Unique and Stunning Locations Photographers will want to Visit in their Lifetime

It is true that there are many beautiful locations across the world that have people flocking to them each and every year. Rather than piecing together a list of these famous, much-visited places, we’ve decided to compile a wanderlust-inducing list of the most unique and stunning locations photographers will want to visit in their lifetime.

Perhaps surprisingly, we were unfamiliar with some of these places ourselves, so hopefully you too will be able to learn about some breath-taking locations that you previously weren’t aware of.

From pink lakes and bamboo forests, to rainbow springs and pigs that swim, this intriguing list will have you packing your camera and booking a plane ticket in no time!

Pink Lake near Esperance, Western Australia

Appropriately named ‘Pink Lake’, this bubblegum-hued lake near Esperence in Western Australia will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. It’s a completely natural occurrence, with scientists believing that the pretty shade of water comes from a dye created by bacteria that lives in the salt crusts.

Pink Lake is the smaller of the two varieties, however the most famous (and largest) pink lake is called Lake Hillier, which is on Middle Island and is part of the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Esperance.

The only way to view Lake Hillier is from the air, however the smaller of the two pink lakes can be viewed from Pink Lake lookout, which is a scenic and pleasant bush walk away.

Big Major Cay, The Bahamas (Swimming Pigs Island)

It’s one thing to snap incredible photos of the clear, inviting waters of The Bahamas, but imagine being able to capture some swimming pigs in those photos too!

Big Major Cay is the famous island well-known for its swimming pigs. Phenomenally, these pigs have been residing on the island for some time now, swimming around in its pristine shores, however it is unknown how or why they came to live here. The island is uninhabited by humans and although the pigs are essentially ‘feral’, they are very friendly to visitors.

The Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu, explains:

“As a destination that is world-renowned for welcoming visitors and providing them with the most beautiful beaches, lavish hotels and resorts, and fine dining, and for being a dream destination, the Islands of The Bahamas are very proud to be the Official Home of the Swimming Pigs. Providing visitors with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of interacting with these wonderful animals is just one more thing that distinguishes The Bahamas.”

Cappadocia, Turkey

You might not be so familiar with the place’s name, but you will likely have seen at least one photo of this incredible landscape in Turkey dotted with colorful hot air balloons.

This World Heritage site contains a high plateau over 1000m in altitude that is cut by volcanic peaks. Spanning over thousands of years, a city has actually been carved into this rocky landscape, making it one of the most unique and intriguing locations that you will set your eyes upon.

Lonely Planet poetically describes the region, stating: “As if plucked from a whimsical fairytale and set down upon the stark Anatolian plains, Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty… This region’s accordion-ridged valleys, shaded in a palette of dusky orange and cream, are an epiphany of a landscape – the stuff of psychedelic daydreams.”

Mù Cang Chải, Vietnam

Mù Cang Chải is a rural district (of Yen Bai province), in the northeastern region of Vietnam. Known for its ‘terraced rice fields’, many believe that this stunning place in Vietnam should be more widely celebrated. During September and October in particular, these fields turn to picturesque harvest colors and it is a wonderful sight to see them illuminated by the golden sun.

Although man-made, the terraces of these rice fields seem organic and beautifully curved, helping them to compliment the natural landscape that surrounds them. Just imagine the breath-taking backdrop these seemingly sliding hills would make!

VietnamCoracle.com provides further information of how to access this wonderful location. He explains: “I call this spectacle the ‘Theatre of Rice’…A good way to see the ‘show’ is to drive the scenic section of Road 32 from Tú Lệ town to just west of Mù Cang Chải town. I call this the ‘Harvest Route’. It takes in 50km of picture-book scenery, including the lofty Khau Phạ Pass. There are hotels in both Tú Lệ and Mù Cang Chải towns.”

Benagil Sea Cave in Algarve, Portugal

This iconic cave is located in Portugal’s southern coast in the Algarve region, just around the corner from a beach in the tiny town of Benagil. This particular cave is the most famous due to its unique formation which features a natural skylight, allowing sun to pour through the rock structure, making it the perfect place to bask in the warm amber glow.

large, window-like cut-outs in the rock also allow you to look out onto the clear blue and turquoise water, making this location an absolute ‘must’ for any wanderlust-driven photographer.

The Benagil Sea Cave is part of a system of multiple caves, meaning that you can also photograph a number of beautiful, natural rock formations within a short distance of one another. This day of sightseeing, sun-soaking, and swimming should be very high on your list of places to explore!

Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Due to its incredibly bright colors and enormous size, the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the most photographed thermal feature in this region.

The Grand Prismatic Spring is actually bigger than a football field, making it the third largest spring in the world. You only need to take one look at this natural phenomenon though to understand why this place has become every photographer’s dream to take an image of.

To explain how this incredible spring achieves its rainbow effect of colors, Yellowstone Park explain: “The hot spring has bright bands of orange, yellow, and green ring the deep blue waters in the spring. The multicolored layers get their hues from different species of thermophile (heat-loving) bacteria living in the progressively cooler water around the spring. And the deep blue center? That’s because water scatters the blue wavelengths of light more than others, reflecting blues back to our eyes.”

Red Beach in Panjin, China

This beach in Panjin, China is unlike any other beach you will visit in the world. Rather than containing sand, Red Beach is covered in Sueda, a type of seaweed which starts growing during April and May, stays green during the summer, then starts turning vividly red in autumn to produce the magical landscape featured above.

This reed-covered wetland is situated in one of the world’s largest reed marsh areas, the Liaohe River Delta, which is about 18 miles southwest of Panjin City in the northeast province of Liaoning, China.

Although most of the Red Beach is closed to the public, there still is a small section which is open for tourists. This is a 6,500-foot wooden jetty, which enables non-invasive views of the area’s stunning, red scenery. The area is also home to more than 260 kinds of birds and 399 kinds of wild animals, one of the reasons why it must remain so protected.

Just imagine this vivid red backdrop to your holiday photos!

Bamboo Forest, Japan

You might be used to forests and woodlands filled with pine trees and other lush greenery, but here’s a forest of a different nature that’s sure to inspire you to take plenty of photos.

The Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan, is a sacred place that it is also one of the ‘100 Soundscapes of Japan’ set by the Japanese Ministry of Environment, due to the iconic sound that the bamboo makes as it rustles in the wind. This list also highlights a selection of everyday noises intended to encourage locals to stop and enjoy nature’s music.

According to Japanese tradition, bamboo is “a symbol of strength and is it far from rare to find a Buddhist temple or Shinto temple without a small bamboo grove to ward off evil within its grounds”. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that just outside of the bamboo forest’s entrance is the northern gate of the Tenryu-ji Temple, a structure dating back to 14th century.

If you’re planning on visiting this amazing location, CNN offers the following words of advice:

“For the best experience, head out early in the morning or late evening and avoid weekends completely, when Japanese day-trippers descend on the area — especially in the fall and spring. (There’s no admission fee and it’s open 24/7.)”

Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

No, it’s not a make-believe set from a magical movie – this Tunnel of Love is an actual location which can be found deep within a forest near the town of Kleven in Ukraine.

Measuring 1.8 miles long, this lush and green passageway provides a transportation route for a private train which delivers wood to a local factory.

Inhabitat.com explains: “The tunnel was made over many years as the passing train molded the trees’ lines. The train turned a luscious piece of woodland into a unique passageway as it traveled back and forth 3 times a day over several years.”

This gorgeous passage is open to the public, as it has become a famous spot for lovers to offer promises to one another. Can you think of a more perfect and one-of-a-kind location to photograph? We certainly can’t!

Wisteria Tunnel, Japan

Many photographers go in search of the perfect floral backdrop and the Wisteria Tunnel in Japan is certainly the flower-filled background that trumps all others!

This exquisite tunnel located at the Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyushu features cascading flowers in shades of lilac, mauve, and white. We are told that as soon as you step foot within this dreamy tunnel, your nose will be overcome with the sweet and fresh aroma of these beautiful wisteria flowers.

The Wisteria Tunnel is actually part of a private wisteria garden established in 1977, where approximately 150 trees comprising 22 types of wisteria in a variety of colors grow in a 10,000 square meters area. Whilst visiting this place, it is needless to say that you will be in awe of the dazzling display of natural beauty which surrounds you. Your camera won’t stop clicking!

AtlasObscura.com suggest: “Make sure to visit in late April or Early May, during the “Fuji Matsuri,” or “Wisteria Festival,” when the magical tunnel is in full bloom. Arrive at any other time of year, and its appearance will be a disheartening mass of lifeless, twisted branches.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these unique and stunning locations photographers will want to visit in their lifetime. Are you planning on traveling to any of these incredible destinations?