9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Tourist Attractions That'll Make You Wonder Why They Exist

Strange isn't fictional anymore. Making that point are these places from around the globe that attract thousands and continue to remain popular with tourists. While some of these places have an interesting history behind them, many others are relatively new and will make you wonder why they exist in the first place. Be that as it may, these places are as bizarre as they are entertaining.

1. World's largest artificial tree in Dubai

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That the environment is suffering is not news. There's plenty man has done that cannot be undone. While good effort is being made to lessen the damage, what makes this a bit strange is that we are now turning to a giant artificial tree in order to sustain an indoor ecosystem. The Green Planet is a new indoor attraction in Dubai with a rich ecosystem that contains 3000 species of flora and fauna with a huge artificial tree at its centre.

2. Capuchin Catacombs, Italy

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For a taste of the macabre head to the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Italy, that hold the remains of 8000 corpses. The site came to be after the death of Silvestro da Gubbio, also the oldest corpse here, who passed away in 1599. While the idea behind this move by the church was to make the body of a monk accessible for intercession, the 'trend' soon caught on and eventually, more and more priests willingly asked to be preserved here so their families could come and see them.

3. Upside-Down House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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The newest kid on this block, the two-storey upside-down house at the KL Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a major attraction, one that offers guided tours to curious tourists. There's one even in China.

4. Prada Marfa, in Texas

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Prada Marfa, a lookalike sculpture of the brand's fully functioning boutique sits near Route 90 in Texas. It was built in 2005 by artists Elmgreen and Dragset and showcases bags and shoes from that year's fall collection, handpicked by Miucca Prada herself.

5. Mother Shipton's cave

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Mother Shipton's cave is a petrifying well in Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, England. The well looks eerily similar to a skull and this led to the urban legend that the well is cursed by the devil himself. It is said that whatever falls into the well - plants, birds, everyday objects - turns to stone. But by its very definition, a petrifying well is known to do exactly that because of high mineral content.

6. Wang Saen Sek Hell Garden or Thailand's Hell Horror Park

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The Thailand Hell Horror Park shows graphic scenes from Hell (or Naraka) as it has been described in Buddhist scripture. The sign, "Welcome to Hell," is one of many in the park, with each signboard displaying a message for possible sinners. Despite the disturbing imagery, this is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions.

7. Icelandic Phallological Museum

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Located in Reykjav¨ªk, Iceland, this museum holds a collection of...duh..., penises. Yes, let the jokes begin and never end. There are about 283 penises from different species on display here, including one from a deceased human, mountaineer P¨¢ll Arason.

8. Bubblegum alley, California

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There's finally a place for those who love to stick chewed gum in hidden corners and think of it as their own secret art. Only this time, it's on many tourists' must-see list. San Luis Obispo in California has a 21-metre long alley passage covered in gum of all colours, and what we suspect, all flavours. The history behind this 'bubblegum' wall isn't clear but the display was unveiled to the world in the 1970s. The wall, continues to stick!

9. Carhenge, Nebraska

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Carhenge, like the name suggests, is a hat tip to Stonehenge where the structure draws its inspiration from. Built in 1987 by Jim Reinders for his deceased father, Carhenge is a grey-ish collection of thirty-eight neatly-stacked cars in the middle of a farm in Nebraska with plenty of cool photo ops to offer.