Cewe kesepian

t’s a fact of life in the 21st century: Many of the world’s most priceless treasures — both natural wonders and triumphs of human creativity — are in peril. Global warming is only the tip of the shrinking iceberg, so to speak. Some places are in danger because of invasive species, overdevelopment or simply being loved to death by well-meaning people.

A new Bing Travel slide show presents some of the world’s most endangered destinations, places whose unique characteristics and pristine beauty are all too fragile. Our list includes Hawaii, whose long-isolated plants and animals are under assault from alien species; the Great Barrier Reef, where rising ocean temperatures are bleaching the reef’s coral; the ancient Peruvian city of Chan Chan, suffering from erosion thanks to frequent El Niño storms; and the Galapagos Islands, where hordes of tourists have led to the degradation of a destination that was the first-ever entry on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Which places around the world are on your endangered destinations list? Do you think that tourists should avoid visiting such fragile places, or travel now to see them before it’s too late? Share your thoughts with other travelers in the comments section