Creature treks
Here are the Top 10 destinations to discover mythical creatures
WANT to find out more about the world’s most amazing mythical creatures? Expedia has assembled 10 of the best, all taken from its interactive guide to finding beasts of lore. For more amazing creatures, visit www.expedia.co.uk.
1. CHINA: UNICORNS
The unicorn has played a central role in Chinese mythology for hundreds of years. But the qilin — a hooved, chimerical animal — is said to be benevolent and peaceful, quite different from its aggressive cousins. The qilin appears in Buddhist art, but rather than harming humans or eating animals, this unicorn is typically seen walking on clouds, so reticent is it to harm even a single blade of grass. And while some stories do depict it as being capable of hurting people, it will only do so when protecting the innocent.
2. SCOTLAND: LOCH NESS MONSTER Ah, ol’ Nessie. Where to start with this most famous of all mythical creatures? The earliest recorded account of Nessie was way back in the 6th century, when St Columba tasked one of his monks with swimming across the loch. As he did so, the monster reared its head, and Columba shouted at the creature: “Go no further, nor touch the man! Go back!” Since then, Nessie has entered mainstream discourse. And, although there are some early eyewitness accounts of some tame maulings, the ‘monster’, as far as we know, has never hurt anyone.
3. NEPAL: YETI
4. JAPAN: KAPPA
Speak to anyone from Japan about the kappa and it’s likely they’ll know all about it. Used to scare children for millennia, the kappa — a mythical water goblin — is an important part of Japanese folklore. This river-dwelling creature is generally described as reptilian with a green or bluish hue, and its name translates as ‘river child’, so expect it to be a little mischievous in nature. Unlike friendlier creatures from Asian folklore, Kappas are best avoided — rumour has it they lure people from the banks of rivers and lakes before pulling
them into the water.
5. AUSTRALIA: DROP BEAR
Australia’s New South Wales region is thought to be home to the Drop Bear. Cute and cuddly like the koala? Sadly not. According to the Expedia guide, the Drop Bear is reported to “actively prey on humans”, particularly tourists! These hungry, man-eating bears live in treetops, launching themselves on their sorry victims when they least expect it. 6. SOUTH AFRICA: IMPUNDULU
One of the most interesting creatures to come from the Zulu culture of South Africa is the impundulu, or ‘lightning bird’, which is said to keep watch over the country’s Eastern Cape. The impundulu is so called because of its ability to trigger storms instantly. This mythological creature is rooted in Zulu folklore and, as well as causing thunder and lightning, is said to be a shape-shifter — one that likes to suck blood.