When you first hear the phrase “obscure travel destinations”, do you feel repelled or excited? When you walk into a restaurant, do you try the dish you know you like, or do you try something different every time?
Some travelers have limited time and want to stick to the tried and true travel hits, such as Paris or New York. Others may feel drawn to explore a place in more detail, to experience something few others have.
If you consider yourself a traveler, it’s best to have a mix of both tendencies. You may have always had the Leaning Tower of Pisa on your bucket list, but you may have a more personal travel experience if you also explore the nearby villages or hike the lush mountains.
Image source: globalwhisperer.com
An obscure travel destination can mean a different thing to everyone, depending on your background, where you grew up, and where you are traveling from. Sometimes, local destinations can be the most obscure. Few backpackers, for example, would take a road trip to visit the Midwest’s lesser-known travel destinations such as The House on the Rock, The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, or Bill Shea’s Gas Station Museum. These roadsite oddities, while not long-term travel destinations, are a comforting dose of obscurity that somehow explain the American consciousness. Other travelers crave adventure and walking off the beaten path. These travelers may opt for regions that don’t have a well established North American tourist infrastructure, like Africa, South America, or Southeast Asia.
If you are looking for a destination less traveled, here are a few suggestions:
Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Goblin Valley State Park, San Rafael Swell, Utah.
Image source: Wildnatureimages.com
The Goblin Valley Park is known for its unusual rock formations, known as hoodoos (yes, this is a real geological term). The park gets its name from the way hoodoo formations resemble goblins. The park has three marked hiking trails, all of which showcase the unusual natural beauty that rock formations can have.
Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Image source: Wikipedia
The Leshan Giant Buddha is a UNESCO World Heritage site; at 233 feet, it is the largest depiction of Buddha in the world. The surrounding Mount Emei scenic area also contains the first ever Buddhist temple, believed to be built in the 1st century CE. If you are looking for more obscure destinations in China, why not try the Panda Inn, only a 1 hour drive from the Giant Buddha? This hotel is completely Panda themed, with paintings of pandas, stuffed panda bear toys in the rooms, and even the staff dress up like panda bears.
La Ciudad Perdida, Colombia
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_city
La Ciudad Perdida, or, “The Lost City”, is an archaeological site in Colombia believed to be centuries older than Macchu Picchu. The only way to get to this city is via a multi-day hike with a local guide. Since 2005, the area is patrolled by the Colombian army to keep it safe. If you are an avid hiker or would like to explore a piece of ancient history, this is the ultimate destination. The surrounding small villages in Colombia, like the coffee farms and beach towns, are also not to be missed.
Whether you like the greatest hits or the underground scene, the tried and true or the exciting and new, it is always fun to go on a new adventure.
