探访全球10大鬼城｜人类消失后，世界会怎样？答案就在其中
01 Centralia, USA: The Town on Fire for 60 Years Hey everyone, welcome to Stepabreath. This is a town where humans can’t really live. In some spots, the ground temperature hits 540 degrees Celsius. And the air is thick with toxic gases like carbon monoxide. This town is the real-life inspiration for the movie and game “Silent Hill.” It’s Centralia, in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Right now, only 7 permanent residents are left. And the reason it became a ghost town? A fire at the local landfill decades ago. Centralia used to be a bustling mining town. At its peak in 1890, it had a population of 2,761 people. The town had seven churches, five hotels, twenty-seven bars, two theaters, a bank, a post office, and 14 general stores. It was both a beautiful and a very dangerous place. But on May 27, 1962, a fire broke out at the local dump. The fire entered the underground labyrinth of the old mines through an unsealed opening. And it’s been burning ever since, for nearly 60 years. For decades, the underground fire has crept along the coal-rich seams, venting hot, toxic gases into the town through people’s basements. As the horror grew, residents began to realize the fire was impossible to put out. Even though there were no visible flames on the surface, they were living in an epic, meatless barbecue. A $42 million government relocation program that started in 1984 finally ended in 2005. The government had already revoked the town’s zip code back in 2002. In 2013, the last 7 residents reached a settlement with the state, allowing them to stay in Centralia until they die. Today, the fire burns 90 meters underground across a 15-square-kilometer area. Most of the buildings on the surface have been demolished. In recent years, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has strongly discouraged tourists from visiting. But the more they warn people away, the more visitors come. Centralia has now become a tourist attraction. Visitors love to explore the empty streets and houses. The main attraction is the abandoned “Graffiti Highway,” a stretch of Route 61. The underground fire caused the road to crack and vent toxic smoke. So fans have renamed this stretch the “Highway to Hell.” Right now, the best-preserved building in Centralia is this white church. An old man walking behind the church said he’s lived in Centralia for the past 62 years. The underground fire is expected to burn for another 250 years. 02 Kolmanskop, Namibia: The Diamond Ghost Town Over 100 years ago, in the deserts of southern Africa, a worker lost an oxcart during a sandstorm. A few years later, where the cart was lost, a bustling German-style town had sprung up. At its peak, over a thousand German colonists and their families lived here, along with 800 local native workers. But later, the town was completely abandoned. And now, nature has gently taken it back. Years of wind and sand have battered the distinctive German architecture. The dunes have squeezed their way into the rooms, forming alluring curves and surreal shapes. This once-richest town in Africa, arguably the richest in the world at the time, has now become a lonely ghost town, lost to the wind and sand. But the play of light and shadow created by the dunes and buildings has unintentionally turned this ghost town into a photographer’s paradise. This desert ghost town is named Kolmanskop. It’s located in the heart of Namibia’s “Sperrgebiet” or forbidden zone. It’s about 10 km from the nearest port city of Lüderitz. Although Kolmanskop was in the middle of the desert, it once boasted luxurious amenities, including a hospital, post office, bar, ice factory, a skittle alley similar to bowling, a concert hall that hired local performers and theater troupes, and several European opera companies. And the source of all this prosperity? Diamonds that were literally scattered all over the ground, visible even by moonlight. Kolmanskop was the first town in Africa to have a tram. One night in 1908, a railway worker named Zacharias Lewala was clearing sand from the tracks. In the faint moonlight, he noticed many stones on the sand’s surface sparkling. Later, his German boss confirmed that these stones were, in fact, diamonds. The news of diamonds in the desert spread like wildfire. More and more people flocked to the desert to seek their fortune. Four years later, a luxurious town had risen from the ground. This tiny desert outpost was producing one million carats of diamonds annually, accounting for 11.7% of the world’s total diamond production at the time. From then on, the wealthy town of Kolmanskop became a lavish spire in the barren desert. All of its drinking water was brought in by train. The town’s hospital was equipped with Africa’s first X-ray machine, its purpose being to scan the diamond workers to see if they had swallowed any diamonds. The town’s first prospectors got rich overnight just by picking up diamonds from the desert floor. But the German government wasn’t about to let this wealth slip through its fingers. They took strict measures, declaring the town and a large surrounding area a forbidden zone, and granted exclusive mining rights to a Berlin-based company. Many of the local indigenous people were driven out or forced to work in the mines. But all natural resources eventually run out. Finally, the diamonds within the town’s 75-square-kilometer forbidden zone were depleted. In 1956, the town was completely abandoned and reclaimed by nature. In 2002, a local private company called “Ghost Town Tours” was granted exclusive rights to operate tourism in the ghost town. More and more tourists and photographers were able to enter the forbidden zone to explore the sand-covered ruins. Today, about 35,000 tourists visit the ghost town annually. If you want to go, you’ll need a permit first. It’s best to arrive before sunrise to capture even more amazing photos. The ghost town of Kolmanskop often appears in South African TV shows and movies. According to official sources, the buildings are losing their battle against the sand. It might not be long before the ghost town disappears completely into the desert. So if you want to go, you’d better hurry! 