There are more ancient cities now underwater than you might imagine. Over the years, some of these submerged civilizations have been explained. Others, however, have remained mysteries. Thanks to modern-day technology, we have the ability to see them and bring them to life again. Here then, without further adieu, are 10 of the most mysterious underwater cities of the ancient world.

1. Dwarka, India

Dwarka is referenced in the Hindus’ holy book. This once “mythological” metropolis was thought to have been built by none other than Lord Krishna 5000 years ago. It was also thought to have many palaces.

Many were said to have been made with precious silver and gold. Its ruins were more recently discovered by the famous National Institute of Ocean Technology in the Gulf of Khambhat. Using carbon dating, researchers determined that this ancient city is approximately 9,000 years old. Today it’s one of India’s biggest tourist attractions.

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2. Shicheng, China

Also known as “the Lion City,” this place was thought to be at least 1300 years old. In 1959 the city was flooded because the government was constructing a dam on the famous Xin’an River. The end result was the Qiandao Lake.
Shicheng was constructed in 25-200 AD during the Eastern Hand Dynasty. It’s ancient buildings and other structures are thus highlighted by rich Chinese craftsmanship. Indeed, it features several stone structures, five gates, and 265 memorial arches. Because the diving routes have aren’t fully mapped, only trained divers are permitted to visit.
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3. Gulf of Cambay, India

This ancient city is located nearly 4.m under the sea. The research team discovered this mysterious metropolis as an accidental result of their study of the amount of water pollution there in 2002. It is thought to be 5,000 years old. A team of divers discovered beads, sculptures, and pieces of pottery there. Scientists believe this place must have once been situated in a coastal area that was engulfed by rising ocean water after numerous glaciers melted during the last ice age.
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4. Pavlopetri, Greece

Discovered back in 1967, the true name of this sunken city still remains unknown. Scientists believe that whatever it was called, it was part of Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula prior to sinking roughly 5,000 years ago. Divers discovered an entire community from streets to tombs in a place considered by some to be a Mycenaean civilization. Other archaeologists believe the city could actually be part of a Minoan civilization. Indeed, at last report, the undersea site was being studied by teams from both the University of Nottingham and the University of Cambridge.
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5. Olous, Greece

Many snorkelers and divers have already explored the ruins of the ancient city of Olous. It is believed to once have been on the northeastern end of Crete. It was reportedly home to between 30,000 and 40,000 people.
One ancient outer wall remains above water level. In fact, floors, murals, and coins have also been discovered there. The research team thinks that an extremely powerful earthquake may have caused the city to drop beneath the waves.
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6. Thonis or Heracleion, Greece

Whether one calls it Thonis or Heracleion, experts say that this underwater city is one of the oldest cities known to man. Over the years it has become the subject or setting of many different legends. One such legend claims that the god Hercules was named Heracleion because of Hercules’ visit to the city.
Helen of Troy also was said to have visited the city. Founded some time in the 8th Century BC, it once played an important religious role because it was here that the temple of Amun was built. Natural catastrophes are blamed for its submersion.
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7. Lake Titicaca’s Temple, Peru

Lake Titicaca is one of the world’s highest lakes. Locals consider it to be sacred. The Akakor Geographical diving team found a number of different walls, roads, and terraces in this 1500-year-old underwater city.
They also discovered a temple that was originally 200 meters high. Experts are still uncertain as to what sunk this city. It’s also referred to as Also known as “the Birthplace of the Incas.” Inca mythology reports that the first Inca king, Manco Capac, was born at this lake. Also known as “the Birthplace of the Sun”, because local legend has it that the god Viracocha rose from this spot to create the stars, the sun, and the first humans.
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8. The Pyramid of Yonaguni, Japan

The Pyramid of Yonaguni was discovered in 1985. Located in one of the world’s greatest lost submerged cities, this monument was found by dive tour operator Kihachiro Aratake. Archaeologists have examined the man-made pyramid and have determined it is part of the fabled lost Pacific civilization known as Mu.
Researchers report the structure is 10,000 years old. It has a design similar to that of pyramids in Central America. The rock formation is called “Jacques eyes” or “the face” because it looks like a huge head.
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9. Heracleion, Egypt

Also known as Thonis-Heracleion, this mysterious metropolis is reported to be more than 1,200 years old. Sunken off the northern coast of Egypt, it was originally located close to the Canopic Mouth of the famous Nile River. It is one of the oldest places in the Mediterranean. Divers have found numerous things including coins, anchors and a stele. Everything discovered there in inscribed in Egyptian or ancient Greek. Often mentioned by a number of Greek historians, it grew in importance during the final days of the famous Pharaohs.
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10. Port Royal, Jamaica

Founded by the Spanish in the year 1518, the village of Port Royal is situated in Kingston Harbor. Once famous for privateers and pirates alike, it currently includes 2000 buildings and four different forts. Once the largest city in the entire Caribbean, it was reportedly built partially on silt. It is believed that a big earthquake and accompanying tsunami on June 7 in 1692 was responsible for sinking a significant portion of the original city into the Caribbean.

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The world’s fascination with China harkens more than 700 years when it was discovered by explorer Marco Polo. Today, its current combination of ancient Chinese secrets and ultra-modern development has only fueled the fires of interest. So without further adieu, here is our list of the top 15 tourist attractions in China.

1. The Great Wall Of China

This ancient structure runs over 6,000 kilometers from Shanhaiguan to Jiayuguan. The average height of the wall is between six and eight meters. Some sections are as high as 16 meters. In some places, the wall is wide enough for 10 men to pass. Complete with watchtowers, portions of this structure harken back to the 7th century (BC).

