Visit These Destinations Before They’re Gone Forever, Maldives & Taj Mahal Too!

You may have to scrape off these places from your bucket list even though you haven’t visited them yet. Why, you ask? Well, because they will cease to exist real soon. Still wanna wait for the right moment to plan a trip? Well, don’t. Pack up and check out all these gorgeous places to visit before they disappear…forever!

WARNING: Make sure you grab a box of tissues before you scroll down!

26 Breathtaking & Popular Places To Visit Before They Disappear

We bet you’ll refuse to believe at first that these places will disappear pretty soon. Once you’re done weeping, make sure to book your tickets to your favorite destination right away.

26. Jakarta – Indonesia

Excessive groundwater pumping has been causing the sea water to seep into the mainland, and the rising of population in the coastal areas only aggravated the situation. Another reason is poor structural planning and overpopulation. Currently, about 47.2 million people are living in the dangerous coasts of Indonesia’s fast sinking capital.

Best Time To Visit: July-October

Must Read: 15 Places For Shopping In Jakarta That Will Give You A Shopaholic’s High!

25. Komodo Island – Indonesia

The home of the deadly Komodo Dragons, this Indonesian island has some of the most awesome diving spots in the world. The island is enriched with spectacular coral reefs and fish, adding to its beauty and natural diversity. Wondering what landed it in the list of the top places to visit before they disappear? Well, environmentalists say the reef will soon succumb to the growing acidification and rising temperatures.

Best Time To Visit: September to November

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24. Majuli Island – India

The once largest river island with a stretch of 1200 sq km, Majuli Island is now less than a miserable 400 sq km. Disastrous flooding and massive erosions have led to the submerging of the island. Don’t miss this melt-pot of Assamese culture and stunning beauty. It might just be a mention in the books very soon.

23. The Dead Sea – Jordan

Saying ‘the Dead Sea is dying’ may sound funny to some, but the situation is far from it. The Dead Sea has long allowed people to “magically” float over its water that is high in salt content. In addition, it also has various curative properties that draw people here. But all of that will soon be gone thanks to rapidly falling water levels (3 ft per year!) and the emerging sinkholes.

22. Amazon Rainforest – South America

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and is home to over 20% of the world’s bird species. It is so enormous that many regions, as well as species of flora and fauna inside the forest, still remain undiscovered. The sad part is, they may always remain undiscovered with the present rate of deforestation, global warming, mining, and forest fires in Amazon that are causing these forests to slowly erode away. We bet you were already aware of these reasons that have made Amazon one of those many places you need to visit before they disappear, weren’t you?

Location: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, France (French Guiana)

21. Madagascan Rainforest – Madagascar

The humongous island nation in Africa that is home to peculiar species like lemurs, chameleons, and giraffe weevils might not be there for a long time. Owing to multitudes of forest fires and mass deforestation, this mecca for nature and wildlife lovers is predicted to only last as long as the next 30 years.

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20. Olympia – Greece

It may not be one of those famous places to visit before they disappear, but Olympia has had a major contribution in shaping the history of the world. Every history geek’s first love, the ancient city of Olympia is Greece’s top archaeological sites. It also is the site where the first-ever Olympic Games were held in 776 BC. This prehistoric city has fallen prey to rampant wildfires in recent years caused by hot and dry summers and low rainfall levels that are even threatening to destroy the ancient ruins here.

19. Galápagos Islands – Ecuador

It was this very island that had helped Charles Darwin understand where humans came from. And now it is these humans and their callous ways that are set to destroy this paradise. Owing to a rising population and four busy airports, it’ll soon be time to bid farewell to this beautiful land that is home to a humongous range of plant, animal, and bird species.

18. Salar de Uyuni – Bolivia

Attracting travelers and photographers with its unique mirror-like surface, these are the largest and most enchanting salt flats on earth. But this picture-perfect land is facing near-destruction as the Bolivian government is indiscriminately extracting lithium reserves from under it.

17. Bangladesh – Asia

Just a meter rise in sea level, and we could lose 50% of Bangladesh to water. Researchers say that in the next 30 years, we might not get to visit the beauty of Bangladesh at all. Owing to its rich culture and heritage, it is among the best places to visit before they disappear for Indians.

16. Swiss Alps – Europe

The European Alps sit at a lower altitude than the Rocky Mountains, and their glaciers and ski resorts are more susceptible to the effects of global warming.

15. Franz Josef Glacier – South Island, New Zealand

While it may still be a less explored gem in New Zealand, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the most breathtaking glaciers in the world. But not for long! Glaciers around the world have been sinking since 2000 and have lessened by 38% on average has, losing 25% of their land area.

