For every stunning destination, there’s an abandoned site that might just give you the creeps. Cities in China made to resemble Paris, amusement park-like housing developments, and relics from the Soviet Union are among some of the world’s most intriguing.
Modern tourists flock to abandoned cities, buildings, and settlements for their ominous atmosphere. Many places hold incredible historical significance as remnants of a bygone era.
Venture off the beaten path and embark on a bone-chilling journey through these eerie abandoned places.
Tianducheng, China
Upon seeing Tianducheng, you may think you’ve stumbled into Paris. This eerie area is a near-identical replica of the City of Love. Less than 100 miles from Shanghai, Tianducheng is fascinating to witness firsthand.
From the 300-foot-tall Eiffel Tower to the Luxembourg Gardens and Champs-Elysees, Tianducheng has impressive duplicates of top Parisian sights. Yahoo suggests visiting the attraction for an afternoon to stroll the French-inspired streets.
The World Islands, United Arab Emirates
The World Islands are a fascinating off-the-beaten-path adventure near Dubai. Located two and a half miles off the coast, the manmade islands’ creation was announced in 2003.
The goal, according to Elite Traveler, was to replicate the Earth’s map in one small archipelago. However, the project was halted in 2008, and the islands sit largely empty. Private yacht tours are available to Lebanon Island, the only one completed before operations shut down.
Poveglia Island, Italy
Near Venice lies Poveglia Island, a centuries-old settlement ravaged by disease. The island acted as a quarantine facility during a 1348 outbreak of the bubonic plague. In 1630, it reprised its role as the final destination for sick citizens when the plague returned.
Poveglia Island later served as a mental asylum and geriatric center before officially closing in 1975. The Travel Channel reports it has a reputation as a haunted destination, as thousands passed away there throughout its troubled history.
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, Chile
History buffs will find the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works of Chile fascinating. In 2005, this area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for providing unique insight into 19th-century Pampa Desert life.
Citizens of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia were employed here, forming a distinct culture. These saltpeter works significantly impacted Chile’s social and economic development and European agriculture.
Burj Al Babas, Turkey
Head to Turkey to tour a one-of-a-kind abandoned town that resembles something out of Walt Disney World. Architectural Digest says the area was planned as a luxurious getaway overlooking the Black Sea. Construction began in 2014, but Burj Al Babas was left unfinished when the developers declared bankruptcy in 2019.
Hashima Island, Japan
Hashima is a small island off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan, that was once used for mining. Travelers eager to get off the beaten path will enjoy the creepy ruins. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, mining operations were halted in 1974, leaving Hashima Island to the elements for decades.
The island was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, revitalizing tourism opportunities. Many sightseers looking to escape the crowds travel to Hashima Island for its unsettling atmosphere.
Eastern State Penitentiary, US
Next time you’re in Pennsylvania, visit the ominous Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison is in central Philadelphia, making it convenient for a sightseeing afternoon. It was established in 1829 and remained open for 142 years before closing in 1971, says Visit Philadelphia.
The expansive building offers a glimpse into how the jail operated. Infamous gangster Al Capone was once held at the Eastern State Penitentiary, which has exhibits about notable prisoners and stories of escape attempts.
Haludovo Palace Hotel, Croatia
Located on Krk Island off the Croatian coast, the Haludovo Palace Hotel is a former resort that has fallen into disrepair. When it opened in 1972, this luxury hotel was considered one of the area’s most lavish vacation spots.
According to Business Insider, the owner of “Penthouse” magazine invested $45 million to open the resort. In 1991, the hotel was forced to close after a civil war broke out and is now in shambles.
Pripyat, Ukraine
The Ukrainian city of Pripyat was abandoned in 1986 after the catastrophic explosion of a reactor at the nearby Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. CNBC reports at one time, over 50,000 people called Pripyat home.
Following the 1986 events, a mandatory evacuation order was put in place, leaving Pripyat a ghost town. Today, guided tours of the haunting site allow thrill-seeking tourists to explore the once-thriving city.
Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital, Germany
Take a day trip from Berlin to walk through the Beelitz-Heilstätten hospital complex. The over 100-year-old former hospital building has been unoccupied since 1995. Business Insider reports it was once the world’s largest lung disease treatment facility.
Beelitz-Heilstätten played a significant role in both World Wars, acting as a military hospital. Records show a young Adolf Hitler was treated there in 1916 after being wounded in the Battle of the Somme. What remains of the hospital is a chilling remnant of Germany’s dark past.
Kolmanskop, Namibia
The desert ghost town of Kolmanskop in Namibia is a must-see for adventurous explorers. It appears frozen in time, unchanged since being left to the elements in 1956.
National Geographic states that Kolmanskop was founded in the early 1900s after diamonds were discovered on its land. At one point, it accounted for nearly 12% of the world’s annual carat production.
Thousands visit the site annually to observe and photograph its homes and stores partially buried beneath dunes.
Pyramiden, Norway
Pyramiden is a desolate mining town in Svalbard, an archipelago between Norway and the North Pole. It was founded in 1910, but operations shut down in 1998. Visitors can see a former gas station, school, hotel, and more in Pyramiden.
The town’s isolated location attracts the occasional Arctic fox and polar bear. Set against the rugged glacial landscape, Pyramiden is a captivating example of abandoned tourism.
Great Train Graveyard, Bolivia
Bolivia’s Great Train Graveyard is a unique pitstop while exploring the world’s most expansive salt flats. Located in Uyuni, the train cemetery has over 100 train cars eroded by salty winds from the nearby flats.
You can freely explore the cars, climbing in and on top of them as you desire. There are no restrictions on visiting the graveyard, making it a fun photography spot.
Varosha, Cyprus
Varosha is a former resort area in the coastal city of Famagusta. Its citizens fled in 1974 when Turkish forces gained control. U.S. News & World Report states the invasion displaced thousands of families.
Ever since then, the ghost town has sat empty. The Turkish government operates guided tours of Varosha, a painful reminder of the conflict between Turkey and Greece.
Oradour-sur-Glane, France
France’s Oradour-sur-Glane ruins were the site of a horrific massacre during World War II. In 1944, the village was destroyed by Nazi forces. Hundreds of residents were killed, leaving Oradour-sur-Glane empty.
The village ruins have been a somber war monument for decades since its destruction. Seeing Oradour-sur-Glane is an emotional yet informative experience. Joining a guided tour is an excellent way to learn about the local history.
Power Plant IM, Belgium
Power Plant IM in Charleroi, Belgium, resembles the set of a science fiction movie. Initially built in 1921 to provide nuclear power to the region, the plant was closed in 2007. A 2006 report found the plant accounted for 10% of Belgium’s total CO2 emissions, resulting in protests by Greenpeace, states Atlas Obscura.
Despite being closed to the public, many urban explorers sneak in. Power Plant IM will likely be demolished, though it stands abandoned indefinitely.
Fordlȃndia, Brazil
Named for entrepreneur Henry Ford, Fordlȃndia was once a bustling community of factory workers. The Brazilian government gave Ford a large parcel of land, which he saw as the perfect setting for a new utopia.
However, the Washington Post reports the town had a dark side. Hundreds of people died during its construction due to poor sanitation. Furthermore, the rubber-making process had a significant toll on the surrounding jungles. Fordlȃndia was closed by the mid-1930s and is now a shadow of its former self.
Go off the grid for a memorable, distraction-free vacation
For many, the primary draw of visiting abandoned places is their isolation and lack of crowds. You can achieve a similar sense of solitude at off-the-grid destinations worldwide.
14 Captivating Off-the-Grid Destinations to Unplug and Unwind
Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
