15 Mysterious Ruins Hidden in the Jungle
The world is full of undiscovered surprises, including ancient ruins hidden in the world’s jungles. If you plan on backpacking around the globe, you can stumble across these ruins. While some are hidden away in the depths of foliage, some are more noticeable and can even be found on the top of a cliff!
Make sure you have sturdy legs if you’re planning on visiting these ruins, as it will involve a lot of walking to access them.
1. Palenque, Mexico
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Palenque can be found in Chiapas, Mexico. It was initially a Mayan city-state that perished in the 8th century. Since its disintegration, it has been overgrown by cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees.
However, the jungle on the ruins itself has been cut back, and the ruins have been excavated so that they can be better preserved and viewed by tourists visiting the nearby town of Chiapas.
2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
While Angkor Wat is no secret, they have found secret ruins and cities underneath the colossal temple of Angkor Wat itself. Additionally, should you look at pictures or find yourself trekking through Cambodia, you’ll notice that this gigantic structure is surrounded by wildlife and greenery.
Cambodia is home to many lost cities, such as Mahdenrapravata, which are covered in dense canopies and jungles. While these cities are not lost, they are suffocated by plants such as strangler figs and trees.
3. Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is a beautiful, overgrown city that you can find in Myanmar. It’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but that doesn’t detract from the feeling of discovery and solitude you get from seeing it.
Hundreds of temples in the Bagan area are surrounded by an immense amount of land. The vast and sprawling area gives you plenty to explore and discover.
4. Calakmul, Mexico
Calakmul is right up against the border of Guatemala. In Campeche, you can find this hidden site in southeastern Mexico. Calakmul was once one of the most powerful Mayan cities and was dubbed the Kingdom of the Snake.
When you visit Calakmul, you’ll find a pyramid with four tombs. Calakmul was first discovered again in 1931 and was then reported to the Carnegie Institute in 1932.
5. Machu Picchu, Peru
It may come as a surprise to see Machu Picchu on this list, but technically, it is a vast ruin site surrounded by a jungle. Machu Picchu is often called the Lost City of the Incas and can be found in the Eastern Cordillera area of southern Peru.
Be warned: if you visit Machu Picchu, you will have one colossal trek ahead. You’ll find a modern city and ruins of agriculture, temples, warehouses, and much more when you arrive.
6. Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya is a stunning site tucked away in the northern Matale District of Dambulla in Sri Lanka. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved sites of ancient urban civilization.
This particular ruin is high in the sky, and you must climb up a very narrow steel staircase to get to the city on top of the rock. If you’re scared of heights, you should miss this one!
7. Potok Cave, Slovenia
While not in a jungle, this cave has a visible entrance in a grassland area. Then it has many secrets hiding away inside it. This particular cave helped many Aurignacian people survive during the Ice Age!
The cave was once rife with artifacts, such as animal bones, human remains, and much more. The archeological dig in Potok Cave lasted for decades, initially starting in the 20th century.
8. Vat Phou, Laos
Vat Phou is a ruined temple complex that you can find in the Champasak Province in southern Laos. Surrounded by lush wildlife, you can discover this beautiful ancient ruin at the base of Mount Phou Khao.
The megalithic stone structures found on site are assumed to be as old as the second century BCE! While a lot of the site has been destroyed and eroded over time, it’s still one of the most religious sites in Laos and is commonly used for prayer.
9. Yaxchilan, Mexico
Yaxchilan is found on the bank of the Usumacinta River in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Mexico is riddled with gorgeous ancient ruins hidden away in the jungles. Yaxchilan was once a rival of Palenque, another ancient ruin found very close to this one.
Compared to other ancient ruins, the stone lintels are very well preserved and have important hieroglyphic text that details the history of the city of Yaxchilan. If you’re visiting Mexico, you’ll also want to stop by Palenque!
10. Chittorgarh Fort, India
Chittorgarh Fort is a gigantic structure and one of the largest living forts in India. It was once the capital of Mewar but now resides in the present-day city of Chittorgarh. This fort has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
This fort has also seen a lot of war and destruction, as it has played a vital part in four sieges. The fort contains 65 historical structures, giving you plenty to explore.
11. Waqrapukara, Peru
Deep in the Cusco region of Peru, you can find this mossy, overgrown ancient ruins structure. It’s an archeological site that can be found near the Apurimac River.
This structure was initially built by the Canchis but was then invaded and conquered by the Incas. The ruins of the building that lay there are said to be an Incan sanctuary.
12. Kuelap, Peru
Kuelap is a walled settlement that you can find close to the cities of Maria and Tingo. The Chachapoyas built this beautiful structure in the 6th century AD on a ridge overlooking the Utucubamba Valley.
Kuelap feels magical, enveloped by cloud forests with various trees and orchids. If you’re looking for an ancient ruin to visit, check out Kuelap.
13. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is a vast, sprawling site with plenty of history to explore. It was constructed between 1200 and 1450 and is situated on a cliff along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. By visiting these ruins, you get to soak in the history and the beautiful sights of the ruins and get a great view of the sea, too.
Tulum was one of the last cities to be built by the Mayans and is one of the best-preserved Mayan sites. It attracts many tourists and is one of the most popular locations for tourists to visit in Mexico.
14. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is an ancient medieval city founded in the 11th century CE but abandoned by the 15th century CE. These ruins were considered the capital of a kingdom during the Late Iron Age.
There is plenty to explore if you find yourself going to Great Zimbabwe. The ruins are said to have previously housed up to 18,000 people. Not only this, but it was also seen as a palace to the local monarch.
15. Pella, Jordan
Pella is a fascinating site of ancient ruins. It’s full of Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and even Iron Age ruins. If you want to find Pella, you can find it near a gorgeous water site at the foothills of Jordan Valley.
Pella was a thriving city with plenty on offer when it was alive and well. It was full of urban planning, had plenty of public spaces, and luxurious housing for the wealthy.