03 Ross Island: Ghost of the Indian Ocean In the Indian Ocean, there’s an abandoned ghost island. It’s a bit like Houtouwan Village in China that we’ve talked about, or the jungle-covered lost city of Angkor Wat. The British once called it the “Paris of the East.” It had luxurious houses and grand churches. But now, it’s been ruthlessly reclaimed by nature. This is the eerie colonial settlement of Ross Island, a morbidly fascinating ghost town in India’s Andaman Islands. Ross Island was named after Captain Daniel Ross, a marine surveyor. They discovered the island in 1788 and established a hospital and sanatorium on it. But due to harsh weather and a high mortality rate, they soon abandoned it. It wasn’t until 1857 that the British chose Ross Island, over 1,000 km from mainland India, as an isolated penal colony for Indian mutineers. This was because, according to ancient Hindu scriptures, crossing the sea was a taboo that would lead to a loss of social standing. Ross Island is only 0.3 square kilometers, but it’s completely covered in thick, pristine jungle. Indian prisoners cleared the jungle and constructed various buildings. As the penal colony expanded, the prisoners were moved to jails on neighboring islands. Ross Island became the administrative headquarters of the Andaman Islands, and an exclusive settlement for high-ranking officials and their families. However, the once-vibrant social scene and tropical gardens were brought to an end by a major earthquake in 1941 and the Japanese invasion. At the end of World War II in 1945, the British reoccupied Ross Island. But before India’s independence in 1947, the British colony was dissolved. Ross Island was completely abandoned. It was taken over by the Indian Navy in 1979. Today, Ross Island is still controlled by the Indian Navy. You can still see all the modern facilities left by the British, now being slowly swallowed by giant banyan trees. In the early 20th century, British officers introduced many deer to the Andaman Islands for hunting. Today, wild deer and peacocks are the only residents of Ross Island. Ross Island is a small island right next to Port Blair. It has become a popular tourist destination. There are walkways, electric carts, and small shops. Through a well-choreographed light and sound show, visitors can learn about the island’s former glory through its present ruins. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, an isolated archipelago of 572 tropical islands. Only 38 of them are inhabited. They’re closer to Southeast Asia than to India, known for their stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, rich coral reefs, and vast pristine forests. However, the most famous of all is this eerily charming ghost island of Ross. 04 Chernobyl, Ukraine: The Animal Paradise This is an amusement park that was never used. The Ferris wheel stands still on its rusty frame. The bumper cars are rusted and decayed. The grounds are overgrown with weeds. Abandoned kindergarten rooms are littered with toys. And the sight of children’s gas masks scattered on the floor is shocking. Scenes left behind after the hasty evacuation of humans, as if time is still frozen in that tense moment. On the empty school desks, there are books that were never packed away. The deserted swimming pool gets plenty of light, though. What’s truly chilling are the remnants of the Soviet Union left everywhere. It’s not just a post-apocalyptic landscape. It’s a snapshot of a brutal Soviet utopia and the disaster story behind it. Everyone is familiar with the name Chernobyl. More than 30 years later, the name still inspires fear. On April 26, 1986, the world’s worst nuclear accident happened here. The amount of radiation released was 400 times that of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. But today, this 30-kilometer exclusion zone attracts tens of thousands of curious tourists. And it’s become a major tourist attraction for Ukraine. The once-thriving town of Pripyat was home to many of the power plant’s workers. Its 50,000 residents were hastily evacuated the day after the explosion. And almost no one has ever returned. Visiting Chernobyl is jokingly called “dark tourism” by visitors. Because the radiation is still present. Tourists have to sign a waiver and are told not to touch any objects or vegetation. The radiation levels are usually 10 times higher than normal. But tour companies promise it’s perfectly safe as long as you stick with your guide. Still, tourists have to go through a scanner when they leave. If the scanner’s alarm goes off, guards will decontaminate you before you’re allowed to leave. The Chernobyl disaster was a level 7 event, the highest on the International Nuclear Event Scale. Its radioactive fallout reached as far as Sweden and Wales. Chernobyl is located about 100 km north of Kyiv, Ukraine. When tourists talk about visiting Chernobyl, they usually mean the power plant itself. But the exclusion zone actually includes several towns and a large forest area. A tour of Chernobyl will stop at many different sites within the zone. Ukraine has even created a tourist map for it, highlighting 6 key sites in the exclusion zone. The infamous Reactor 4 and the plant’s cooling channel. The abandoned ghost town of Pripyat. The Chernobyl-2 military base, which once housed a large number of soldiers. The giant Duga radar station used for missile detection. The Chernobyl administrative center. And the vehicle graveyard. The map also marks the main animal habitats in the zone, like where bears, deer, wild horses, foxes, and wolves are often seen. It even includes spots for feeding the giant catfish in the cooling channel. In the 30 years since humans left, the exclusion zone has become a paradise for wildlife. Would the Earth be better off without humans? Feeding the foxes is a popular activity for tourists here. The clever little foxes even know to take the sandwiches back to share. The drive from Kyiv to Chernobyl takes about two hours. A one-day tour costs about $100 per person. Tours are usually small, with about 10 people. Of course, if one day isn’t enough, you can join a two, three, or even longer in-depth tour. For photographers, a private tour would be the best option. In winter, the exclusion zone is often covered in thick snow. It’s very quiet, even eerie. Many people prefer to visit Chernobyl in the warmer months. The autumn foliage is beautiful. Reactor 4 is being covered by a new, massive confinement structure. About 200 tons of radioactive material will remain sealed for another 100 years. As you wander through the empty villages, cities, and roads of the zone, you might get a strange feeling, as if you’re the last person on Earth. Don’t you think? 