The Lost City

This city is called Epekuen, and it is found in Argentina. Its construction began in 1920 on the shore of the lagoon hot springs, and it was intended for the tourist paradise of rest. Now Epekuena not on any map, and none of the tourist trail, since it was completely destroyed by fl00d; and wiped off the face of the earth.
This is another proof of how magnificent force of nature. 30 more images after the break...

The deepest Valley in the world (Patalkot)

Green and fine-looking ranges of Satpura encircle the Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. Chhindwara is not only known for oranges, cotton and coal but its natural and scenic beauty also attracts everyone who comes here for the first time. Chhindwara district is separated into four forest zones. In all, Chhindwara is a complete forest district. Patalkot is positioned in the Tamia block the district.

Patalkot is of great importance because of its geographical and scenic beauty.  The Patalkot valley is spread over an area of 79 Sq. Km. at an average height of 2750-3250 feet above Mean Sea Level from 22.24 to 22.29 ° North and 78.43 to 78.50 ° East. The valley is located at a distance of 78 km from Chhindwara in the North-West direction and 20 km from Tamia in the North-East Direction. 'Doodhi' river flows in the picturesque valley.


There are total 12 villages and 13 hamlets with a total population of 2012 (1017 male and 995 female) in the valley. These villages are located at the distance of 2-3 km each. Main villages of the valley are: Rated, Chimtipur, Gujja Dongri, Sahra Pachgol, Harra-ka-Char, Sukhabhand, Dhurni malni, Jhiram, Palani Gaildubba, Ghatlinga, Gudichattri, Gaildubba, Kareyam, Ghana, etc. Gonds and Bharias are the main inhabitant of this gorge.  This horse –shoe shaped valley is surrounded by giant hills and there are several pathways to reach the villages located inside the valley.

'Patalkot' name comes from Sanskrit word "Patal" that means very deep. There is a belief that after worshipping 'Lord Shiva', Prince 'Meghnath' had gone to Patal-lok through this place only. People say that Kings ruled this place in 18th and 19th Century and that there was a long tunnel connecting this place to 'Pachmarhi' in Hoshangabad District. 

Patalkot is a home to a tribal culture skilled at using the forest plants to make effective medicines. The Patalkot forest is so well hidden that people on the outside did not even know it ever existed. The modern world has been completely unaware of its existence. Now there are increasing threats of deforestation and exploitation of the people there. The natives (Bharias and Gonds) who live there know how to collect and grow the plants they need for food, clothing and building their homes. They know the secrets of the medicinal plants. This special skill has been passed down every generation. More than 2,000 natives live in villages scattered throughout the forest. There is a great harmony among them living in a comfortable balance, gladly helping each other, growing and collecting their own food. They are unusually skilled at making pulps and extracts of plants for curing illnesses. They have medicinal treatments for many illnesses including, measles, cholera, hypertension, diabetes, coughs, snake bites, and even pains. Patalkot was becoming famous for its treasure of medicinal plants. With the discovery Patalkot's treasures, some other things began to happen. The natives are generous with their knowledge and offer their medicinal secrets with open hearts. This is how the people there have always survived, by sharing information and supplies with each other. People who came to the forest, however, saw a way to profit from this. They brought in teams of harvesters to strip the forest for valuable herbs. They sold them outside for great profit. Important and endangered medicinal plants are at the verge of death/ extinction. And even more, whole sections of forest were cut to gain easier access to collection sites. In return, outsiders gave the tribal people portable radios that blared through the forest, frightening off wildlife and quickly replacing the communal music that bound the tribes together. This enabled the loggers to cut down the trees very easily.

I have experienced great harmony among the inhabitants of Patalkot. They love to help each other. They cook their food in a very simple and sustainable way. They use their own cultivated yields to prepare delicious food. They use pulp or extracts of plants as juice. Tribals residing here belong to 'Bharia' and 'Gond' tribes. Because of the inaccessibility of this area, the tribals of this region were totally cut off from the civilized world.  Patalkot is known for its richness of medicinal flora. This valley is covered with tropical forests, which are supposed to be rich in biodiversity. Hundreds of economically important medicinal plants are found in abundance and endemic & rare flora is also found in this valley.

The deepest Valley in the world (Patalkot) - Discovered 12 Years ago - Rediscovered by Us

Shilin Stone Forest in China

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, enjoys great fame among tourists not only because the region features a consistently warm climate, but also thanks to its wonderful vistas and landscapes. Among the most dramatic of these attractions is the Stone Forest (Shilin), known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World.' 

 

08 more images after the break...

The Stone Forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It covers an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as many other scenic spots. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan. Walking through the Stone Forest, visitors marvel at the natural stone masterpieces and are bewitched by the intricate formations. The magnificent, strange and steep landscape creates countless labyrinthine vistas, including:

Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics. Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, an underground stone forest distributed among several caves and occupying a total area of about three square kilometers (720 acres). Strange Wind Cave, composed of Penfeng Cave, Hongxi Spring and an underground river. From August to November, gales lasting two to three minutes sweep out of the cave every 30 minutes.

Long Lake is a karsts lake that is three kilometers (two miles) long but only 300 meters (zero point two miles) wide. The lake features underwater stalagmites and stalactites and a small island in the center of the water. The source of the Dadie Waterfall, Ba River, is a branch of Nanpan River. In the rainy season, up to 150 cubic meters (196 cubic yards) of water per square inch plummet down the 88 meter (288 feet) drop. Geologists say the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography. Approximately 270 million years ago - during the carboniferous period of the Paleozoic era - the region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day Stone Forest.

Many beautiful legends originate in this magical place, passed along by the native people known as Sani, a branch of the Yi ethnic group. One particular story about the faithful love of Ashima, a beautiful, clever and warm-hearted Sani girl, is the most popular and has been told for thousands of years. The Sani people celebrate their national festival - the Torch Festival - every lunar year on June 24. They take part in traditional performances such as wrestling, bull fighting, pole-climbing, dragon-playing, lion-dancing and the A-xi Moon Dance. During this time, the Stone Forest is alive with a particularly joyful, festive atmosphere, making the area even more attractive than usual. However, the Stone Forest - with its sculptures engraved by nature, herself - is always a true miracle for visitors to behold.