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Famous Global Attractions That Don’t Exist Anymore

Famous Global Attractions That Don’t Exist Anymore

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Decades-old temperature records are being broken all over the U.S. this month. The heatwave is stretching from central to eastern portions of the country in what could be a deadly event. Some experts are attributing the unusual weather patterns to climate change. Whatever the cause, there is plenty of evidence that the world we live in is changing. Our planet is constantly evolving – sometimes the changes are directly caused by humans (as during conflicts) and at other times nature takes the upper hand.

Sadly, many historic tourist attractions that people flocked to see are no longer around. All future generations can do is look at photographs of what were once spectacular sights. The following tourist attractions have succumbed to weather, natural disasters, finances, vandalism, war, or lack of interest. There are even more such places closer to home that you can check out in the iconic U.S. attractions that no longer exist.

Ayutthaya (Thailand)

Source: tohr / Flickr

Source: tohr / Flickr
The Burmese military burned the city of Ayutthaya.
  • Attraction: Second Siamese Kingdom capital called Ayutthaya founded in 1350
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1767
  • What made it disappear: Burned to the ground by Burmese militar

Azure Window (Malta)

Azure window on Gozo island. Beautiful sea view. Malta's Iconic Azure Window. The site of the landmark. beautiful arch in the sea.
Source: Kristina Moskovets / Shutterstock.com

Source: Kristina Moskovets / Shutterstock.com
Natural landmarks are subject to the same forces that created them.
  • Attraction: Malta’s iconic landmark the Azure Window (limestone arch)
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2017
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by a storm

Buddhas of Bamiyan (Afghanistan)

Caves in the cliffs near Bamyan (Bamiyan), Afghanistan. Local Afghan people still live in the caves. The caves are in cliffs where the Bamyan (Bamiyan) Buddhas used to stand. UNESCO site Afghanistan.
Source: Jono Photography / Shutterstock.com

Source: Jono Photography / Shutterstock.com
Destroyed in 2001 by the Taliban, the largest Buddha of Bamiyan stood nearly 180 feet tall.
  • Attraction: Two Buddha statues measuring 180.4 feet (55 meters) and 124.6 (38 meters) high
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2001
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by Taliban forces

Chacaltaya Glacier (Bolivia)

Source: sfupamr / Flickr

Source: sfupamr / Flickr
The Chacaltaya Glacier disappeared in 2009 as a result of increased melting.
  • Attraction: Chacaltaya Glacier, Bolivian Andes
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2009
  • What made it disappear: Climate change

Crystal Palace (England)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Crystal Palace was never rebuilt after multiple fires destroyed it.
  • Attraction: Crystal Palace, London
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1866 and 1936
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by fire – twice

Duckbill Rock (United States)

The Duckbill Rock, Sandstone hoodoo rock, Cape Kiwanda, Tillamook County, Oregon
Source: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

Source: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com
Duckbill Rock was a staple that saddened everyone who heard about its demise at the hands of vandals.
  • Attraction: Duckbill Rock, Oregon, U.S.
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2016
  • What made it disappear: Vandals pushed it over

Guairá Falls (Brazil and Paraguay)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Itaipu Dam’s reservoir completely submerged the falls, which were some of the biggest in the world.
  • Attraction: Guairá Falls (375 feet high) between Paraguay and Brazil
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2004
  • What made it disappear: Submerged when hydroelectric dam increased capacity

Jonah’s Tomb (Iraq)

Old antique jew male prayer hope live hand drawn wild giant big huge marine beast open jaw help Israelit human alive. Retro Hebrew pray god Christ Nineveh cartoon sketch art style white sky text space
Source: ArtMari / Shutterstock.com

Source: ArtMari / Shutterstock.com
The prophet Jonah is said to have been swallowed by a whale.
  • Attraction: Tomb of prophet Jonah (Bible and Koran)
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2014
  • What made it disappear: Blown up by ISIS

Joshua Trees (United States)

Source: KiskaMedia / iStock via Getty Images

Source: KiskaMedia / iStock via Getty Images
The world’s largest yucca plant grows in the shape of a tree.
  • Attraction: Millions of Joshua trees in California’s Mojave National Park’s Cima Dome
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2020
  • What made it disappear: Huge fire

California’s Mojave National Park’s Cima Dome was once home to millions of Joshua trees. Lightning caused a massive wildfire in 2020 that spread quickly. In less than a day, the fire covered 16,000 acres and was at 43,273 acres before it was contained. That fire destroyed 1.3 million trees and attempts to plant seedlings haven’t been successful.