05 Sathorn Unique: Bangkok’s Ghost Tower About ghost towns and haunted buildings, we’ve talked a lot before. Today, we’re going to talk about another internationally famous abandoned building. This derelict building stands out starkly in the city. It once had a very beautiful plan, but it’s been abandoned for over 20 years. But what’s strange is, the more it decays, the more famous it gets. More and more international tourists come to see it. Especially the rooftop on the 47th floor. It’s become a popular spot for urban explorers and travel photographers. The building is called the Sathorn Unique Tower. It’s located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Its commercial brochure described it as: “Sathorn Unique Tower is a luxury residential project in downtown Bangkok. The tower is 49 stories high, with 659 residential units and 54 retail shops. It’s less than 200 meters from the Skytrain station and is one of Bangkok’s most important landmarks.” It was also recognized as the most beautiful building in Bangkok, and the best spot to enjoy the magnificent city views and the charm of the Chao Phraya River. Sathorn Unique Tower was supposed to be a luxurious skyscraper. But instead, it became a creepy, abandoned skyscraper. It all goes back to the Asian financial crisis over 20 years ago. Back in the 1990s, Thailand’s economy was booming. The future looked brighter than ever. Everything seemed to be going incredibly well. Developers were building everywhere: tall office buildings and skyscraper residences. It seemed like these towering buildings truly represented the nation’s wealth. Sathorn Unique Tower was one of the major construction projects started during Thailand’s economic boom in the 90s. It was meant to be a testament to the country’s rapid economic growth. The project began in 1990. It was designed by a famous Thai architect and real estate developer, Rangsan Torsuwan. Construction began under his supervision. The main funding came from Thai-Mex Finance and Securities. And the construction was handled by Si Phraya Co. But after three years of construction, in 1993, the architect, Rangsan, was arrested and accused of plotting to murder the President of the Supreme Court of Thailand. Although the murder never actually happened, at the same time, the Sathorn Unique Tower project began to fall apart. Rangsan was later convicted in 2008, but was acquitted on appeal in 2010. But regardless, the case crippled his ability to financially support the project, and also scared away many investors. On top of that, the 1997 Asian financial crisis was the final nail in the coffin. When the financial storm hit, Bangkok’s real estate market collapsed overnight. The financial companies funding the project went bankrupt. Construction across the entire city came to a halt. At that time, over 300 skyscrapers in Bangkok were left unfinished. This was the inevitable result of over-investment in real estate and heavy debt behind the facade of rapid growth. Over the next decade, as the economy slowly recovered, many of the stalled buildings were completed. When construction on Sathorn Unique stopped, it was only 80% complete. The core structure was nearly finished, but the interior infrastructure was not yet installed. And the partition walls and structural details, especially on the upper floors, were also unfinished. Rangsan’s architectural style has been described as “exuberant postmodernism,” using neo-Grecian elements, especially in the columns and balconies. As more time passed, this infamous abandoned building started to look more and more like a survivor of a nuclear blast, gradually taking on a eerie, post-apocalyptic look. The plants growing on some of the intricate balconies are the only living things inside this building. Locals say the building is haunted. In late 2014, a local photographer who entered the building found a Swedish man who had hanged himself on a balcony on the 43rd floor. This was the first time since it was abandoned that the Ghost Tower was once again in the international spotlight. The police later concluded that the man’s death was a suicide. But the local nickname “Ghost Tower” seemed to have found real evidence. The tower now had a real ghost. And because of this name, Sathorn Unique Tower gradually began to pique the interest of urban explorers and tourists from all over the world. They wanted to see the cracked and decaying interior of the building, while also testing their own courage and stamina. By climbing to the 47th floor rooftop, they could also enjoy the most beautiful and unique views of Bangkok. Climbing the Ghost Tower slowly became a bragging right for tourists worldwide. As one blogger wrote in his article: “One morning in Bangkok, while I was eating at my hotel, I overheard a strange conversation between an American tourist and an Australian backpacker. The American said, ‘Dude, you haven’t climbed the Ghost Tower yet?’ The Australian’s coffee cup hovered in mid-air. He said angrily, ‘The Ghost Tower? I haven’t been to the Ghost Tower!’ What happened next is easy to guess. The Australian and I went to climb the Ghost Tower that afternoon.” Later, a rumor started to spread: if you go to Bangkok and don’t climb the Ghost Tower, it’s like you were never there. It seems climbing the Ghost Tower really has become a bragging right. As a ghost tower, Sathorn Unique is easy to find. The decaying tower is surrounded by shops and residential buildings. And there are street food stalls all around. But the building itself is tightly fenced off. There are warning signs on the fence prohibiting entry, and also warning that trespassers will be prosecuted. In fact, in September 2015, the director of Sathorn Unique, Pansit Torsuwan, revealed that he had filed criminal charges against five people who had posted photos of the building online, including a pair of foreigners who had uploaded a parkour video on the building. He said the move was to deter people from climbing the building because it’s not safe. But this didn’t stop people’s curiosity. With the spread of information online, the criminal charges actually acted as an advertisement for adventure. In the past few years, the number of tourists from all over the world illegally entering the building has skyrocketed. On some weekends, over a hundred people have entered the building. Although there are guards, getting into the Ghost Tower isn’t that difficult. The tricky part is finding the only entrance. On the surface, all the fences and gates look solid. But it’s not unguarded. A “toll” is pretty much expected. You just need to pay 200 baht per person, about $7, to get in. Usually, people enter the Ghost Tower in groups of at least two. A flashlight, phone, and camera are essential gear. Many tourists also bring water, drinks, and beer to celebrate when they reach the top. Inside, massive, sometimes graffiti-covered square pillars support the first few floors. Two abandoned elevators sit in place. It’s said that the smell of urine hits you as soon as you enter. On the first 5 to 10 floors, there’s not much to see. Just dilapidated stone hallways and uninspiring graffiti scattered in the rooms. The stairwells are dark and you need a flashlight. There are no handrails, so you need to be extra careful. Walking through the long hallways, floor after floor, try not to think about the person who hanged himself in the building. Otherwise, you might start feeling like something is floating, running, or jumping around. With the sound of your footsteps echoing in the dark, damp hallways, you’ll probably feel a chill down your spine. Because in the summer of 2016, a Thai film crew came to the Ghost Tower to shoot a horror movie called “The Promise.” The plot revolves around two teenage girls who, during the Asian financial crisis, go to the tower to commit suicide when their families face ruin. Whether you watch the movie before climbing the tower, or climb it after watching the movie, the effect might be a little different. The feeling of knowing what’s coming, the lingering fear… the psychological impact on your senses might be more than you can handle. Although the basic structure is complete, the concrete exterior walls disappear above the 20th floor. What’s left is exposed metal and a half-finished roof. Rebar sticks out everywhere. And construction debris is piled all over. The abandoned rooms are filled with strange objects, from discarded concrete pillars to toilets and bathtubs. At this point, you really feel like you’re on a horror movie set. After the 30th floor, most of the balconies look the same. Some don’t even have railings or barriers. The ultimate victory when entering the Ghost Tower is to take a celebratory photo on the rooftop. The rooftop is about 170 meters above the ground. Standing on the roof, you can not only enjoy the view of Bangkok, but also take a lot of heart-pounding videos or photos. And that’s definitely something to brag about. When it’s busy, there can be dozens or even hundreds of people on the rooftop. Everyone gathers together, looking like they’re enjoying another small victory of self-challenge. Many tourists climb the Ghost Tower to watch the sunrise or sunset. Especially at night, it’s a popular spot for city views. Although the view of Bangkok is breathtaking, the weather in Bangkok is very hot and humid. Staying too long might not be very comfortable. After all, once you go up, you have to come down. As for why the Sathorn Unique Tower was abandoned, we’ve already talked about it in detail. But among the locals, there are a few other rumors. Some say the building is haunted because it was built on a former cemetery. Another rumor claims that the building’s shadow falls on the neighboring Wat Yannawa, which is considered a bad omen, preventing its completion. There’s a folk belief in Thailand that you shouldn’t build tall buildings near temples. Locals believe it’s disrespectful to the Buddha and will bring disaster. Finally, a few more words. Why is no one willing to take over this abandoned Ghost Tower? First, some believe the building is unlucky and don’t want to touch it. Second, there’s a more practical reason. Local construction engineers say that many unfinished buildings can’t last more than a decade. Even without major structural damage, Bangkok’s hot and humid climate is enough to make them slowly crumble. While these buildings might not necessarily collapse, repairing or reinforcing their crumbling structures would be prohibitively expensive. Compared to other places, Thai courts and government officials are not very proactive in forcing bankrupt investors to deal with their properties. Many influential families, even after bankruptcy, can still hold on to their useless assets. Also, there’s plenty of land in Bangkok, so developers don’t have to tear down old abandoned buildings. They can just build elsewhere. With no one to take it over, the Sathorn Unique Tower is destined to remain abandoned. But finally, a reminder: the abandoned Ghost Tower of Thailand, though famous, you should try to avoid climbing it. After all, it’s not very safe. When you’re out and about, safety is most important. And if you can’t go? Don’t feel bad. Just watch Stepabreath on your phone. Isn’t that just as good? What do you think? 06 Gunkanjima, Japan: The Abandoned Hell Island Japan’s abandoned Battleship Island is full of decay and dark secrets. Its history is complicated, but one thing is clear: when humans leave, nature takes over, and buildings crumble. 