10 Terrifying Ways to Take in the View

Everyone loves a good view, right? There are even entire TV shows dedicated to houses and buildings that provide the best views of the sea, mountains, or forests. Those not afraid of heights may enjoy their views of Earth’s most spectacular scenes from a viewing deck or observatory or while dangling from a harness between cliffs while ziplining from one point to the next.

However, if you get dizzy just standing on the first rung of a ladder, your acrophobia will thank you for looking away now…

Related: 10 Travel Experiences Featuring Awe-Inspiring Arches

10 The Flying Kiss

The Flying Kiss is already a weird name for a sky-high ride. The attraction, situated near Chongqing, features the two 170-foot-tall (81.8-meter) semi-naked figures of Prince Charming and his Fairy Woman. It was constructed beside a cliff that dropped nearly 2/3 of a mile (1 km) down.

The two figures lie horizontally next to each other before the ride starts. Once it’s fired up, the figures move away from each other in a circular motion until they are upright. All the while, each one holds up a platform of thrill-seeking riders. Eventually, with the arms vertical as they “lean in for a kiss,” the two platforms twist past each other as the statue’s arms seem to entwine.

Since the ride opened in 2020, it has garnered mixed reviews from netizens and visitors. Some find the figures charming, while others make sure to vote for it as one of the ugliest structures in China. At the very least, the ride offers a breathtaking view of the Wulong Baima mountains, so it’s not all bad.^[1]

9 The Strat

The Tower at The Strat, looking over the Las Vegas Strip, offers stunning views that might just make you forget how much you lost at the blackjack table.

At 1,149 feet (350 meters) up, the indoor and outdoor observation decks give you a front-row seat to the glittering Strip, the sprawling suburbs, and the stunning desert landscape beyond. As the sun sets, the city really comes to life, turning Vegas into a glitzy, larger-than-life spectacle.

If the sparkling skyline doesn’t take your breath away, stepping out onto the open-air SkyPod, where the breeze tousles your hair and the sheer height makes you question every decision that led you here, will definitely do the trick.

And taking things one step further, the thrill rides dangling you over the edge offer the perfect opportunity to question your life choices while screaming at the top of your lungs. Because, you know, Vegas never does anything halfway—even when it comes to views.^[2]

8 Ruyi Bridge

With its twisting, double-arched design and glass-bottom walkways, the Ruyi Bridge in Zhejiang, China, is a great way to test your bravery without wrestling a panda. Suspended high above the Shenxianju Scenic Area, this architectural wonder looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

As you step onto the transparent floor and glance down at the canyon below, you’ll either marvel at the engineering brilliance or question why you skipped breakfast.

The design resembles a jade ruyi—a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune and power—and is a feat of modern engineering. One hundred meters in length and 140 meters above the ground, the jaw-dropping structure is built to withstand gale-force winds and pouring rain. The surrounding landscape of cliffs, waterfalls, and lush greenery adds a magic touch that’s hard to resist.^[3]

7 Pedra da Gavea

Pedra da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro is the perfect way to flirt with danger while feeling like a rugged explorer. This massive granite monolith rises 2,770 feet (844 meters) above sea level, offering some of the most incredible views you’ll ever behold—if you survive the hike.

The trail starts innocently enough. Strolling through the Atlantic Forest, you’ll be serenaded by a myriad of birds. But soon enough, you’ll be scrambling up steep inclines and gripping tree roots as though your life depended on it. And then, the pièce de résistance: the infamous Carrasqueira. That near-vertical rock face that turns hikers into rock climbers.

The panoramic views of Rio’s stunning coastline, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the endless Atlantic make it all worth it. But be warned: that thrilling sense of accomplishment might be slightly overshadowed by the realization that you still need to make your way down.^[4]

6 Pico do Areeiro

At 5,964 feet (1,818 meters) above sea level, Pico do Areeiro in Madeira is an otherworldly experience. The clouds swirling around dramatic, jagged peaks truly make you feel as if you’ve been transported into another realm. On clear days, the endless Atlantic stretches toward the horizon. Misty mornings transform the view into a sea of clouds.

