Houtouwan , a once - prosper Chinese fishing village place about 40 mile sou'-east of Shanghai , is now empty and spookily overgrown with ivy . Well , not entirely empty — the abandoned townsfolk has become a popular tourist destination since it was " rediscover " by traveller in 2015 , asTravel+Leisurereports .
Located on Shengshan , one of 394 island that make up the Shengsi archipelago , the township was home to 2000 mass in the ' 90s . However , when villager could no longer contend with commercial fishing operation in Shanghai , they picked up and moved to the mainland in search of better opportunities . Some left all of their furniture and belongings behind , which can still be seen if you peer inside some of the desert homes .
Only a few people still live in the Greenwich Village , including tour guides quick to ply to queer tourist who find out themselves captivated by the half - ruined buildings blanketed in plant and vine . " It feels like this situation belonged to nature from the very origin , and the sure-enough invaders ultimately left , and nature finally made it back , " Huang Dan , a recent visitant to the town , told theAssociated Press .
Last year , a holidaymaker introduction fee of 50 yen ( about 50 cents ) was reenact in the Ithiel Town . The terminus is pop among hikers and has a grunge path that winds through the village and up the hill . ( Emphasis on " uphill " : It ’s a two - 60 minutes rise , so be sure to bring just walking brake shoe . )
According toNational Geographic , the journeying from mainland China to the town of Houtouwan takes about five hour by jitney and ferry , and it ’s easy to get lose . ( A videographer and photographer spent 36 time of day trying to get there because they could n’t find the proper ferry or connecter . ) Per the magazine ’s focussing :
As for whether any ghost inhabit this ghost town , there is n’t much to fear . One longtime resident narrate the AP , " I ’ve lived in this world for such a long time , and have never meet one . "
[ h / tTravel+Leisure ]
