A lesser-known British coastline has been dubbed the ‘desert’ of the UK thanks to its wild, windswept landscape and post-apocalyptic feel.
The UK boasts some of the world’s most picturesque and diverse beaches – but one seaside town in the south-east of England stands out for its unique qualities.
Dungeness, a headland on the coast of Kent, is home to a sprawling, stark shingle beach renowned for its desolate, end-of-the-world beauty.
Described by visitors as ‘surreal’ and ‘dystopian,’ the area’s otherworldly atmosphere is marked by shipwrecks and rusting machinery scattered along the pebbles and stones.
On sunny days, the vast shingle plain, with its wooden huts and patchy vegetation, almost resembles a film set for an American spaghetti western.
Two iconic lighthouses dominate the horizon – one, a historic, decommissioned landmark open to visitors, and the other a modern, active navigation aid.
Dungeness also houses two nuclear stations, a prominent feature of the landscape that adds to its near-future aesthetic.
Quirky, ramshackle fishing cottages are dotted across the beach, along with the standout former home of filmmaker Derek Jarman – a tiny, black wood-panelled cottage featuring yellow window frames and poetry inscribed inside.
Dungeness, a headland on the coast of Kent, is home to a sprawling, stark shingle beach renowned for its desolate, end-of-the-world beauty
Described by visitors as ‘surreal’ and ‘dystopian,’ the area’s otherworldly atmosphere is marked by shipwrecks and rusting machinery scattered along the pebbles and stones
On sunny days, the vast shingle plain, with its wooden huts and patchy vegetation, almost resembles a film set for an American spaghetti western
The area has also been designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), home insects, migratory birds and 600 species of plants – a third of all plants found in the UK.
To help protect the landscape and its wildlife, the National Nature Reserve, defined by lakes, marshes, and wet grassland, stretches across Dungeness to encompass the extensive RSPB reserve.
In addition to its ‘desert of the UK’ status, Dungeness is located at the end of the line for the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR), a tiny 15 inch (381 mm) gauge railway that operates as one of the world’s smallest public passenger trains.
The popular tourist attraction railway offers a unique experience for passengers on its 13.5 mile journey between Hythe and Dungeness, passing through the distinctive Dungeness peninsula, old railway carriages and industrial sites.
Meanwhile, a ‘cyberpunk’ megacity in China is the world’s largest by population – yet it remains relatively unknown to many outside of Asia.
Chongqing, situated in the south-west of the country, is home to a staggering 32 million residents – making it the only Chinese city with a population of over 30 million.
The sprawling municipality, which covers a whopping 31,815 square miles, is distinguished by its ethereal mountainous terrain and its complex, multi-tiered-infrastructure.
Chongqing is built on elevated, hilly terrain, resulting in a unique vertical layering of buildings, where entrances can be found on different floors of properties, while roadways and pedestrian walkways overlap one another across various heights.
Two iconic lighthouses dominate the horizon – one, a historic, decommissioned landmark open to visitors, and the other a modern, active navigation aid
Quirky, ramshackle fishing cottages are dotted across the beach
Along with the standout former home of filmmaker Derek Jarman – a tiny, black wood-panelled cottage featuring yellow window frames and poetry inscribed inside
Pictured: Wooden board walk across the beach to the sea in Dungeness, Kent
Pictured: Old shipping containers and debris at Dungeness, Kent
In addition to its ‘desert of the UK’ status, Dungeness is located at the end of the line for the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR), a tiny 15 inch (381 mm) gauge railway that operates as one of the world’s smallest public passenger trains
The city’s skyline, meanwhile, with its neon lights and futuristic architecture, is often compared to cyberpunk and sci-fi concepts – with YouTuber Ben Morris calling it the ‘closest I’ve ever been to a real-life video game’ in a viral clip.
Despite its sheer size and jaw-dropping landscape, Chongqing is often overlooked by tourists, who might be more familiar with other major Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
Now, the spotlight is firmly on the ‘Mountain City’ thanks to its growing popularity amidst seasoned travellers, curious content creators and distinguished tourism boards.
The Lonely Planet travel guide describes the city as ‘the most important city in western China and the economic engine of the upper Yangzi [Yangtze],’ while highlighting the municipality’s ‘fantastic food and ‘charismatic geography.’
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