In a recent feature by Wanderlust, renowned travel writer Dianne Apen-Sadler has included Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh, Vietnam, on a list of the most “surreal places on Earth”  -  destinations so otherworldly, visitors might feel as if they’ve stepped onto a different planet.

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Photo: Ryan Deboodt

According to Dianne, for those dreaming of a journey beyond Earth, these earthly wonders offer the closest experience to exploring another world.

Vietnam's Son Doong  -  officially recognized as the largest cave in the world  -  is one such place. Stretching nearly 9 kilometers in length, the cave is so vast it could house an entire New York City block, with room to spare.

It features some of the tallest stalagmites ever recorded, soaring up to 80 meters, alongside an underground river that winds its way through the cave’s depths.

“Visitors can join multi-day expeditions to explore the cave, but due to strict visitor limits, tours typically must be booked a year in advance,” the Wanderlust writer noted.

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Photo: Ryan Deboodt

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Photo: Ryan Deboodt


Experts estimate that Son Doong was formed around 2.3 million years ago, when a massive river eroded a series of fault lines in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Thanks to its unique microclimate  -  enriched by abundant rainfall and natural light filtering in through ceiling collapses  -  the cave supports a rich ecosystem of rare flora and fauna.

Son Doong Cave was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2009 as the largest cave in the world. At the time, experts noted the cave might be even larger than currently measured, as many sections remain unexplored.

In addition to Son Doong, Wanderlust’s list features other otherworldly destinations such as Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil, and the remote island of Socotra in Yemen.

Do An