17.5 km off the coast of Nagasaki, lies an abandoned island called Hashima. Because of its warship-like shape, it’s also known as Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island. Of course, due to its dark history, it’s also called Prison Island, Hell Island, and Ghost Island. Originally, Battleship Island was just a small reef. Through land reclamation for coal mining, the island was expanded to three times its original size. A concrete sea wall completely encloses it. From 1887 to 1974, Battleship Island supplied a steady stream of coal for Japan’s industrial development. And on this tiny island of just 6.3 hectares, at its peak, over 5,000 miners and their families lived here. It became the most densely populated place on Earth at the time. But once oil began to replace coal, the coal mines closed, and people left. But as the concrete walls crumbled and nature took over, the decaying island caught the attention of those interested in historical ruins. Of course, Battleship Island’s past isn’t that simple. During World War II, Japan used Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war as forced labor, making the island’s history even darker. Due to unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, and exhaustion, from the 1930s to the end of World War II, over 1,000 workers died on the island. Battleship Island was listed as a World Heritage site in 2015. But its inclusion remains controversial. It’s unclear whether the island’s focus should be on its role in Japan’s rapid industrial revolution, or as a reminder of the forced laborers who had to endure inhumane conditions. The undersea coal on the island was first discovered in the 19th century. To catch up with Western colonial powers, Japan began a period of rapid industrialization in the mid-19th century. After being acquired by Mitsubishi in 1890, Battleship Island became Japan’s first undersea coal mining base. In 1916, Japan’s first large reinforced concrete building was constructed on the island. Soon after, other apartments, schools, a hospital, a post office, shops, and other infrastructure were completed. And all the buildings were connected by underground tunnels. In 1959, the island’s population peaked at 5,259 residents. Starting in the 1960s, as oil replaced coal, coal mines across Japan began to close. In January 1974, Mitsubishi officially closed the Battleship Island mine. Even though the island has been uninhabited for decades, Mitsubishi still owns it. After renovations, Battleship Island opened to tourists in 2009 as a creepy historical ruin. Although tourism is booming, and it was featured as a location in a James Bond film, most of the island remains off-limits to tourists. But that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting. The controversy over the island’s dark history centers on the tragic experiences of the forced laborers. This adds a whole different layer of eeriness to the island. According to local records, between 1925 and 1945, at least 123 Koreans and 15 Chinese died on the island. Although Battleship Island’s initial World Heritage application was based on its role in Japan’s Meiji-era industrialization, it made no mention of the Korean and Chinese forced laborers. So, South Korea strongly objected. They even displayed their reasons for opposition on the big screens in Times Square, New York. Although South Korea later withdrew its objection, its film “The Battleship Island” sharply stated their position. It even surpassed the box office hit “Train to Busan.” At a WHC meeting in July 2015, Japan’s ambassador to UNESCO admitted that a large number of Koreans and others were forced to work under harsh conditions at some of the sites during the 1940s. However, since Japanese officials repeatedly refuse to use the term “forced labor” or call the Korean workers “slaves,” the tension between South Korea and Japan has not completely disappeared. The history behind Battleship Island is rich, complex, and dark. But in the end, we must remember that its dark history also includes the tragic fate of Chinese laborers. 07 Houtouwan, China: The Green Wonderland This is China’s most beautiful, fairytale-like green wonderland. Like a dreamy Alice in Wonderland. This is Houtouwan Village, on Shengshan Island in Shengsi, Zhoushan. Abandoned for 20 years, it’s become a paradise. There’s an old saying: Mother Nature always takes back what she gave you. In the 1980s, Houtouwan was a wealthy village in Shengshan Town. People made a living from fishing, and every family built a detached house. They lived happily in this peaceful place facing the sea. Beautiful scenery, outstanding people, isolated from the world. It was so prosperous it was even called “Little Taiwan.” But starting in the 1990s, fishing resources began to decline. And the entire industry began to industrialize. Villagers left one after another to seek a better life in the cities. In 2002, the empty Houtouwan Village was officially decommissioned. Forgotten by the world for 20 years, although some people still live in Houtouwan, it looks almost completely reclaimed by nature. Many of the abandoned houses have been swallowed by climbing vines. The rampant vines cover the walls, windows, and roofs, creating a stunning, real-life green wonderland. Whenever it’s foggy or rainy, the entire village gives off an eerie atmosphere. But this is also one of the reasons it’s so attractive to tourists. It’s hard to imagine such a paradise exists in one of China’s most prosperous regions. It’s a stark contrast to the modern skylines of countless Chinese metropolises. Untouched by humans for 20 years, this deserted island returning to nature is breathtakingly beautiful. As the saying goes, where there are few people, there are great wonders. To have the chance to encounter such a village is nature’s sweetest reward for the arduous journey of tourists. No hustle and bustle of traffic, no coldness of steel and concrete. Just a vibrant green that fills your eyes. The Shengsi Islands are not short of tourists, but this abandoned fishing village was left untouched. And that’s precisely why it received nature’s most careful attention, becoming the only abandoned beauty spot in China as famous as the Great Wall. The sea is blue, the sky is blue, and the village is a mesmerizing green. In the past, only photographers came here. But now, more and more tourists are making Houtouwan Village a must-see destination on their list. If you decide to visit, remember to wear long pants to protect against snakes and scorpions. And be careful to stay away from the houses. Safety first. So, what do you think? Wanna visit this real-life green wonderland? 