Unreal Places · Four countries · Series
4 places that look like another planet
These four places look unreal and are all real: sandstone pillars rising out of cloud in China, a waterfall dropping straight into the Atlantic in the Faroe Islands, a white marble mosque in Abu Dhabi, and a blue-domed tomb in Samarkand. All four are open to visitors.
The places in this film
- 1
Zhangjiajie, China
Thousands of sandstone pillars rise from forest in Hunan province, often wrapped in cloud. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to have inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Cable cars and lifts climb to the viewpoints.
- 2
The Faroe Islands
A waterfall drops off a cliff straight into the Atlantic beside the village of Gásadalur on Vágar. A tunnel opened in 2004; before that the village was reached on foot over the mountain or by sea. The islands are self-governing within the Kingdom of Denmark.
- 3
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE
A white marble mosque in Abu Dhabi, finished in 2007, with dozens of domes and one of the largest hand-knotted carpets in the world. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times, with a dress code.
- 4
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The ribbed blue dome of Gur-e-Amir covers the tomb of Timur, built in the early 1400s. Its design influenced later Mughal tombs in India. Samarkand's Registan square is a short walk away.
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Plan it
- Best time
- Spring and autumn suit all four. Zhangjiajie is clearest after rain, the Faroe Islands are mildest from June to August, and Abu Dhabi and Samarkand are most comfortable from October to April.
- How long
- A full day at Zhangjiajie, a few days in the Faroe Islands, half a day at the mosque, and two days in Samarkand.
- Getting around
- Zhangjiajie has an airport and fast trains. The Faroe Islands are best by rental car. Samarkand is linked to Tashkent by fast train.
Good to know
- At the mosque, cover arms and legs; women also cover their hair.
- In the Faroe Islands, some walking trails charge a fee to cross private land.
- Zhangjiajie's park ticket covers several days, so you can return on a clear day.
Frequently asked
Is Zhangjiajie really the place from Avatar? +
It is widely said to have inspired the floating mountains in Avatar, and one pillar was renamed after the film. The pillars are real sandstone towers in Wulingyuan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hunan, China.
Can tourists visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? +
Yes. It is open to visitors of all faiths outside prayer times, with a strict dress code. Entry is free, and visits are usually booked online in advance.
How do you get to the Faroe Islands? +
By air to Vágar airport, mainly from Copenhagen, or by ferry from Denmark. Once there, a rental car is the easiest way around, as tunnels and bridges link most islands.
