Travel enthusiasts are well aware of all the main attractions offered by famous tourist destinations. Anyone can visit these places to see them with their own eyes. But there are other corners of the earth: patches, for one reason or another, are still banned for ordinary viewers.
We’ve recently learned about some of these really mysterious sites. We’d like to see those places for ourselves.
The Kofuns, Japan :
These artificial islands are ancient burial sites for members of the Japanese imperial family. It can only be visited with the permission of the Imperial Court. For example, by archaeologists, but this happens on very rare occasions.
North Sentinel Island, India :
Authorities in India prohibit anyone from approaching the site. This is because the indigenous people who live on the island will stop doing anything to protect their land and allow strangers to get close. Therefore, for the safety of tourists, the authorities prevent people from approaching the site.
Church of St. Mary of Zion, Ethiopia :
A specially built chapel houses the church’s holiest treasure: the Ark of the Covenant. The guardian of the Ark – the only person who has access to the relic – is never allowed to leave the church premises. Nor can he converse with strangers.
British Telecom Tower, United Kingdom :
The revolving restaurant and observation deck have been closed to people since the explosion inside the tower.
C. Sometimes, when BT Tower hosts charity events, a couple of people still have a chance to see London from a different perspective.
Ise Grand Shrine, Japan :
It is the holiest shrine complex in Japan where people are not allowed access to its territory. Only for priests and members of the imperial family. Everyone must be satisfied and admired the roofs of the holy places behind several rows of walls.
The ghost town of Varosha, Cyprus :
This resort, adjacent to Famagusta, was the main destination for visitors in Cyprus. But everything changed in July 1974 when the abandoned city was captured with the help of invading Turkish forces after a mass evacuation. Given the fact that Varosha remains fenced afterward, it forms part of the buffer zone patrolling with the assistance of the Turkish army.
Sable Island, Canada :
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, this drifting sandy island with a population of fewer than 30 inhabitants is a real cemetery for sunken ships. Due to its own characteristics, Sable has been declared a nature reserve. To get there, you must write a petition to the Canadian authorities, explaining the need for the trip.
Pionen Data Center, Sweden :
Built during the Cold War, this Nuclear Bunker in Stockholm has recently been transformed into a very modern office environment for the Swedish Internet service provider. Here, at a depth of 98 feet and hiding behind three-and-a-half-foot-thick doors, information belonging to many famous sites is stored.
Lascaux Cave, France :
To preserve the unique prehistoric paintings of this cave, the Lascaux entrance has now been closed to tourists after 15 years of unrestricted access. Visit a replica of the cave or enjoy a virtual tour.
An illusive underwater waterfall, Mauritius :
When you see it from above, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean seems to be located near a magnificent underwater waterfall. However, this beautiful phenomenon is nothing but an optical illusion created by the runoff of silt deposits and sand.