08 Akarmara, Abkhazia: The Soviet Ghost Town We’ve talked about ghost towns before, like Canfranc, the world’s largest ghost train station, and Whittier, a city in a single building in Alaska. And the abandoned ghost island of Ross in the Indian Ocean. Many of the world’s ghost towns are the result of brutal wars and man-made disasters. But there’s another factor that creates ghost towns: the collapse of a nation. Just look at Russia, the country with the most ghost towns. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, former experimental bases, aviation centers, and secret research institutes, as well as private sanatoriums and many mines, became dark, silent ghost towns. The ghost town we’re talking about today is considered by tourists to be one of the most attractive post-apocalyptic destinations. Located in the Abkhazia region of Georgia, it’s the abandoned Soviet-era mining town of Akarmara. Akarmara was built during the Stalin era and consists of dozens of 5-story apartment buildings. It was once as prosperous as a fashionable Paris in the mountains. It had hotels, schools, a hospital, restaurants, a cultural center, a cinema, and a market. Some of the Stalinist neoclassical buildings were built by German prisoners of war after World War II. Akarmara is located in the picturesque Aaldzga River valley in eastern Abkhazia. Today, the abandoned tunnels and dismantled railway have become perfect grazing grounds. You can see pigs running around the ghost town, along with barking dogs and startled cats. Although all 8 coal mines near Akarmara are abandoned, one or two families still live in each dilapidated building. About 20-some residents have chosen to live here permanently. Walking into the buildings, some rooms are still in the state they were left in when people fled. These scenes are quite similar to Chernobyl. But Akarmara’s former residents didn’t leave because of a nuclear explosion. The reason the ghost town exists today, besides the abandoned mines after the Soviet collapse, is most importantly, because of a brutal war. Akarmara belongs to the Tkvarcheli combat zone, an industrial city in eastern Abkhazia. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia. This was followed by an ethnic conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia. Russia provided military support to Abkhazia in its war against Georgia. Thousands of refugees fled to the small town of Akarmara. During the brutal 413-day siege by Georgian forces, hundreds of residents and refugees in Akarmara died from bombings, shootings, and starvation. War and economic changes brought the town of 5,000 people in the 1970s almost back to zero overnight. Akarmara now looks like an illustration from a post-apocalyptic book or video game. Rusted truck frames, water erosion, weeds and trees taking root in the walls of buildings. Although there are talks of turning Akarmara into a resort, the general poverty and chaos in the widely unrecognized Republic of Abkhazia mean this probably won’t happen anytime soon. To Georgia, Abkhazia is a territory forcibly occupied by Russia. Russia has issued Russian passports to most of Abkhazia’s residents and has consistently supported its secession from Georgia. Living in a place that doesn’t exist on the political map, everyone in Abkhazia seems to be struggling day by day. Perhaps because it was once Stalin’s resort area, it’s no surprise that more than one ghost town like Akarmara was born. What do you think? 09 Pyramiden, Norway: The Soviet Ghost Town This is one of the most fascinating ghost towns in the world. First, it’s the northernmost ghost town in the world, located at 79°N latitude. Second, it was once the most advanced representative of a Soviet communist community, a model pioneer showcasing the superiority of Soviet communism to the world. But the reality of history is brutal. Since 1998, this magnificent community, which had the world’s northernmost school, cultural palace, cinema, and swimming pool, has been permanently missing its most important element: its residents. But since becoming a ghost town, thanks to the protection of the Arctic permafrost and harsh climate, it hasn’t decayed much after being abandoned for over 20 years. The entire community is like it’s been kept in a freezer, still a perfect example of the grim, brutalist hammer-and-sickle ideology of the Soviet Union. Experts estimate this scene can be preserved for at least another 500 years. The ghost town is named Pyramiden, which means “pyramid.” The name comes from the nearby pyramid-shaped mountain. The world’s northernmost statue of Lenin is the spiritual pillar of this ghost town. Pyramiden is located on the Svalbard archipelago, between Norway and the North Pole, 50 km north of Longyearbyen. It was originally founded by Swedes in 1910. As we mentioned last time, Svalbard is an international territory. Since the early 20th century, coal mining has been the main commercial activity here. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 granted sovereignty of the archipelago to Norway. Russia, busy with its civil war, missed the chance to sign the treaty. But how could the Soviet Union, led by Lenin, give up such a strategic Arctic location? So, the Soviet Union quickly joined the treaty, and has been developing commercial activities on Svalbard alongside Norway ever since. In 1926, Norway established Longyearbyen. In 1927, the Soviet Union bought Pyramiden from the Swedes, and acquired the coal mining rights there in 1936. After World War II, the Soviet Union invested heavily in Pyramiden, and the mining community began to flourish. But in reality, the coal mine in Pyramiden was never profitable. So why did the Soviet Union keep mining there for decades? It all goes back to Svalbard’s unique international status. Because citizens of the 42 signatory countries can enter and exit freely without a visa. So, in the eyes of the Soviet Union, Pyramiden was a way to showcase its communist community to the world. In fact, the quality of life for workers here was a hundred times better than for people back in the Soviet Union. Pyramiden had all the standard cultural and recreational facilities for the working class. Especially its heated swimming pool in the Arctic, which even attracted children from Longyearbyen. The standard gymnasium still doesn’t look outdated today. And the lawn around the Lenin statue, most of the soil for it was brought from Ukraine. Such a lawn is extremely rare in the Arctic. Facing a severe shortage of supplies, the imported soil was also used in greenhouses to grow various fruits and vegetables. The community also had cowsheds, chicken coops, and pigsties, achieving 100% high-quality self-sufficiency in a harsh environment. The community’s most famous street was named after the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution. The workers and technicians who came here were the best in the Soviet Union. Interestingly, the dormitory for single men was named “London,” while the one for single women was called “Paris.” The family apartment was called the “Crazy House.” It’s said there was even a secret tunnel connecting “London” and “Paris.” But at the end of the day, an unprofitable venture, done just for show, can’t last. Pyramiden had little coal reserves and high mining costs. