“We’ll always have Paris.” Sure, but what about those of us who want to move beyond the usual tourist destinations? Not to say that cities such as Paris, New York, London, Tokyo, and more aren’t filled with incredible sights to see and things to do, but the world is also bursting with one-of-a-kind wonders that exist nowhere else—more out-of-the-way destinations that may not be on most peoples’ bucket list, but are perfect for the more adventurous explorer who wants to see some of the most unique cities that this great big world of ours has to offer.
If that’s you, these six unique places to visit in the world are perfect for your next excursion. Discover cities new and old that must be seen to be believed, in countries around the globe, from South America to East Asia and beyond!
Petra, Jordan
Photo Credit: WikipediaNamed one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in a 2001 poll, Petra is a city whose unique architecture will be familiar to anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where one of its rock-cut buildings served as the resting place of the Holy Grail.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the organization described Petra as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”. It's the most popular tourist attraction in Jordan, where as many as a million tourists visit the remarkably well-preserved ruins, which are cut into the red sandstone of the surrounding cliffs, every year. Largely abandoned by its residents after the Galilee earthquake of 363 CE, the city was lost to the Western world until it was “rediscovered” by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Photo Credit: WikipediaWhile the surviving structures of Petra are cut into the cliff walls of the surrounding sandstone, the monolithic churches of Lalibela are perhaps more impressive still, often being cut directly down into the ground, carved out of the surface of the rocky hills so that their roofs are parallel with the ground. One of the most iconic of these is the Church of Saint George, with its unique cross-shaped architecture.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lalibela is home to at least 11 rock-cut churches dating mostly from around the 12th and 13th centuries, carved from the “living rock” of the surrounding hills. A major pilgrimage site and tourist destination, the churches are incredible feats of architecture and engineering—not least because they also make use of artesian wells which carry water to the top of the ridge on which they are located.
Machu Picchu, Peru
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Photo Credit: WikipediaLocated nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, on the crest of the mountain with which it shares its name, lies the ruined city known as Machu Picchu. Often called the “Lost City of the Incas”, it's one of the most recognizable remnants of the Inca Empire and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, despite its intimidating elevation and the fact that the only way to reach it is by taking a train to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes followed by a bus ride or trek of more than 5 miles to Machu Picchu itself.
Though no written records remain of the town’s original history, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a stronghold and private city for Incan royalty, due in part to its proximity to the former capital of Cusco, around 50 miles away.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Photo Credit: WikipediaClimbing the foothills of the Ka’ala mountain in northwestern Morocco, the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen is immediately identifiable, even from miles away, for its many blue-painted buildings and even streets, especially in the “Medina,” or walled central portion of the city. Founded in 1471, the origin of Chefchaouen’s unique blue doors, walls, and streets is a matter of continued debate. Some claim that the blue is intended to symbolize the heavens, while others offer a more prosaic explanation—it keeps mosquitos away. Some cynics even insist that the mandate to paint so much of the town blue didn’t come about until the late 20th century, as a way to attract tourists.
If this more mercenary explanation is the correct one, it was certainly a success, as Chefchaouen sees an influx of more than 100,000 tourists annually, who come to see the remarkable city and surrounding landmarks, including the nearby Kef Toghobeit Cave, one of the deepest in Africa.
Yanjin, China
Hailed as the “World’s Narrowest City,” Yanjin nevertheless has a population of more than 400,000—this despite the fact that it is built along the winding Heng River, raised upon concrete stilts. As the city follows the river on both banks, it is only around 1,000 feet wide at its widest point, and sometimes narrows to as little as 100 feet in width. Instead of expanding in width, it sprawls along the banks of the snaking river, creating a city that, itself, flows like the water it follows.
Though its location makes it reasonably isolated, Yanjin has recently begun to receive worldwide media attention, thanks in part to viral drone footage depicting the city’s one-of-a-kind layout and geography. The result is a booming increase in tourism, as visitors from all over the world flock to see one of the most unique cities around.
Coober Pedy, Australia
On the surface, the town of Coober Pedy doesn’t look like much. Established in 1915, with a current population of less than 2,000 souls, Coober Pedy is located in an inhospitable environment where temperatures routinely soar into the triple digits. The town is sometimes called the “opal capital of the world,” and its economy has traditionally revolved heavily around opal mining.
What helps to set Coober Pedy apart from any other city you might visit, however, is how its residents cope with the searing heat. Coober Pedy is home to numerous underground homes, buildings, shops, and even a hotel known as “dugouts.” Offering all the amenities of home or work, just located far below the ground, these “dugouts” help to insulate their residents (and tourists) from the worst of the heat that bakes the surface of this unique Australian town.
