Otherworldly: Places That Don’t Look Like They’re on Our Earth

Fan Zhang, our Managing Director, tells us how China’s magic lies in landscapes that seem too vivid to be real, yet entirely natural.

Zhangye Danxia: Mountains Painted by Time

“Stretching across the Gansu province, Zhangye Danxia feels like a dream someone spilled across the earth in liquid pigments. Layers of sandstone and mineral deposits, compressed over 24 million years, rise in sharp ridges, rolling hills, and jagged peaks — each stripe and swirl a vivid testament to geological patience. Sunlight turns the formations into a canvas of reds, oranges, and golds, shifting by the hour and making every visit feel entirely new.”

“Walking along the viewing platforms or hiking the gentle ridges, you sense both the grandeur and the delicacy of this landscape. Certain peaks resemble the crests of waves frozen in mid-crash; others look like the back of a sleeping dragon. From above, the mountains stretch endlessly, their colors so unnatural they seem borrowed from a painter’s palette rather than forged by millennia of earth and wind.”

💡 Insider’s Inspiration: “Few know that some Yonaguni formations are completely inaccessible from land — the only way to witness them is underwater. It makes every dive feel like discovering a secret universe.” 

Jiuzhaigou: A Valley of Impossible Colors

"The first time I saw Jiuzhaigou as a young traveller, I thought: This can’t be real. Water is not supposed to be this colour. Landscapes are not supposed to be this luminous. And yet, Jiuzhaigou exists — an entire valley painted in impossible shades of turquoise, sapphire, emerald, and molten gold."

"Walking through the park feels like moving inside a living watercolor. The lakes are so clear you can see entire tree trunks perfectly preserved on the bottom, as if time simply paused. The multi-tiered waterfalls of Nuorilang and Pearl Shoal flow across wide limestone terraces that look like natural amphitheatres sculpted by some celestial architect".

"Every traveller who sees it says the same thing: It looks digitally enhanced. And still — every colour is real. Completely natural. No filters needed."

💡 Insider’s Inspiration: “The lakes’ mineral composition changes subtly with the seasons, so no two visits are alike — even locals say the valley feels like a different world each month.” 

Rachel Lee, our General Manager, shares how Japan’s otherworldly charm is found in its rare, enigmatic corners — places that feel untouched by time, brimming with mysteries… and a touch of boundary-pushing creativity you won’t want to miss.

The Yonaguni Monument: Nature, Lost Civilisation, or Both?

“When I first dove into the waters off Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island, I felt like I’d stepped off the map. Closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan, the island looks unlike anywhere else in the country. And then there it was: the Yonaguni Monument.”

“Underwater, sharp-edged steps, terraces, and angular platforms stretch into the depths — so geometric that experts debate whether they were carved by humans thousands of years ago or shaped entirely by nature. Some researchers see traces of quarry marks, staircases, and even ‘plazas’ — suggesting a ritual or ceremonial city lost to rising seas. Others point to natural sandstone fracturing, tectonic activity, and erosion as the culprits behind its uncanny symmetry. And there’s a third possibility: nature provided the canvas, and ancient humans enhanced it, leaving hints of culture in the underwater formations.”

“Whatever the origin, swimming among these terraces feels like exploring a sunken city — a space frozen in time, suspended between legend and geology. It’s a puzzle for the ages: Was it a place of worship? A lost civilisation? Or just a geological marvel designed to look impossibly deliberate?”

💡 Insider’s Inspiration: “Some formations are completely inaccessible from land — the only way to experience them is underwater. Every dive feels like discovering a secret universe.”

1st photo: coastfiles.com

TeamLab Borderlss: Where You Can Finally Warp Reality

“Ever wished you could walk inside a video game? TeamLab Borderless is that — and better.”

“When I first stepped in, it felt like loading into a next-gen game — but this world is real, and every gesture changes the landscape. Light blossoms at your fingertips, digital koi swirl at your feet, and walls undulate as if breathing with you. You don’t just observe the art — you play in it, create with it, and become part of it. By the time you leave, you’re grinning, spinning, and wondering if reality will ever feel the same again.”

“Interactivity is at its core — installations respond to your presence, not just your eyes. Every room is a new ‘level’ in an ever-shifting universe. It’s not just art; it’s a co-creation between traveller and machine, where your movements influence the world around you.”

