The visuals are so tangible, you’d think the places where Avatar was filmed were genuine landscapes. No doubt the gorgeous paradise world of Pandora, with its glowing trees and floating mountains, made a lasting impression on audiences around the globe, but did you know that many of the franchise’s locations, despite being computer-generated, are rooted in reality? Mountains, forests, caves, and islands from all around the Earth were woven together to create the alien planet. When you draw together these implausibly beautiful places, it doesn’t take much extra embellishment to make people believe that the story is happening somewhere else. But many of these places are very real, and you can go and see them for yourself. Let’s dive into them together.

01

Zhangjiajie, China

High above the clouds where the mountains appear to float

Located in China’s Hunan Province, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park mountains are instantly recognizable for their tall, slender pillars dotted with trees that cling to the crevices. Since appearing on the silver screen, these bizarre quartz-sandstone landforms have become more widely known, and now often feature in articles about the world’s most unusual landscapes. The unique combination of rock type, tectonic activity, and erosion is responsible for these seemingly impossible mountains, some of which are even narrower at the base than they are at the peak.

The mighty columns of this ethereal area can reach over 3,000 feet tall; fortunately, the Bailong Elevator can take you from the bottom to the top of one of them in around 2 minutes. The climate is moderate with high humidity, so when you look over the finger-like tips of the mountains reaching up towards the sky, there is a significant likelihood of mist shrouding the bottom of the valleys, especially early in the morning. This is when the inspiration for Pandora becomes most apparent, when the peaks of the mountains appear to float above clouds. In the movie, the Hallelujah Mountains really are floating, but we promise the ones at Zhangjiajie are still connected to the ground, even if you can’t see where. This resemblance, and the incredible success of the movie, led to one of the tallest pillars being officially renamed “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.”

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is listed as a UNESCO global geopark, meaning that it’s protected from development and preserved as a natural treasure. Considerate tourism practices ensure that this special area is available and accessible to visitors so everyone can enjoy it. In addition to the unusual pillar-shaped mountains, you can visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and walk across the world’s longest and highest glass-bottom bridge. Nearby Baofeng Lake offers a new perspective on the landscape, and there are regular tours of the meandering stretch of water on traditional-style barges.

Visiting this stunning part of China is encouraged, so you’ll easily find Zhangjiajie hotels and other amenities in the city. It makes a great base for nature tourism and rural escapes, while providing all the restaurants, shopping, and local attractions you desire. Visit Zhangjiajie Museum and the Tujia Folk Customs Park to learn more about the history and culture of the region.

02

North Island, New Zealand

Sacred sites of awe and wonder

A lot of the acting performances for these movies were recorded in studios based in New Zealand and California. Rather than a traditional shoot with people in sets or on location, the Avatar series relies on motion capture that can only be achieved in an enclosed environment. This was first set up in New Zealand when Andy Serkis portrayed Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was filmed in the country to take advantage of its rolling green hills and untouched mountains. This gorgeous terrain and other wonders of Aotearoa influenced the visual design of Pandora, too.

Right near the top of North Island on New Zealand’s west coast, Waipoua Forest is one of just a small number of kauri forests that act as sanctuaries to preserve this native tree species and its surrounding habitat. Waipoua is home to 2 of the oldest living kauri trees, Tāne Mahuta, Lord of the Forest, and Te Matua Ngahere, Father of the Forest, which are estimated to be anywhere between 1,000 and 4,000 years old. While Tāne Mahuta is the largest, Te Matua Ngahere is wider, with an incredible girth of around 54 feet.

Aside from being named after the god of birds and trees, Tāne Mahuta holds spiritual significance for the Māori people, and great effort is made to protect it from drought and kauri dieback disease. Despite how precious this massive tree is, visitors are welcome, and from the parking area, it’s only a short walk or roll along the wheelchair-accessible track to the closest viewing platform.

Near the middle of the North Island, Waitomo Glowworm Caves offer a different experience entirely. Deep down in the darkness underground, it’s suddenly not dark at all as you enter the Glowworm Grotto. Thousands of insects emitting a blue-green glow cover the ceiling of the caves like a galaxy of stars, illuminating short clusters of fine, sticky threads to lure in their prey of even tinier insects. No photography is permitted, so you have no choice but to be present in the moment. For a soothing trip of gentle wonder, take a boat tour, but for an adventure in the water, opt for the rafting tour and ride a tube along the underground river and over waterfalls. Stay somewhere local to Waikato to get an early start and a convenient shower after.

03

Kauai, Hawaii

Deep in the forest, so green it looks untouched

The Hawaiian island of Kauai is nicknamed the “Garden Isle,” and it’s easy to see why. The deeply forested natural landscapes feature soaring mountains, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches lapped by shimmering turquoise seas. Most of the island falls into either forest reserves or state parks, ensuring that the incredible variety of plant and animal species living there continue to thrive in carefully maintained conditions.

