Ten amazing undiscovered destinations to discover now

The true traveler in all of us yearns for the romance and discovery of new and exciting places around the world. Those unique places untouched by loads of tourists and bursting with souvenir shops. Happily there are still a number of fresh adventures, away from the well-worn track, just waiting to be discovered.

Many lesser known, undiscovered destinations are located in Asia, India and the Middle East. Travel experts Wego, have put together a fascinating list of ten destinations sure to satisfy an adventurous heart. Check them out, before everyone else does!

MIDDLE EAST

Farasan Banks, Saudi Arabia

A welcome alternative to busy Red Sea resorts in Egypt and Israel, Farasan Banks is home to countless cays and sandbanks, is now a protected area within the Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary.

Farasan Banks – via Flickr Wajahat Mahmood

Diving is the main attraction with the waters bursting with marine life; clown fish, yellowfin tuna, dolphins, bump head parrotfish, and a variety of shark species as well as gorgonian and black coral.

Countless secluded and empty beaches can be reached by boat, and a number of charming coastal towns, typical of the Red Sea area, can be strolled on a warm summer evening, and it’s only a short flight from the UAE.

Dizin, Iran

Set high in the Alborz Mountains, a short ride north of Tehran, Dizin is one of the country’s most famous ski resorts and one of 40 of the world’s highest.

Farasan Banks – via Flickr Wajahat Mahmood

With a season lasting longer than many European alps thanks to an altitude of 3,600 metres there’s around 459 hectares of skiable terrain (between December to late May).

Perfect for hiking and biking in summer, with amazing views of one of the highest volcanoes in the world, Mount Damavand.

Dakhla, Western Sahara

Under Moroccan administration, Dakhla is slowly becoming a surfing mecca, famed for its wild Atlantic rollers. The desert seemingly sinks into the sea on the narrow peninsula which is famous for its consistent wave breaks between October and February.

Dakhla – via Flickr Jonathanfh

The best spots are the beach breaks in Lâayoune and Bojador, and also Pointe de l’Or. Nouâdhibou is one of the most undiscovered surfing/coastal gems in the region, and features a curious mix of Mauritanian and Senegalese cultures.

ASIA

Hang Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

Vietnam has become increasingly popular as an Asian destination, but focus lays in the two larger cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Son Doong Cave Vietnam – via flikr Myilmazarslan

As quite a recent discovery, having only been extensively explored in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association, it’s been hailed as the largest of its kind in the world. Set deep in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam, the ancient cave was carved from the Annamite Mountains almost three million years ago.

More people have walked upon Mount Everest than have set foot here, that’s how new and remote it is.

The Hang Son Doong Cave soars 200 metres in height, and is approximately 150 metres wide, and the entire cave system extends almost nine kilometres, with evergreen tropical forests growing within.

Located near the Ban Doong ethnic minority village in the Karst Mountains and home to a timeless way of life.

Hsipaw, Myanmar

Myanmar is growing in popularity now that the country is more accessible to visitors and is a relatively young travel destination.

Central Market, Hsipaw – via Flickr Clay Gilliland

To experience the essence of this country, untouched by tourism, take a daily train to Mandalay to reach Hsipaw. Set deep in the highlands of the Shan State and dating back to 58 BC, it was once a royal city of the Shan chieftains who ruled until 1959.

Perfect for trekkers or hikers, the Burmese hills are stunning and uncrowded. The town is filled with traditional wooden longhouses and the Haw palaces of the Shan Kings are a must see.

Hoh Xil (Kekexili), Tibet

Perched high on the Tibetan Plateau, Hoh Xil is the third-least populated area on the planet, and China’s least. Sprawling between Tanggula and Kunlun, it sits at 4,700 metres above sea level.

China’s Tibet beauty of the Hoh Xil

Characterised by rolling grass plains and volcanic cinder cones and framed by huge walls of snow-capped mountains, it’s only recently been open to tourists by China.

230 species of unusual, and some endangered, species of wildlife roam free including wild yak and donkey, white-lip deer, brown bear and the Tibetan antelope.

Qingzang Railway runs on its edge, and the Fenghuo Shan Tunnel is the world’s highest railway tunnel.

Hainan, China

China’s southernmost province is a tropical paradise, often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of China’. Palm lined beaches, small towns filled with cafes and streets full of shopping opportunities sit beside the warm South China Sea.

Hainan – via Flickr DvYang

Inland, jagged jungle-clad mountains and lava rock villages await the adventurer, and make sure to check out Gusong Village, which is a rarely discovered ancient Hainanese village in the hills. The Yanoda Rainforest is quite an unexpected spectacle, and Nanwan Monkey Island is a nationally protected reserve for macaque monkeys.

INDIA

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Ornate stone carved walls lining the 11th century Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India

Forming the borderlands of Gujarat and Pakistan in the extreme north-west of India, you’ll find the largest salt desert in the world. Home to the Rann Utsav, a Gujarati festival of desert life featuring dancing, sitar players, horse and camel riders; it’s a unique blend of Persian, Indian, Indian, Pakistani and Indus Valley cultures.

Some of the most unique handcraft markets can be found here, bursting with wood carvings, shell work, Rabari, Ahir and Sindhi fabrics, all traditional to this area.

Visit Kala Dunga (the highest point in Rann of Kutch) offering sweeping views of the White Desert, and Vijay Vilas Palace, a mix of Jaipur, Mewar, Rajput, Gujarati styles which are used in Bollywood backdrops.

Doodhpathri, Kashmir

An off-the-beaten-track alternative to Srinagar and Gulmarg, the natural environment is spectacular. Home to the alpine Tangnar Valley filled with pines and babbling mountain streams on the edge of the Himalaya.

Doodhpathri – via Flickr Ankur P

Hailed as the Valley of Milk, for its farming traditions, rolling green meadows and grazing sheep add to the complete serenity. Many visitors rent temps and camp in the wilds during May to July, when temperatures are in the mid-teens and plants and grasses are in full bloom.

Patan, Gujarat

The sprawling ancient city of Gujarat’s Jain kings, Patan is also home to the recently UNESCO World Heritage Listed, Rani-ki-Vav (Queens’ stepwell). The 11th Century royal memorial celebrates the sanctity of water, overflowing with religious and secular symbolism.

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