Old Summer Palace (China)

View of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China
Source: Dongweiming / Shutterstock.com

Source: Dongweiming / Shutterstock.com
Although most of the Old Summer Palace is gone, some of the ruins are still visible.
  • Attraction: Old Summer Palace, Beijing, China
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1860
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by British troops

Palmyra (Syria)

The Bel Temple in Palmyra, Syria, is an ancient architectural marvel. Majestic columns and intricate carvings adorn its facade, reflecting a blend of Roman and Semitic influences. The temple, dedicate
Source: Cardinal illustration / Shutterstock.com

Source: Cardinal illustration / Shutterstock.com
The city of Palmyra contained the Temple of Bel.
  • Attraction: Palmyra, Syrian Desert
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2015 and 2017
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by ISIS

Pink and White Terraces (New Zealand)

Old illustration of Te-Tarata (Pink and White Terraces, then buried by Mount Tawarera's eruption in 1886), New Zeland. By unknown author, published on L'Eau, by G. Tissandier, Hachette, Paris, 1873
Source: Marzolino / Shutterstock.com

Source: Marzolino / Shutterstock.com
The Pink and White Terraces were called Otukapuarangi, the Fountain of the Clouded Sky, and Te Tarata, The Tattooed Rock, by the Maori.
  • Attraction: Collection of silica sinter deposits
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1886
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera

Pont des Arts (France)

The hundreds of thousands of romantically love inscribed padlocks on the Pont Des Arts Bridge, Paris France.
Source: NigelSpiers / Shutterstock.com

Source: NigelSpiers / Shutterstock.com
Once heavy enough to damage the footbridge, authorities have taken steps to prevent a repeat.
  • Attraction: Pont des Arts, aka Love-Lock Bridge, Paris
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1984
  • What made it disappear: Altered to prevent locks added due to weight causing damage

Royal Opera House of Valletta (Malta)

Ordnance street with the ruins of the demolished Opera House at Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square) with the baroque water well at the wall of the House of the Annona in Valletta, Malta
Source: laranik / Shutterstock.com

Source: laranik / Shutterstock.com
World War II finally destroyed the building, when it was converted into an outdoor theater.
  • Attraction: Valletta Royal Opera House in Malta
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1873
  • What made it disappear: Partially destroyed by fire

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (England)

London's Globe Theatre
Source: Lance Bellers / Shutterstock.com

Source: Lance Bellers / Shutterstock.com
The original is long gone, but the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre stands.
  • Attraction: Shakespeare’s original Globe Theater, London
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1613 and 1644
  • What made it disappear: Destroyed by fire, re-built, then demolished to make room for housing

Sutro Baths (United States)

A man standing on ruins of Sutro Baths and watching the sunset. San Francisco, California, USA.
Source: yhelfman / Shutterstock.com

Source: yhelfman / Shutterstock.com
Ruins of Sutro Baths remain in San Francisco.
  • Attraction: oceanfront public bathhouse, San Francisco
  • When destroyed/disappeared: gradual decline and a fire in 1966
  • What made it disappear: Fire

Sycamore Gap Tree (England)

Robin Hood Sycamore Gap Tree at Hadrian's Wall.
Source: DVS - Drone Visual / Shutterstock.com

Source: DVS – Drone Visual / Shutterstock.com
Once a popular tourism spot along Hadrian’s Wall, the tree was felled by an unknown vandal in 2023.
  • Attraction: Sycamore Gap Tree, Northumberland National Park, England
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2023
  • What made it disappear: Felled by vandals

Wall Arch (Arches National Park)

Arches National Park Entrance Sign, Utah, USA
Source: Yongyut Kumsri / Shutterstock.com

Source: Yongyut Kumsri / Shutterstock.com
The famous 71-foot tall rock formation was located in Arches National Park.
  • Attraction: Wall Arch in Arches National Park, Utah
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 2008
  • What made it disappear: Age and erosion

Wawona Tree (United States)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Until it fell, Wawona Tree was big enough that an opening in its base allowed cars to drive through it.
  • Attraction: Giant Wawona Tree in California’s Yosemite National Park
  • When destroyed/disappeared: 1968/1969
  • What made it disappear: Heavy snowfall during storms

Wedding Cake Rock (Australia)

Wedding Cake Rock
Source: Ken Griffiths / Shutterstock.com

Source: Ken Griffiths / Shutterstock.com
You can probably guess where Wedding Cake Rock got its name.
  • Attraction: Wedding Cake Rock, Royal National Park, Australia
  • When destroyed/disappeared: Expected 2025
  • What made it disappear: Age and weather
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