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Five endangered places you should see now, before they're gone

by Martha Edwards (RSS feed) on Oct 27th 2007 at 10:51AM

If you knew a place was going to disappear soon, even if it wasn't one of your top must-see destinations, would you visit it just in case you regretted never seeing it later on? Our brand-new sister blog, the Green Daily, recently published this post on vacation destinations that are on the brink of being extinct. A word to the wise: see them now or you might never get a chance. Here's what made the list:

Traditional China: Sadly, many Chinese landmarks and artifacts have fallen victim to the Yangtze River Valley damming project, which has flooded many traditional places along the historic body of water. And more of China is disappearing each day, particularly in the Yunnan province.
The San Rafael Glacier, Chile: Glaciers are one tragic victim of this thing we call global warming, and they're literally turning to water before our eyes. See this one before it disappears.
Quirky Caribbean: When you go to the Caribbean these days, chances are you'll see very little of the actual culture of this amazing destination -- but you'll see a lot of your all-inclusive resort! Travel outside the box and experience the culture in all it's glory. Sure, the booze doesn't flow like water in the real Caribbean, but you'll have a much more rewarding experience. And you'll be helping preserve this vibrant, dynamic culture.
Red Sand Dunes, Namibia: Tourism and recreation are quickly eroding this naturally beautiful spot. For a one-of-a-kind experience, see these dunes before they're gone for good.
Village Culture in Romania: Romania's mountain villages for up in the alps are a place where tourists can be transported back in time -- people even still use carts and horses for transportation! But joining the European Union is sure to have a deep impact on these quaint communities.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Ecotourism