14. South Australia

Desertification is threatening this gorgeous piece of land. Dried up water resources parched landscapes add to the threat. Visit the beauty before rapid wildfires and depleting ecosystem eat up this gorgeous region in the next 35 years.

13. North Africa

The Sahara Desert in northern Africa is growing at an alarming rate of 0.8 kilometers per month. Just pray it doesn’t consume the whole of North Africa in the next 35 years, as claimed by researchers. It would be a shame if we lost it, to the wrath of nature.

12. Northern Tundra – Alaska

Did you know that the stunning beauty of Alaskan Tundra is short-lived? It is proved that global warming affects the Arctic twice as harsh as the rest of the world, landing this paradise in this list of places to see before they disappear. You just have to visit it to realize how somber it will be to lose such a beauty at the hands of global warming.

11. Glacier National Park – Montana

These enchanting glaciers might not be there in the next 15 years. They have decreased from a huge 150 to a dipping 25 in the last 80 years. As per research, it could be completely gone in the next 15 years. Such a loss of beauty!

Location: Montana, United States

10. The Sundarbans – India & Bangladesh

Apart from being a beautiful network of mangroves, the Sundarbans also provide shelter to a wide variety of endangered species, including tigers. You think it’s one single reason that’s taking away our beautiful wealth of forests in western India? Nope! Factors like constant erosion, deforestation, pollution, poaching, and unchecked extraction of fossil fuels are all together causing rising water levels here.

Best Time To Visit: Sep-Mar

9. The Pyramids – Egypt

The Pyramids Of Giza, along with The Sphinx, are on everybody’s bucket list. But not for long, as this massive Wonder of the World is facing a major threat. Sewage and pollution are slowly eroding the plates that they stand on, and if the required steps aren’t taken in time, these structures might collapse.

8. Great Wall Of China

The heritage site which has been conserved well for over 2000 years, is now at the verge of turning into just dilapidated ruins. Over-farming and air-pollution are the main reasons. You have got just less than 20 years to visit this beautiful display of craftsmanship.

Location: Huairou District, China

7. Mount Kilimanjaro – Tanzania

In the last 90 years, Kilimanjaro’s ice sheet has reduced by a gigantic 85%. It is said that it might not be there at all in the next 20 years. Buckle up and plan the trip, you really wouldn’t want to miss this charisma.

6. The Seychelles – Africa

Seychelles has been a ‘dream destination’ for many, but with the ongoing trend, it may just forever stay in our dreams only. Rising water levels are causing the islands to slowly sink, also killing the corals in the process. These group of islands has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, along with a bizarre set of flora and fauna including the Giant Tortoises, all of which will be gone once these islands sink. It is one of those unique and special places to visit before they disappear that you must not miss at any cost.

Best Time To Visit: April to May and September – October

5. The Grand Canyon – Arizona

Oh yes! We’d soon lose the Grand Canyon too if tourist activities continue at the current rate. There are also talks of building a tramway here to carry 10,000 tourists to and fro. With all these “developments” happening over the canyon, we might have to bid goodbye to this stunning creation of nature sooner than we expected.

4. The Great Barrier Reef – Australia

The size of this world’s largest coral reef has decreased by more than 50% of its original size. Now imagine these vibrantly colorful corals suddenly turned white. Phew, what a grief it would be. Visit before we lose it completely in the next 15 years.

Location: Queensland, Australia
Best Time To Visit: June to November

3. Maldives – Asia

The Maldives, besides being a country of heavenly beauty, can earn another title! It could be the first country to submerge in the ocean due to global warming. It’s the only country in the world with an average of 2.3-meter ground level and 1.4 meters above sea level. Bet, you didn’t know this? Hurry up, because your dream holiday destination might not be there in the next 20 years.

Best Time To Visit: Mid December – April

2. Venice – Italy

It’s no longer a secret that the romantic city, Venice, is slowly submerging. Its dramatic canals are sinking. Now if you miss this, it would be blasphemous. No more gondola rides, no more cozying up in the water canals, no more romantic evenings in the water in the next 20 years. The loss to the romantic world will be irreplaceable.

Best Time To Visit: April, May, September and October

1. Taj Mahal – India

While this may come as a surprise to many, the world’s favorite symbol of love too won’t last long. Factors like corrosion, pollution, and continued exposure to acid rain has weakened its structure. It has been predicted that the base of the Taj Mahal will collapse in the next 50 years, reducing the gorgeous structure to nothing but a pile of white debris.

Location: Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001

Further Read: Diwali Celebration In India: An Extensive Guide To The Festival Of Lights

Hurry already! Or you may never know what it is like to have seen these beautiful places with your own eyes! Take a trip to as many of these places to visit before they disappear forever. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to be a responsible traveler and do your bit to save them.

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Kanika Saxena

Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.