However, the real magic unfolds as you follow the trail toward Pico Ruivo. The narrow ridges drop away into nothing on either side, sprinkled with craggy rock formations reminiscent of the underworld and vibrant green valleys that glow in the morning light. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll get to witness cloud inversion—a phenomenon that leaves you standing above a fluffy blanket of clouds. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just someone who likes to say “wow” a lot, Pico do Areeiro is sure to thrill.^[5]

5 Xufu Cliffs

Walking along the Xufu Cliffs at Xuedou Mountain is like walking along the world’s edge (without boarding a spaceship). The endless view across magnificent forests, dramatic valleys, and peaks that reach the clouds seem to whisper, “Look how tiny you are.”

The sheer cliffs that drop away into oblivion are unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your hometown. But I guess part of the thrill is that little tingle of fear when you peer over the edge.

The Xuedou Mountain adds a Zen-like serenity to the experience; by the time you leave, you will have a million shots to upload to your Instagram. And a new appreciation for terra firma.^[6]

4 Moab Rope Swing

Suspended from a massive sandstone arch in Utah’s dramatic desert landscape, the world’s highest rope swing promises a thrill like no other. The Moab Rope Swing is nothing like the one you used to frequent at your local childhood playground—unless, of course, your playground had a 400-foot (122-meter) drop and required signing a waiver.

When you step off the edge, the world suddenly turns into a blur of red rock cliffs. If you dare open your eyes, you’ll notice awe-inspiring canyons and skies so blue they look photoshopped.

Below, you’ll find the Colorado River surrounded by towering rock formations, standing like ancient guardians. Soaring through the crisp desert air, surrounded by the rugged beauty of Moab stretching out in every direction, you’ll never want to come back down.^[7]

3 Sky Ladder

Perched high in the emerald-green mountains of Chongqing, Mount Qixing’s via Ferrata in China combines jaw-dropping views with enough adrenaline to make you rethink your life choices halfway up.

The only way to make your way along the narrow ledges is to clip into steel cables. But you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of dazzling green valleys, ethereal misty peaks, and awe-inspiring landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see.

Of course, the real magic happens when you stop clinging to the rock for dear life and take in the amazing scenery. The lush, evergreen forests of Wulong unfolding below, paired with the soft golden light at sunrise or sunset, soon help you forget that your legs are shaking.^[8]

2 Jacob’s Ladder

The historic Jacob’s Ladder on St. Helena Island boasts a whopping 699 steps, enough to make the fittest individual’s legs turn to jelly. Originally built as an inclined plane for transporting goods, the staircase now serves mainly as a tourist attraction.

As you make your way up the steps, the panoramic vistas behind you unfold like a living postcard: Jamestown with its vividly colored rooftops, the dramatic, rugged cliffs of the island, and the endless Atlantic stretching out to infinity.

When you reach the top, the town below looks like a toy village and the surrounding cliffs contrast beautifully against the endless blue ocean. The view is particularly mesmerizing at sunrise or sunset when the golden light bathes the landscape in warm hues, and you realize that climbing all those steps just for the photo op was absolutely worth it.^[9]

1 Hanging Houses

Nestled precariously along the sheer rock face, the hanging houses of Wangxian Valley cling to the cliffside like mountain goats with excellent architectural taste.

As you’d expect, the view from this precarious village is nothing short of spectacular. It looks like something straight out of a fairytale: dazzling green valleys stretching into infinity, with mist curling lazily around the peaks as if straight from a smoke machine.

With its patchwork of forests and winding rivers framed by towering cliffs that seem to touch the sky, the valley below feels eerily quiet. Early mornings are particularly magical when the rising sun paints the valley in soft golds and pinks, and the hanging houses seem to hover above a sea of clouds. Fascinating? For sure. Slightly terrifying? Yes, that, too.^[10]