Top 10 Most Unusual Wildlife Sanctuaries

This national park in Taiwan is home to a stunning marble-walled gorge carved by the Liwu River. The park's unique rock formations are the result of millions of years of erosion and have created a diverse ecosystem with over 2,000 plant species and more than 120 bird species. The Taroko National Park Gorge has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The park's most iconic feature is the Swallow Grotto, a massive cave that has become a popular tourist destination.

Located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, this forest is home to over 600 species of bamboo and covers an area of approximately 20 acres. The forest is so dense that visitors have reported being surrounded by the sound of rustling bamboo. Sagano Bamboo Forest has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. The forest's unique landscape was created during Japan's Edo period, when it was used for rituals and ceremonies.

This national park in Croatia is known for its breathtaking turquoise lakes and waterfalls that cascade into each other. The park features 16 interconnected lakes and more than 90 waterfalls, covering an area of approximately 170 square miles. Plitvice Lakes National Park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The park's most impressive feature is the Veliki Slap waterfall, which drops over 100 feet into Lake Korana.

Located in Bolivia, South America, this vast salt flat creates a surreal landscape of white and mirror-like reflections during the rainy season. The salt flats are so vast that they cover over 4,000 square miles. Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. The name "Salar" comes from the Quechua language, meaning "salt lake." 5. Red Beach - Located in Panjin, China, this beach is known for its vibrant red seaweed that covers the sand and creates a striking visual effect during the fall season. The seaweed is created by specialized microalgae that turn red when exposed to high levels of saltwater. Red Beach has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2009. The area's unique ecosystem supports over 500 plant species, including the rare Yellow-bridled Grasshopper.

Located in Ethiopia, Africa, this volcanic region is known for its extreme heat and toxic gases that create an otherworldly landscape. The depression features multiple volcanoes, hot springs, and a vast salt lake called Lake Afrera. Danakil Depression has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. The area's unique geology supports over 30 species of microorganisms that are capable of surviving in extreme environments.

Located in China, this park is known for its towering sandstone pillars and unique limestone formations that inspired the fictional Hallelujah Mountains from the movie Avatar. The park features over 3,000 hectares of forest and multiple caves. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. The park's most famous feature is the Tianzi Peak, which rises over 1,500 feet above sea level.

Located in Indonesia, this island is home to multiple active volcanoes that create a unique and extreme landscape of volcanic rock formations. The island features multiple geysers, hot springs, and a saltwater lake called Lake Toba. Danajod Volcanic Island has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. The area's unique ecosystem supports over 30 species of endemic plants that are found nowhere else on Earth.

Located in Belize, Central America, this massive underwater sinkhole is over 300 feet deep and 1,000 feet in diameter. The hole was created by the collapse of a cave system during the last ice age. Great Blue Hole has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Visitors can explore the hole on guided tours and see an array of marine life, including sharks and rays.

Located in Madagascar, Africa, this park is known for its unique limestone karst landscape created by millions of years of erosion. The park features multiple canyons, gorges, and a network of razor-sharp spines that resemble a "tsingy" rock formation. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Visitors must use specialized equipment to traverse the park's unique landscape and is one of the most remote national parks in the world.