The luscious landscapes and picture-perfect beaches of Kauai have drawn filmmakers for decades, right back to the 1950s with South Pacific, to more recent blockbusters like Jurassic World. To create your own Avatar experience, visit the Keahua Arboretum. Some of the movie’s live-action forest scenes were filmed here, and it’s a public attraction, so you can go visit it, walk the river, and bring a lunch to the picnic area. The arboretum is also the starting point for multiple trails that take you up into the rainforest, so it’s a great spot to start a day hike. You won’t have to imagine yourself in a story; you’ll really be there. This is why the arboretum was chosen as a filming location; its unspoiled greenery made for an ideal, ready-grown set for outdoor scenes. Its unblemished flora became the untouched Pandora before the destructive forces of human miners and terraformers invaded and started tearing it apart.

The rarity of these natural environments in our own world helps audiences empathize with the Na’vi as their beautiful homeland and sacred places are put at risk. Ecotourism is a vital component in conservation, as it helps visitors see why such areas need protection while also raising funding needed to maintain and preserve the environment. Kauai’s many state parks are a great example of this and offer a variety of activities from educational programs to adventure tours. Spending time in nature is essential for your wellbeing, but whether you choose to do it on a peaceful kayak ride or rappelling down waterfalls is up to you.

Kauai is a wonderful, remote Eden of an island for a vacation. Spend time outdoors, whether that involves getting active in the forests or lounging on the beach, snorkeling around the shores, or scaling the mountainsides. Most Kauai’s accommodations line the coast, offering ocean views and resort-level comforts.

04

Falmouth, Jamaica

One of the largest and best-known bioluminescent lagoons on Earth, the Luminous Lagoon in Falmouth, Jamaica, is believed to be one of the real-life inspirations behind the many glowing environments on Pandora. The pretty blue aura is produced by millions of tiny dinoflagellates, a type of harmless plankton that lives in the water. It’s best to visit the coastal phenomenon after dark to get the clearest views.

The lagoon doesn’t glow constantly; waves of light ripple out from movements in the water. Go for a swim to interact directly with the microscopic creatures and see them light up when they detect your presence. Wake them up with drips from your fingertips; they’ll feel you there, and they respond, like a magical conversation with an alien being. Tours on the Luminous Lagoon usually include an evening boat trip that takes you out to a good spot for a swim. Choose a tour with a guide to learn more about the science of bioluminescence and how it fits within the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Falmouth is a popular stop for Caribbean cruises, allowing you to dip in on your way around the islands, but it’s also a great place to stay for an outdoorsy Jamaican vacation in a warm, tropical climate. This part of Jamaica offers a host of attractions, from adrenaline-pumping river tubing and ziplining to relaxing on the beach and visiting historic sites. The Artisan Village at Falmouth brings together food, drinks, and handmade products with live performance and augmented reality, introducing you to all the facets of Jamaican history and heritage.

05

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Underwater environs teeming with unusual life

In Avatar: The Way of Water, Jake and Neytiri relocate their family to a different part of Pandora, providing an opportunity for the filmmakers to imagine a new biome. The protagonists leave the forest to join a coastal community, and director James Cameron brought his experience and passion for diving and ocean exploration to the fore, particularly his love of the Great Barrier Reef.

Home to thousands of marine species, from the iconic clownfish and majestic manta rays to ancient sea turtles and elusive dugongs, the Great Barrier Reef is a vibrant underwater metropolis. Its coral gardens, shaped over millennia, are dazzling mosaics of color and form, offering a surreal experience for divers and snorkelers alike. Above the waves, the reef’s islands and cays provide sanctuary for seabirds and nesting turtles, adding to its ecological significance. It’s easy to picture yourself in another world when diving here, as it’s like nothing you’ve seen before.

While the diving isn’t to be missed, it’s not the only way to appreciate this bucket-list destination. The Reef is actually made up of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of tiny islands, and is close in size to the country of Japan (and a lot wetter). Take to the air for a helicopter or seaplane tour to gain a unique perspective of its scale and grandeur. Many tours include stops at unpopulated islands, where you can enjoy private snorkeling sessions or plan a romantic picnic for you and your partner. Visit Horn Island to get in touch with Torres Strait culture, and learn about pearl fishing and its significance in WWII.

The Great Barrier Reef extends close to 1,500 miles along the Australian coast, so the range of places to stay provides options for all sorts of travelers. The city of Cairns has a laid-back vibe where you can browse local markets and enjoy a flat white on your rest days between exploring the Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest on your adventure days. For a luxurious island retreat surrounded by brilliant azure seas, try the Whitsundays.

These are just some of the places on Earth that are so unbelievably beautiful and unusual, you could fool yourself into thinking you were on the other side of the galaxy. Photos and videos cannot do justice to some of these natural phenomena, and seeing these wonders for yourself will make an impression that lasts for years to come. Feed your soul with the most awe-inspiring—and movie-inspiring—locations and allow them to move you, or motivate you to produce your own creations. Make the most of our own planet’s great bounty, whether you are imagining yourself somewhere else or simply enjoying the moment.

Disclaimer: This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by the producers of Avatar.