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2. The Forbidden City, Beijing

Also known as the Imperial Palace, this is the biggest building in China. Construction began between 1271 and 1368 during the Yuan Dynasty. Much of what you’ll see today wasn’t built until some time between 1406 and 1420. The complex covers an area of 720,000 square meters. It’s secured by a moat, watchtowers, and a 10-meter-high wall.

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3. Terracotta Army

Discovered in the 1970s outside of Xi’an, the Terracotta Army is the country’s most significant archeological discovery. Found in a trio of underground pits, they were put there to guard the tomb of the first emperor. It includes over 8,000 life-size soldiers, over 100 chariots, 520 horses and several civilian characters from approximately 280 BC.
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4. Imperial Summer Palace

15 kilometers out of Beijing is the Imperial Summer Palace or “Yíhé Yuán.” Ensconced amidst 700+ acres of beautiful parkland, the palace was erected in 1153. In the 1300s a big lake was created to accent the popular Imperial Gardens. You’ll also find the Great Theatre and the Renshou Dian (Hall of Well-being and Longevity).

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5. Cruise The Li River

The Li River has made the beautiful town of Guilin famous. The river flows through here and into the Karst Mountains. The subject of numerous legends and fairy tales, the river can best be enjoyed by boat. The best stretch is from Yangshuo to Guilin. Here the river runs through interesting caves and rock formations.

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6. The Research Base Of Giant Panda Breeding

You cannot go to China without seeing a panda! The best place for a panda experience is the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding found in Chengdu in the Sichuan province. You’ll observe up to 80 pandas doing what they do naturally be foraging to having fun in the center’s huge park-like environment.

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7. Yangtze River & Three Gorges

The Chinese call it Chang Jiang (“Long River”). It stretches for over 6,000 kilometers. It’s the world’s third longest river. The Yangtze runs from Tibet to Shanghai. It has served as the country’s major transportation route for over 2,000 years. The most popular tourist spots here are the beautiful Three Gorges, Xiling, Wu, and Qutang.

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8. Classical Gardens Of Suzhou

Established in the 11th century, the impressive Classical Gardens of Suzhou in Jiangsu province is one of the most important and historic gardens on the planet. In fact, it is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous garden there is the Garden of Lingering which was designed in 1800. This complex also includes over 300 engraved stone tablets.

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9. Potala Palace, Tibet

Located in the little town of Lhasa in Tibet, the estate was built to be both a residence for the Dalai Lama and a military fortress. The first of the two historic buildings was the Red Palace and was built in the 1600s. It holds many important shrines. The White Palace was erected in 1648 and featured bedrooms and reception rooms.

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10. The Bund

Also known as Wàitan, this riverside promenade in Shanghai was once an international settlement. Stroll along this French and English-influenced pedestrian zone and experience the European feel and runs along the well-known Huangpu Jiang River. The atmosphere here will make you forget you’re actually in the center of the country’s biggest city. (Shanghai is home to more than 24 million people!)

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11. Hangzhou’s West Lake

Hangzhou is home to a great number of ancient temples and other historic sites. Many of the sites can be found around West Lake. It spans an area of six kilometers deep in the old city. See the surrounding temples and pagodas. The five areas here are divided by man-made causeways that harken back as far as the 11th century.

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12. The Mausoleum Of Light

Ensconced in the mountainous northeastern region you’ll find Shenyang, the home of the famous Zhaoling or Mausoleum of Light. Also called the Northern Imperial Tomb, it took eight years to complete. The mausoleum spreads out over 180,000 square meters and its architectural style blends castle-like structures of the Qing period with the look of traditional Chinese burial sites.

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13. The Leshan Giant Buddha

The famous Chinese saying: “The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain” is generally credited to this 71-meter high Leshan Giant Buddha. Once you stand before this towering UNESCO World Heritage Site you’ll understand what the quote means. Construction on this rock-hewn religious icon began back in 713 AD. It would not be finished for another nine decades.

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14. Hong Kong Skyline

Arguably one of the most dramatic skylines in the world, Hong Kong is perhaps best distinguished by its combination of towering skyscrapers and the high hills that frame them. For Decades now it has been the area’s capital of commerce and finance. The best place to see the cityscape (especially at night) is from the impressive Victoria Peak located on Hong Kong Island.

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15. The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

This is the beautiful place that inspired James Cameron’s big box office hit, Avatar. Oddly, it is one of the lesser known places to see in China. Marvel at its individualistic alien-like rock formations. (The tallest of which rises up 1,080-meters high is now known as “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain”). Don’t forget to ride the Bailong Elevator 326 meters up in less than two minutes.

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Are you tired of ordinary hotels?  How’d you like to check in some place completely different?  From futuristic pods to Hobbit-like holes, here are several unusual places to stay around the world.

The Jetstar, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

If you really enjoy planes then this place is the best place for you!  Presently grounded at Redberth close to Tenby, the Jetstar is an airplane from the 1970s that once transported as many as nine passengers.  Today airplane aficionados can spend the night there.

This unique, self-catered accommodation includes a single bed, a double bed, and a big leather couch on which someone can sleep.  Veteran visitors say it is a great place for couples or even couples with two kids.  You can even play pilot thanks to the cockpit’s Xbox.

Collective Governors Island, New York City, US

If you’d like to take in New York City’s distinctive skyline, you don’t have to book a high-rise hotel room.  If you want a memorable night in the famous “Big Apple”, stay at Collective Governors Island. Situated on a decommissioned, historic military base (Governors Island), this glamping spot offers incredible views of the Manhattan shore, the New York harbor, and the famous Statue of Liberty.  Enjoy eating dinner at the campground’s restaurant and some s’mores for dessert at a cozy communal campfire.  Don’t forget to see the city too. 

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