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s financial support for Pyramiden became increasingly strained. Coupled with a plane crash in 1996 that killed 141 miners and their families, Russia finally closed the Pyramiden coal mine in 1998. The glorious Soviet community, which housed over 1,000 people in the 80s, became a ghost town in just a few months. Since 2007, Pyramiden has become a tourist attraction with a “return to the USSR” theme. From May to October, tourists can take a day trip from Longyearbyen for about $220-260 per person. Actually, after the Soviets bought Pyramiden from the Swedes in 1927, they bought another mining community, Barentsburg, from the Dutch in 1934. It’s said that the messy state of the rooms in Pyramiden today was caused by the miners from Barentsburg. Why is that? We’ll continue next time. 10 Barentsburg: Norway’s Little Russia Last time, we talked about Pyramiden, the world’s northernmost charming mining ghost town. After it was abandoned in 1998, about half of the miners didn’t return to Russia. Instead, they chose to continue working at Russia’s other mining town on Svalbard. Staying in the high Arctic would earn them a higher income. This still-active mining town is named Barentsburg. It’s located 60 km west of Longyearbyen and is the second-largest settlement on Svalbard after Longyearbyen. The town has 450 miners, mostly Russians and Ukrainians. So, Barentsburg is also seen as Norway’s “Little Russia.” And Russia considers Barentsburg its gateway to the Arctic. The Russian consulate in the town is a clear symbol of this. The Russian mining company still operates the mine in the town. But in recent years, it has also started investing in tourism. Barentsburg is distinctly different from Longyearbyen and Pyramiden. It has not only pristine Arctic nature, but also Russian culture and Soviet-era architecture. Tourists can visit the mine and enjoy traditional Russian cuisine. Through the world’s northernmost brewery, you can enjoy local vodka at the famous Red Bear Pub. 25. This wooden Russian Orthodox chapel, built to commemorate the 1996 plane crash near Longyearbyen, shows tourists the town’s identity. Of course, the main attraction in town is the world’s second-northernmost statue of Lenin, built in 1974. The statue’s significance was, first, to commemorate the completion of the first multi-story residential building. And second, to declare to the world: “Our goal is communism.” An even grander ideal is inscribed on the hillside behind: “World Peace.” Barentsburg’s coal mining area is closely linked to the town. The power plant’s chimney spews black smoke all day. You’d think this was the bleakest place on Earth. But walking through the town, you’ll find it’s full of street art. This is to make life for the miners and their families brighter and more colorful during the long, dark winter. Of course, the town also has a workers’ cultural palace, a club, and other recreational facilities. Barentsburg is named after the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz, who first discovered Svalbard. In 1912, a Norwegian company left a guard here to prevent competitors from encroaching. At that time, Barentsburg was still uninhabited. In 1916, Norwegians first tried to mine coal here. But since they didn’t have the funds for industrial-scale mining, they sold Barentsburg to a Dutch company in 1920. But the Dutch company also had problems running the mine, so in 1932, Barentsburg was acquired by the Soviet Union. While mining for coal, the Soviets also expanded Barentsburg in a communist style. Unfortunately, during World War II, a German warship completely destroyed the mining town. So most of the buildings you see today were rebuilt in the 70s and 80s. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the buildings in Barentsburg underwent another remodeling. Many examples of Soviet working-class propaganda disappeared. The only thing that was preserved was the statue of Lenin. Barentsburg wants to present itself as a modern Russian society, not a Soviet-style industrial town. Currently, the coal mine in Barentsburg is still active. Every year, from a coal seam over 1,000 meters below the permafrost, 140,000 tons of coal are extracted. The local power plant burns 30,000 tons, and the rest is shipped to the UK. But it’s not exactly profitable. So in recent years, Russia has started developing Arctic tourism in Barentsburg. Since Norway hasn’t approved Russian airlines to land in Longyearbyen, Russia has opened a sea route from Murmansk. Over 30,000 tourists visit the ghost town of Pyramiden and Barentsburg every year. The post offices in both mining communities are run by the Norwegian postal service. There are also day trips from Longyearbyen that include a glacier and Barentsburg. On the way, you’ll also pass by another abandoned Russian mining village, Grumant. But the day trip to Pyramiden can only operate in the summer due to sea ice. It’s clear that Barentsburg’s goal is to transform from a gritty coal town into Russia’s Arctic tourism gateway. This little Russian town on Norwegian soil, are you interested? Travel deeper, learn more. Leave a comment if you have questions, and feel free to share and like. Finally, don’t forget, the next video will be even more exciting. This is Stepabreath.
