10 Unparalleled Places to Visit Before They Disappear Forever
The Great Wall of China
The greatest thing ever built by human hands, the Great Wall is unfortunately not impervious to natural erosion and not-so-natural theft of bricks. As much as one-third of the wall has already been eradicated by harsh conditions and disregard for the value of the ancient construction.
Although it can only be expected that the wall will crumble in places (it is thousands of years old, after all) tourism and the reckless behavior of locals are also having a hefty impact on the Great Wall. If these activities continue, the Great Wall will merely be another place that will disappear soon as the remaining sections of the wall may eventually melt away, leaving nothing but scattered rubble behind.
Bonus tip: If you want to experience portions of the wall that have more “untouched” quality and fewer tourists milling about, there’s an adventure vacation for that. You’ll be able to take a hike to more remote locations along the wall.
The Maldives
It is hardly surprising that the lowest-lying country on the planet is pegged as one of the first to go underwater. With the hundreds of islands sitting just feet above sea level, rising sea waters are threatening the future of the Maldives.
So much so that the government is reportedly looking at purchasing land in other countries to give their citizens a place to live when the sea finally swallows up the islands. Better bump a visit to these islands up your bucket list to get in a trip before they are gone forever.
For an inside look at how some of the country's best alcoholic beverages are made — and for the chance to sample them — these brewery tours are top notch.
Kilimanjaro’s Icy Cap
Ice has no place in a world that is slowly heating up. The icy summit of Kilimanjaro is quietly slipping away, and within 20 years the mountain may stand naked.
The iconic Kilimanjaro, rising bold and alone from Africa’s grasslands, is famed for its snowy peak. It makes a striking sight against a hot, blue African sky, so it is no wonder that it is one of the continent’s most recognizable landmarks.
One-third of the ice cap has vanished into thin air in the last decade, so if the blanket of white on the Roof of Africa is a sight you dream of seeing, don’t wait much longer.
