Recently, the UK travel magazine *Wanderlust* ranked Vietnam's Son Doong Cave among the nine "surreal" destinations in the world, making visitors feel as if they are "lost on another planet." This recognition was published at the end of March. According to the magazine, for those who dream of exploring outer space but haven't had the chance, destinations with such surreal beauty are worth pursuing.
"It is difficult to imagine the immense size of Son Doong, the world's largest cave. With a length of nearly 9 km and a wide ceiling, Son Doong can accommodate an entire New York City block inside and still have room to spare," the magazine noted. Some of the world's tallest stalactites, over 80 meters tall, are found here, along with a unique underground river system.
Son Doong Cave is not only a paradise for explorers but also serves as the backdrop for Alan Walker's music video "Alone, Part II," the BBC's *Planet Earth* series, and many other famous TV shows. Visitors wishing to explore the cave must register for a tour. Currently, the number of tours is limited to minimize environmental impact, so booking is required at least a year in advance.
In addition to being a haven for adventure enthusiasts, Son Doong Cave has earned recognition as the world's largest natural cave by Guinness World Records in 2013, and it was further acknowledged as the largest by volume in 2015. To commemorate the anniversary of Son Doong being declared the world's largest cave in 2022, Google Doodle featured the cave on its homepage in 18 countries.
Other destinations that made the *Wanderlust* list include Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland), Lencois Maranhenses National Park (Brazil), Socotra (Yemen), Namibia, White Sands National Park (New Mexico, USA), Puna de Atacama (Argentina), Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (Madagascar), and Salar de Uyuni salt flats (Bolivia).