✨ Other teamLab Experiences Across Japan

• teamLab Biovortex (Kyoto) — Opened October 2025, 10,000 sqm of amorphous sculptures, glowing spheres, and real-time morphing installations.
• teamLab Field of Wind, Rain and Sun — Open-air projections that interact with the natural landscape: nature + digital art + weather.
• teamLab Hidden Traces of Rice Terraces (Ibaraki) — Digital art woven into historic terraces, blending tradition with technology in a poetic outdoor experience.

Photos: TeamLab

🇧🇹 Bhutan

Ugyen Dorji, our General Manager, tells us how Bhutan’s magic lies in the seamless blend of spirituality, natural grandeur, and human creativity.

Phobjikha Valley and Chele La Pass: Where Nature Paints in Surreal Colours



“On winter mornings in Phobjikha Valley, it feels as though Bhutan has slipped into an alternate timeline. The entire glacial bowl glows gold, framed by deep- black ridges and topped with ribbons of rising mist. But nothing captures the valley’s dreamlike quality more than at night. The valley transforms again — under a star-studded sky, the open spaces of the valley blur the borders between world and universe. You feel as if you’re standing within the galaxy itself, part of a cosmic painting that stretches in all directions.”

“On the other side, standing on Chele La Pass feels like standing at the roof of the world. At nearly 4,000 meters, the horizon dissolves into a boundless sea of clouds, broken only by the silhouettes of sacred peaks. In spring, the slopes erupt into impossible shades of pink and red as high-altitude rhododendrons bloom — colours so vivid that travellers often ask if the photos are edited.”

“The answer is always no. Bhutan paints its own illusions.”

💡 Insider’s Inspiration: “The best time to catch the galaxy-like nights is during new moon phases — when the sky is darkest and the valley’s open spaces turn into a living canvas of stars. Bring a blanket, sip some butter tea, and let the universe feel like it’s part of your journey.”

Bhutan’s Festivals: A Living, Breathing Myth

"Bhutan’s otherworldliness isn’t limited to landscapes — it comes alive in tshechu (festivals). From Paro to Gangtey Goenpa, these celebrations feature:"

• Masked dancers representing deities and demons — each mask tells a story from Bhutanese Buddhist mythology.
• Elaborate silk and brocade costumes that honour centuries-old spiritual traditions.
• Dramatic rituals performed in courtyards and mountain amphitheatres — each performance conveys prayers for prosperity, protection, and purification.

"Watching these ceremonies is like stepping into a storybook where myth and reality collide."

💡 Insider’s Inspiration: “During festivals, some masked dancers will interact directly with the audience, offering blessings or playful gestures — a moment where you truly feel like part of the story unfolding before you.”

Why This Matters

Otherworldliness in travel isn’t about novelty — it’s about perspective. It reminds us that our planet is far stranger, more beautiful, and more astonishing than we often realise.

In Bhutan’s cloud palaces, China’s liquid colours, and Japan’s underwater enigmas, travellers confront landscapes that push the boundaries of imagination. These places don’t just look different — they make us feel different. Humbled. Inspired. Curious again.

These are the journeys we’re passionate about crafting: experiences that stay with travellers long after the passport stamps fade.

If you’re designing journeys that transport your travellers far beyond the familiar, we’d be delighted to help curate something extraordinary.

🧘 Perfect For: Explorers seeking surreal landscapes, photographers chasing the impossible, festival and cultural enthusiasts, and travellers who want to experience Earth at its most astonishing.

We hope this newsletter sparks fresh inspiration and opens new perspectives for you! Let’s explore how we can collaborate to craft your personalised packages that make a meaningful difference — enriching your travel offerings with sustainable experiences that stand out in a competitive market while meeting the growing demand for purposeful travel.

Feel free to connect with any member of our team, or click the button below to start the conversation!

DTH Travel is a Destination Management Company specialising in tailor-made holidays with a focus on authentic experiences and innovative products, keeping responsible travel at its core. We have local offices across 14 countries in Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. We have been servicing clients in the travel industry for over 65 years, and are proud to have received multiple awards for being Asia's Leading DMC.

www.dth.travel