全球10大鬼城 | 近半数与前苏联有关。人类消失后，世界会变成什么样？这期将带你穿越时空，探访全球10个最震撼的“鬼城”。从被地下大火燃烧了60年的现实版《寂静岭》，到曾遍地钻石如今却被沙漠吞噬的非洲小镇，再到切尔诺贝利无人区的动物天堂…
准备好，见证繁华落尽后的世界。
这是一份献给城市探险家和历史爱好者的终极清单。我们穿越各大洲，寻找那些被时间遗忘的角落，倾听它们无声的故事。你将看到：一场垃圾场火灾，如何让一座美国小镇的地狱之火燃烧至今？一座被绿色藤蔓完全覆盖的中国渔村，为何美得令人心碎？一座前苏联在北极的模范城市，为何在一夜之间人去楼空？
跟随我们的镜头，走进这些或悲壮、或诡异、或绝美的废墟。无论你是黑暗旅游的爱好者，还是对人类文明的脆弱性充满好奇，这期视频都将带给你深刻的思考和无与伦比的视觉体验。
00:00 人类消失后的世界：全球10大鬼城
00:09 1. 美国中央利亚 (Centralia, USA) – 燃烧60年的寂静岭
02:26 2. 纳米比亚科尔芒斯科普 (Kolmanskop, Namibia) – 沙漠中的钻石鬼城
05:37 3. 印度罗斯岛 (Ross Island, India) – 印度洋上的东方巴黎废墟
07:57 4. 乌克兰切尔诺贝利 (Chernobyl, Ukraine) – 核辐射禁区的动物天堂
11:27 5. 泰国沙吞独特大楼 (Sathorn Unique Tower, Thailand) – 曼谷的“鬼塔”
23:16 6. 日本军舰岛 (Gunkanjima, Japan) – 黑暗历史的世界遗产
26:57 7. 中国后头湾村 (Houtouwan, China) – 现实版的绿野仙踪
29:11 8. 格鲁吉亚阿卡玛拉 (Akarmara, Abkhazia) – 前苏联的废弃矿城
32:03 9. 挪威皮拉米登 (Pyramiden, Norway) – 北极圈的苏联鬼城
35:55 10. 挪威巴伦支堡 (Barentsburg, Norway) – 挪威的“小俄罗斯”
👉 订阅「行影步离」https://www.youtube.com/@Stepabreath，与我们一同探索世界奇观！
👍 如果你喜欢这期内容，请一定点赞、分享，并留言告诉我们哪个鬼城的故事最让你震撼！
#鬼城 #废墟探险 #黑暗旅游 #世界遗产 #行影步离
==================
⇲ 更多視頻專輯 ⇲⇲⇲
==================
2024新年旅行4K（北京+慕田峪长城+厂甸庙会前门天坛+颐和园+地坛庙会+南锣鼓巷）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcL774tWk56jP2tUg71tKaxs
==================
2023十一旅行4K（平谷+薊州古城+天津濱海+天津五大道）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLLpjPE7prK5NrvzldBCQtj
==================
2023暑假旅行4K（秦皇島+泰國曼谷+芭堤雅+清邁）→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJsw2g5VU3omAay-v7FgnRE
==================
【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版全集 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIjSEckSf1EPwxavMR8AAFS
==================
【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版分區專輯 ⇲
————————————
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKu_HFPUEyR37SYC9C3h9N3 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJJk6yroZEWZp4yPfUVuEY8 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKIBmM1AClw1iAdhkMIztsw → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJka9RXJGvsHlho6UtzwuZR → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLJSJJ85Z5GdEgfMGhV6Wkc → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKZbPbKrcUN0XIa5xrKj8ck
————————————
【行影步離】 ⇲ 國際版分類專輯 ⇲
————————————
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLrDNyPvFIRBfOD529QphBd → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIqZSlkQj8QXOVXCn8guWAL → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKxprkbCXiU_XAlLmZ9JFSC → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLlkQeH1DhtlA0NCYj8-8MC → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKQilv8jvYru-ytVFwd8z9K → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIPHNdsuDi_1yNviE7FEGOh → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLRbikNzhfvLobBSnljVhwB → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIP_Yp6zBhUH2IX-G-ZNTmf
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIBpOSTPS4e_I4my1ekMVGB → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIl4edn9wGzNCUUjY7zn4LL → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKMJ1bDn2CDbJEPNbHCtj4Q → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLyjDLGTKXp_7sucyDklFx6 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLXCYeQTF2HYqmqRQ3UeWtI → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLvk0zIreTxWnM-tdou8dXw → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKDbWYrqb6ZZn443YDWcXL_ → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLK0b6_CNR0uKM1Y2hHcJzP
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcK1ZH_3CIPnvFEy5Ayb9eUw → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKFjoPATHrMElq50WScHUaX → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJIiB_MSHvuRIy4veYE0pPT → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIkoZKxFFGiaPJIhJy_7KtZ → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKdZ_vQ8h9TnokbXSfOTm15 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLj8-tkn49fKVZpOjUlsvqv → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJJb4xw79zLwSmPgZ7Cc-aO
==================
==================
【行影步離】 ⇲ 國內版全集 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJpwrjWy06pyyFJnLgp7nqg
==================
【行影步離】 ⇲ 國內版自駕游專輯 ⇲
————————————
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKsNFt7Lmkjqcsjyid2nqCb → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcInQBxyyjmzFRFCL0a2i4Hk → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIGJrvmYQYCNBw2Sjz7x8qg → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLSP1x7lxIzekGTWWKG8d07 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIG2sOWnAFaDeB2ALSc3afA → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKBWzfu-GZkslXxzmMBx9-2 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcKgLVOV0jgaH9CBt1GtVlso → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcK_fwMfbPgXmJ-nIMqAQXI9
→ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcIfFfZXEAro6gUqlT5ua4H0 → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcLLHGPur1AaphcvvFSlaDUO → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhCF5hqehTcJguHnBG27JbW3kIgMhFewG
==================