Some places on this planet are forbidden for good reason, and sometimes you don't even want to know the reason. Only a select few are allowed to grace these hallowed locations, while for others visiting some of these can be punishable by incarceration for life or even death—so we compiled pictures that will let you peek into these rare destinations. Take a look.
North Sentinel Island
This Bengali island might seem like a paradise, untouched by the modern world, but good luck getting ashore. The native population is notoriously hostile to outsiders. After the 2004 tsunami, helicopters delivering aid were greeted by arrows and spears.
In 2018, an American evangelical, John Chau, was killed by the native population after trying to make contact with them and convert them to Christianity. Traveling to this island is illegal and the police have been unable to retrieve his body still laying on the beach. Chau called his island "Satan's last stronghold".
Jiangsu National Security Education Museum
In 2009, China banned entrance to this museum if you are not Chinese. The Jiangsu National Security Education Museum is said to house super secret spying equipment and classified government documents. No entry is allowed to guard the Communist regime's secrets.
The museum shows of secret weapons and gadgets, such as guns disguised as lipstick, hollowed-out coins, and maps in decks of cards.
Area 51
Conspiracy theorists have imagined all kinds of activities on the Air Force’s secret base in Nevada. Known cryptically as Area 51, the site was used to create cutting-edge spy planes and may hold the wreckage of alien crafts. But be careful, trespassers are subject to lethal force.
Google Data Center
Access to their data center isn’t even granted to Google employees without a really good reason. If you’re looking for a quiet place to take an afternoon nap at Google, we recommend trying the meditation room instead.
There is no official knowledge of how many servers there are in Google's data centers, while the public press uses drones to try and find new locations around the globe.
Pine Gap
If you’re looking to spy on an entire hemisphere, you might want to try to get access to Pine Gap in rural Australia. The base’s one thousand employees scour radio signals for intelligence data fed to US drone operators. Access is, understandably, tightly controlled.
Moscow Metro-2
Rumor has it Joseph Stalin ordered a parallel subway system built under Moscow. Whether Moscow’s Metro-2 was built for security or to replace the existing Metro system is unknown. Don’t bother asking the Kremlin for comment - they neither confirm nor deny its existence.
Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, Ethiopia
The Ark of the Covenant, which held the original Ten Commandments, was thought to be lost to history. Not according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This tiny chapel houses the ark, which they claim was smuggled from the Holy Land. Even Indiana Jones can’t get in here. Only one priest, known as the guardian of the ark, is allowed inside.
The Coca-Cola Vault
In war, loose lips sink ships. In the soft drinks wars, they can sink big corporate. In fact, to secure their edge, Coca-Cola keeps their secret recipe locked up in an enormous vault. Visitors to their Atlanta headquarters can catch a glimpse, but will never breach their defenses.
Room 39
Room 39 might sound Orwellian, like some kind of secret chamber they take political heretics to confess their thought-crimes. But it’s actually a secret North Korean organization with dozens of secret Swiss and Chinese bank accounts. Sorry kids, members only.
Bank of England Vaults
Even though making a quick getaway with pockets full of gold bars is impossible for anyone but the Incredible Hulk, the Bank of England isn’t taking any chances. Their gold vaults are strictly off-limits to the public.
Lascaux Caves
These early human cave paintings in the South of France are sublime. We hope these pictures are enough for you because you can’t get close to the real thing. It’s nothing personal - constant visits from the public would destroy these paleo-paintings in no time.
Snake Island
Off the coast of Brazil sits Snake Island. Scant human contact has preserved unique, endangered species of native snakes. Keeping them alive means keeping you out, so the Brazilian government restricts public access.
Vatican Secret Archive
The secret archives at Vatican City are rumored to contain plundered items from around the world, including long lost biblical texts and artifacts from the ancient Hebrew temple. But don’t get your hopes too high, only those with special permission ever get to enter.
Disney Club 33
In the heart of Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, a club created for Disneyland’s 33 major corporate sponsors might look like a nice place to dine on your next trip. But not so fast, there’s still the matter of the $40,000 membership fee.
RAF Menwith Hill
You might think it’s a charming North Yorkshire pasture, but Minworth actually houses intelligence data for NATO allies the United States and the UK. Access is strictly monitored; sorry, you’re not on the list.
Dulce Base
Don’t believe the government is hiding extraterrestrials? Some think the aliens have their own base. Located under the Archuleta Mesa, the clandestine base in Dulce, New Mexico houses secret crafts and alien ambassadors. Unfortunately, if you’re an earthling, you’re not invited.
Mezhgorye, Russia
If you're stopping by Mezghorye for a picnic, be sure to bring your radiation pills. You’d better also bring your Russian military ID because this nuclear test site is closed to the general public.
White Gentlemen’s Club
The White Gentlemen’s club, founded in 1693 England, is just how it sounds. White’s only is members only, and they only accept men who are recommended by a current member and approved by two more members. So unless you have royal blood or friends in high places, you are out of luck.
Bohemian Grove
Once a year, the power players of the global economy get together at the infamous Bohemian Grove resort in Monte Rio, California. Rumors abound of satanic rituals and the vanguards of the New World Order. Whatever the retreat’s purpose, you can’t get in without being invited and passing a rigorous screening.
Surtsey
Surtsey volcano in Iceland erupted continuously for four years, from 1963 to 1967. The massive geological changes the eruption caused are still being studied. No nature hikes here, unless you’re a volcanologist.
