Top 5 Most Deadly Backpacking Destinations

1. The Gateway to Hell in Turkmenistan

The Gateway to Hell is situated in the village of Derweze in the Karakum Desert, Ahal Province. It is one of Turkmenistan's most attractive tourist destinations, drawing special attention from many visitors due to its unique and extremely rare beauty. In fact, it is a giant flaming crater in the middle of the Karakum Desert, a familiar sight to the people of Darvaza village in Turkmenistan for over 50 years. Officially named the 'Door to Hell,' this 70m wide and 20m deep crater is located about 270 km from the capital city of Ashgabat. Despite being a famous tourist spot, the continuous release of methane gas from the crater has affected the health of wildlife and local residents. The 'Gateway to Hell' emanates a bright light from the ever-burning flames in this crater, visible from kilometers away.

Being dubbed the 'Gateway to Hell', this name is enough to terrify some faint-hearted tourists. This 'Gateway to Hell' is a natural gas field that Soviet scientists accidentally drilled into, thinking it was an oil field in 1971. The large amount of methane gas beneath the ground was released after the drilling rig collapsed and the crater widened, causing environmental pollution and poisoning many people to death. And for over 40 years, the flames have continued to burn in the crater, stimulating the curiosity of tourists worldwide. Every year, many adventurous travelers seek out this gateway to satisfy their curiosity and explore. But what's truly horrifying here is that if you stand near the crater for more than 5 minutes, you'll die from gas poisoning. So, this is not a comfortable place for everyone to visit.

2. The 'Death Swing' in Banos (Ecuador)

Perched on a cliff at an altitude of 2,660m, the swing of the unique treehouse in the mountains of Banos, Ecuador, is also known as the scariest swing in the world, dubbed 'The Swing of Death'. The treehouse here is actually an observation station at the foot to observe the nearby Tungurahua volcano. The swing hangs right next to it, giving tourists a heart-stopping sensation as they sway over the mouth of the deep, eerie canyon, with the impressive scenery below. This has stimulated adventurers who enjoy both thrills and romance. The swing, with its simple design, no safety equipment, only ropes and a wooden plank hanging from a tree branch. Its swing range can launch people out of the mountain gorge and play amidst the clouds.

For the adventurous, sitting on the swing means experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. No one knows if an accident can happen, but this creates a feeling of 'temptation,' attracting those who love adventurous games. Currently, another swing nearby has been built to serve the needs of tourists, while additional steel cables have also been added to ensure safety. When you sit on this swing, you can admire the view of the Tungurahua volcano. In addition, many tourists also experience the exciting yet frightening feeling, jerking when witnessing the clouds surrounding them and the deep void below. This place is also one of Ecuador's famous tourist destinations, but not for the faint-hearted.

Rising over 800m above sea level, the Pedra da Gavea rock formation in Brazil attracts many adventurous tourists to capture photos that make others' hearts race. Pedra da Gavea is a mountain peak in the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, opened to the public by a group of locals from the early 19th century. It is the largest monolith rock formation in the world, located near a coastline in Brazil. Sitting at over 800m above ground level, the view from the mountain top is truly spectacular. Looking down from this pinnacle is a truly daunting experience, but it doesn't deter adventurous enthusiasts from exploring and conquering it.

Time and natural elements have sculpted the rock formation significantly, with one side resembling a human face. To reach the summit of this 'giant rock,' and take Instagram-worthy photos, tourists must climb along an extremely steep and dangerous path. But surely, those who undergo this experience will find it truly memorable and worthwhile. Pedra da Gavea is a popular spot for tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro, especially those who enjoy capturing shock-inducing photos. On social media alone, there are over 150,000 photos checked in at this rock mountain, showcasing various daring poses by tourists.

For fans of Chinese martial arts movies, Mount Hua is a familiar name. On the journey to this captivating mountain peak, you will encounter the world's most dangerous hiking trail with breathtaking scenery. Standing at 2,154.9m, Mount Hua in Shaanxi Province, China, is an extremely attractive destination for adventure travelers worldwide. Mount Hua is one of the Five Great Mountains in China and the cradle of Chinese civilization. Moreover, Mount Hua is considered the number one dangerous mountain in this country, attracting many adventurous climbers who come to experience the perilous plank path along the cliff face. However, on the way to and within the Mount Hua scenic area, you can enjoy sunrise, sunset, sea of clouds, majestic mountain landscapes, and a series of interesting sites along with dozens of ancient Taoist temples that add vitality to your journey.

The plank path is the most dangerous and thrilling route on Mount Hua. This over 700-year-old plank path was built at the South Peak by inserting wooden planks along with stone bolts into the steep cliff. The path is only a little over 30cm wide, with no handrails, only iron chains on the cliff face for you to hold onto. Walking along this terrifying path, you should face the cliff, and if you look down at the abyss below, you will not be able to control your fear. Throughout history, many scholars and famous figures have visited this Mount Hua plank path to experience danger and challenge their courage. Most of those who choose this path are professional mountain climbers, adventurous explorers, and extremely daring. If tourists are not willing to take risks and exert themselves, they can pay to take the cable car to the mountain peak.

Devil's Pool is one of the destinations that challenges adventure enthusiasts, swimming on the edge of this death-defying pool is an exhilarating yet equally thrilling experience for anyone who visits. They all want to experience it once in their lifetime, as it is perched precariously right on top of the source of the waterfall. “Devil's Pool” is a naturally formed pool, located on the right side of the world's largest Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is unclear who gave this pool its name. But true to its name because it is located in the most dangerous position, right on top of the waterfall. Below, the water churns and flows down vigorously. The pool is located at a height of about 130m right above the Living Stone ledge. This is one of the most fascinating swimming spots because it offers many terrifying adventurous sensations. Despite the fear, many adventurous explorers still come here to swim, dive, and even hang their bodies outwards to admire the rushing water. Typically, from September to January is the time when the water flow slows down and tourists comfortably experience all activities.

Looking down from above, the rushing waterfall can make many people's backs tingle. In fact, people can still swim safely in the “devilish pool”. Here is a natural rock wall next to the waterfall, helping tourists to swim freely without worrying about being swept away below. Although daunting, when visiting here for the first time, tourists should follow the instructions of the accompanying guide. Currently, every year, the “devilish pool” still claims the lives of many people. Thanks to its location at the top of the famous Victoria Falls, the “devilish pool” is known to many tourists. This is also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, with a flow rate of up to 7,500 m3, creating towering columns of frothy white water. Standing about 40km away, people can still see the mist rising from the heart of the waterfall. CNN once described Victoria Falls as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.