7 Spots to Visit Before They Change Forever (PHOTOS)

The Dead Sea 

For a name that emphasizes its lifelessness, the Dead Sea has been drawing crowds of active people to its shores for years. The body of water is the lowest surface on Earth and is so salty, plants and animals can't live there. But according to CBS, those very qualities are what make the Dead Sea's waters one of the most prized spa treatments in the world, where people visit to float in the dense water and rub themselves with mud that's supposed to treat skin ailments and arthritis. But the high salinity also makes the water very dehydrating, and swimmers are advised to spend no more than 20 minutes at a time in it, reported the Chicago Tribune. 

Yet tourists looking for a relaxing trip might not be able to benefit from the Dead Sea for much longer. The sea (which is actually a lake) is drying up, leaving a trail of dangerous sinkholes in its wake. For thousands of years the sea has maintained an equilibrium thanks to water flowing into it from the Jordan River and water evaporating out in the heat. But now, Syria, Jordan and Israel all divert water from the Dead Sea for irrigation and to extract minerals, said Slate. The Jerusalem Post recently reported that despite winter storms, the Dead Sea water level continues to drop, and if action isn't taken, the Dead Sea really will die. 

To learn more about the declining sea and take action, check out the nonprofit organization Save Our Sea.

NEXT: One of the world's most valuable archaeological sites at risk

Bagan, Myanmar

More than 1,000 years ago, King Pyinbya was the leader of Myanmar and built his legacy in the form of a walled city called Bagan. With new kings making Bagan their home in the 13th century and the its citizens building breathtaking architecture that rivaled anything being made in Europe, it was only a matter of time before the city became a hub of culture and learning. Dozens of temples were built, but eventually one of the pagodas bankrupted the city and left it vulnerable when Kublai Khan attacked in 1287, says Lonely Planet. An earthquake in 1975 further damaged or destroyed many of the remaining temples. 

Today, Bagan is at risk of collapsing due to a number of factors. One of the main issues is tourism - Bagan's heritage as one of the world's greatest archaeological sites makes it a popular destination for foreign travelers. Since the country opened up to tourists, their numbers have increased every year, from 820,000 in 2011 to 1.5 million in 2013, reported the Los Angeles Times. 

Another problem Bagan faces is the renovation and rebuilding of temples that were damaged in the 1975 earthquake or succumbed to time. The 3,000 temples that stretch across 26 square miles have been attended to haphazardly. According to Time, "imprudent stewardship of Bagan may stand in the way of the country's bid today for the ancient city to receive World Heritage status." 

The debate about how to preserve such invaluable sites as Bagan while still making them accessible to tourists who will generate revenue for locals has yet to be solved. For those fortunate enough to see the towering pagodas in person, count yourself lucky. For everyone else, explore photos of the ancient city from the comfort of home. 

NEXT: Forward progress changing island life

Havana, Cuba

From a haven for Caribbean pirates to a tropical retreat for writers from around the world, Havana, Cuba has long been a legendary destination with a reputation for parties and dancing. According to Lonely Planet, one of the best parts of the city is its authenticity; the city is far from being a touristy, resort town, unlike plenty of other Caribbean hotspots. This could be due to the politics that have led to an ambiguous and at times strained relationship between Cuba and Western countries, but it could also be something in the very nature of Havana. 

But the things that make Havana so essentially Cuban might soon be changing, for better and for worse. Havana is being cleaned up, crumbling churches are being repaired, and a tourism boom is bringing more foreigners to the country, reported The Guardian. Other signs of a changing country are the plethora of cell phones and the changing neighborhoods, says the New York Times. Whatever Havana becomes, one thing is certain – the city is changing, and the current Havana, that has seemed for so long to be crystallized in time, is moving forward. 

NEXT: The melting ice cap is transforming life here

Nuuk, Greenland

Despite being the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk is home to only 16,454 people. But it's also the northernmost capital in the world, and because of its proximity to the pole, it's become an attraction for those eager to see what life is like at the tip of the world. According to Lonely Planet, Nuuk was home to just 12 Greenlandic families when a Danish missionary came there in 1728, but the population gradually expanded and the town became the administrative center of the country during WWII. Visitors today can see the colonial harbor, the market where fresh birds, seal, and fish are sold, and tour the famous Katuaq cultural center. 

The thing that seems to attract most tourists, however, isn't the scenic harbor or the wildlife – it's the changing landscape of Greenland. Climate change has and will continue to play an enormous role in Greenlandic society. Already several industries are suffering from the loss of sea ice and the changing environment, but deposits of minerals and gems are also being discovered as the ice cap recedes, reported the New York Times. The melting ice might also put Greenland in the perfect position for a transpolar trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, said The Guardian. 

What does all this mean for Nuuk? In the future it could lead to an expanding population and a growing city, but for now the main result has been a surge in tourists eager to see the ice cap before it disappears, wrote Smithsonian Magazine. The only problem is that the increase in tourists traveling to Greenland means an increase in carbon dioxide emissions from flying.

NEXT: An ancient city on the edge of war

Damascus, Syria

With a founding date in the 3rd millennium BC, Damascus is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and has long been an important cultural crossroad between Africa and Asia. Archaeological excavations suggest Damascus was inhabited as early as 10,000 BC, says UNESCO, and since then it has seen the influence of Roman, Byzantine, Hellenistic and Islamic peoples. The city is filled with markets, monuments, mausoleums, mosques and medieval architecture – but unfortunately for would-be tourists, the city has already been changed irrevocably by the Syrian civil war. 

Now going on three years, the war is estimated to have claimed 162,402 lives, including more than 8,000 children, reported CNN. Thousands of others have fled and sought asylum in neighboring countries. 

For now, Damascus is held by the the government of Syria, although the suburbs are held by rebel groups, and mortar attacks are regularly exchanged by both sides. But some hope remains, reported National Geographic, that the refined culture of Damascus could save the country. 

"Those who live in Damascus and love it best stand united in their desire to preserve it," wrote Anne Barnard. With any luck, the city and its people will survive the war and many decades beyond it. 

NEXT: Surrounded by drug trafficking

Panajachel, Guatemala

With a beautiful lake, an abundance of cultures, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, sailing and paragliding, the city of Panajachel in Guatemala has lots to offer tourists. Those interested in nature and the environment can visit Reserva Natural Atitlan and see monkeys and a butterfly farm, while travelers who would rather learn about the cultural history of the region can stop by the Maya Traditions Medicinal Plant Garden. 

But for all the ways to explore the tropical city, there is one main problem that has affected it and the surrounding area: drug trafficking. The country recently announced its plans to create an air task force to fight drug trafficking in Guatemala, reported Fox News Latino, since Guatemala is used as a bridge for drug cartels moving their wares from South America to the U.S. 

"What happens and what is decided in the United States and in Mexico in terms of drug trafficking resonates through Guatemala and the rest of Central America," reported Insight Crime. Whether this means the town of Panajachel will be radically changed by crime in the coming years remains to be seen, but it's certain that drugs have affected Guatemala as a whole. 

NEXT: A friendly backwater city poised for development

Ventiane, Laos

While it might not be famous among tourists, Ventiane, the capital of Laos, has a reputation for cleanliness, friendliness, stunning temples and Buddhist statues, and a carefree, relaxed ambiance. According to the New York Times, a traveler can find everything from French cuisine to late-night bowling alleys. The former French colony is still replete with colonial relics, including crumbling architecture and crunchy baguettes. 

But the capital city might not be a secluded paradise for much longer. The Laos economy has grown 6 to 8 percent recently, reported Japan Times, which has caught the eye of other countries eager to invest in a potential Asian Tiger. 

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