12 Epic Travel Destinations for Fans of Fantasy and Science Fiction

14. Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China: Pandora on Earth

With over 3,000 vertical sandstone pillars rising dramatically from the forested valleys below, Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Hunan Province looks like a landscape imagined by an alien mind. These towering spires, some over 650 feet high, inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron’s Avatar, and it’s easy to see why. When early morning fog coils around the peaks, and the lush greenery clings to the rocks, the entire region feels suspended in time and gravity—a world where banshees might soar and bioluminescent plants might glow beneath the canopy. The park’s network of skywalks, glass-bottomed bridges, and cable cars allow visitors to traverse the canyons and cliffs in breathtaking fashion. The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the longest and highest of its kind, stretches across a dramatic gorge, offering a thrilling glimpse into the depths below. The experience feels less like a hike and more like an epic quest across the surface of another world. Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi films, fantasy landscapes, or simply in search of Earth’s most alien-like wonders, Wulingyuan offers a rare chance to walk through a dream rendered real.