One of the largest sand dunes in the world is nicknamed the "Scary Mountain" due to its steep slope and sharp incline.

Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.

Over the dunes of the Empty Quarter, the mysterious music of the desert.

This enormous sports car themed amusement park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.

The oldest surviving mosque in the UAE has mysterious origins and unusual architecture.

Planned as the world’s first zero-carbon city, it had lofty ideals—but is only 5 percent completed and aiming for 50 percent carbon-neutral.

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.

The world’s largest LED display, built over an F1 race circuit.

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

Billed as the "largest natural flower garden in the world" this Middle Eastern show field has little competition at 45 million flowers.

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

The oldest lawn bowling club in the United States.

San Francisco’s century-old Christmas Tree.

The legendary statue-hating superintendent of Golden Gate Park is honored with... a statue.

Approximately 250,000 people left homeless by the great earthquake and fires found shelter in Golden Gate Park.

A garden oasis filled with flowers mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare.

Thirteen trees representing the original thirteen colonies were planted with soil from historic Revolutionary battlefields.

27-room home built with the fortune of a sugar magnate.

Created in 1972, the famous sculptor's intricately detailed monument to San Francisco is overflowing with city landmarks.

A monumental cross hides in the trees in Golden Gate Park.

An elaborate gift from Claus Spreckels is now a piece of San Francisco history.

A masterpiece in Golden Gate Park by virtue of the artist’s debt.