate from the ground resembling stalagmites, as many of them look like petrified trees and create the illusion of a forest, which is made of stone. Walking through the Stone Forest, visitors are enchanted by the intricate formations and marvel at the natural stone masterpieces, as many extraordinary figures can be found there, including  animals, plants and human-like. Some of them are rugged, some are very elegant, but what is really special about them is that each has its own distinguishing characteristics and is lifelike. What makes this place even more exclusive is the legend about a beautiful girl of the Yi people, called Ashima. It is believed that the forest is her birthplace and after she was forbidden to marry her beloved chosen suitor, she turned into a stone, which still exists in the forest and bears her name.

[MysteRy]

4. Rock of Gibraltar, Gibraltar



You will hardly find a site, more imposing than the 1,398-feet high monolithic limestone promontory, Rock of Gibraltar. This Rock was known to the Romans as Mons Calpe and is believed to be one of the Pillars of Hercules. This mighty and outstanding geographical formation has been formed as a result of the violent collision between Europe's and Africa's tectonic plates about 55 million years ago. The Rock of Gibraltar contains a complex system of tunnels and underground passageways, as it has been used for fortification by the British. Nowadays most of the upper area of the formation is covered by nature reserve, which hosts approximately 250 Barbary Macaques, which, along with the incredible labyrinthine network of tunnels, attract huge number of visitors yearly. In the Upper Rock Nature Reserve one could also see some distinguished representatives of the local flora and fauna, such as: Thyme, Barbary Partridges, Gibraltar's own Chickweed and the Gibraltar Candytuft.

[MysteRy]

5. Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria



Undoubtedly one of the most impressive and most famous nature phenomena of Bulgaria are the Belogradchik Rocks - a group of queer and awe-inspiring limestone and sandstone formations (product of erosion) with different shapes, that reach up to 200 m in height. This natural wonder consists of rocks in different amazing shapes: birds, silhouettes of people, fortresses, animals, palaces and rock castles. All of the rocks have been given a name, in accordance of their interesting and distinctive shape. The Horseman, Madonna, the Schoolgirl, Adam and Eve, The Monks, the Bear, the Nun are just small part of the characteristic and unique names. The Rocks are rising above the small and lovely town of Belogradchis like guardians and if you go out at twilight to the town square and listen very carefully for a while, you will hear how the Cuckoo rock produces the same sound as a cuckoo bird. It is believed that it tells the story about the impossible love between the poor shepherd Anton (The Horseman) and the rich beautiful lady Vitinya (Madonna with child in her hands).

[MysteRy]

6. Ajanta Caves, India



Situated about 99 kilometres away from Aurangabad district in the state of Maharashtra, the Ajanta Caves are series of 29 amazing Buddhist cave temples, some of which date from the second century BC. These astonishing rock-cut monuments include various sculptures and paintings, which are believed to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, as well as the universal pictorial art. The caves are placed just outside the village in horseshoe shape and a mountain stream, bearing the name Wagura, flows along the bottom of the ravine and makes a series of waterfalls. The sound all these waterfalls make could be heard inside the caves, which creates and exceptional feeling at the visitors. The 30 temples, hollowed out of granite cliffs, are of two types, viharas ("monasteries") and caityas ("sanctuaries") and all of them are dedicated to Buddha. The chief interest of Ajanta are undoubtedly the fresco-type paintings, depicting colourful divinities and Buddhist legends with unsurpassed  vitality and exuberance.

[MysteRy]

7. Bagan, Myanmar



This ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Burma was the capital of several ancient kingdoms and is today more than just an archaeological site. With more than 2000 Temples and Pagodas and more than 1500 years of history, Bagan is the most fascinating place to visit all year round, arranging your sightseeing tour by horse cart, car or even your own bicycle. You have plenty of possibilities to enjoy your time at this wonderful city: you may observe the magnificent Sunset over Bagan while having a refreshing cold drink or even better to undertake an exciting Sunset Boat trip on the Ayeyarwady River. Although the military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient buildings, statues, temples and stupas, using modern materials and ignoring the original architectural styles, Bagan is still one of the most significant must-see wonders of the world with great historic and cultural significance.

[MysteRy]

8. Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand



Widely regarded as the gem of New Zealand's West Coast Glaciers, Franz Josef is 12 miles long glacier, which offers you the chance to experience the most spectacular and wonderful glacier environment available to the general public anywhere on the planet. Interesting fact is that the Glacier was named after the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I by the German explorer, Julius von Haast in 1865. The wide range of glacier hiking tours provided suits all levels of ability and fitness and guarantees an unforgettable experience that attracts more than 250,000 visitors per year. Onto the glacier are possible both guided and unguided walks, as the latter necessarily require some specialised equipment, such as crampons and ice axes. Although the glacial landscape changes every day with the glaciers outstandingly fast flow, and some of the walks include long passages through narrow ice tunnels, they are still considered safe and just a bit strenuous.

[MysteRy]

9. Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico



Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a United States National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, which features scenic valleys with varied wildlife and rocky peaks. But undoubtedly the most remarkable attraction of the park is the show cave, Carlsbad Cavern. This is of the oldest and most famous cave systems in the world, which is nowadays fully developed and supplied with elevators, paved trails and electric lights. Despite the fact the caverns are a full days drive from any of the other main attractions in the Southwest, they are absolutely worth visiting. They include several major underground chambers, with height up to 250 feet, which are filled with incredible formations of many shapes and colours. No matter if you'll choose to take the elevator directly to the Underground Lunchroom some 750 feet below or hike on your own via the natural entrance, you will definitely be astonished by the views and the troves discovered there.

[MysteRy]

10. Danxia Landform, China



Characterized by steep cliffs and red-coloured sandstones, Danxia landforms of China is the general name of a unique type of landform, mainly distributed in several provinces in southwest and southeast of China, including: Jiangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan and Fujian. Danxia (which means "rosy cloud") is a specific landform created by reddish sandstone, which, with the course of time, has been eroded into a series of mountains, surrounded by many unusual rock formations and curvaceous cliffs. Danxia Landform also includes rich number of dramatic natural valleys, ravines, pillars, towers and waterfalls. A noteworthy feature of Danxia landscape is the development of various caves of different shapes and sizes, which tend to be isolated and shallow, unlike true karst terrain, where caves tend to form interconnecting and deep networks. Once you visit this magical place, you will be truly captivated by its unusual and mystical beauty.