Lost Chinese Village Consumed By Nature
The deserted village of Houtouwan on Shengshan Island, part of the Shengsi Archipelago off the eastern coast of China, has recently become popular on social media and a strange tourist attraction, just like something straight out of a fairytale.
In the past, it was a thriving fishing village, with more than 3,000 inhabitants during the 1980s. But the figure started to decrease when people decided to move out due to the village’s nature of remote and hard-to-access location.
Ultimately, it was depopulated and integrated into an adjacent village in 2002. After tens of years of abandonment, vacant houses in the ocean-facing, cliff-side village, some of which still furnished, have been swallowed by a blanket of lush climbing plants.
Shengsi Archipelago’s authorities were concerned about the impact of the sudden increase of tourists, instead of being positive about the new-found popularity. "Our telephone lines are jammed and we are getting more tourists to Houtouwan,", shared an official of Shengshan Island.
"Houtouwan of Shengshan hasn't been equipped with the conditions to open to tourists... We urge visitors to preserve its tranquility for now." However, until now, the village has somewhat become prepared for tourists.
The hiking fee around the village is $8. Local officials also put up signs outside vacant buildings to warn tourist about the potential threat of deteriorating constructions.
Meanwhile, new bed-and-breakfast accommodations have sprung up like mushrooms around the island, generating over $100,000 in 2017.
Shengshand, the eastern most island, together with neighboring Gouqi Island, is popular for its seafood, boasting one of the largest fish farms in China.
Usually, only one ferry ride departs daily from Shanghai's Shenjiawan Pier (at 9:15 a.m.) and Zhoushan Shenjiamen Banshengdong Dock (at 7 a.m.). The ride takes around three hours and will drop you off at Gouqi Island, where you can get a local taxi to Houtouwan.
Overnight visitors can reserve their return tickets and taxi ride in advance through their hotels or bed-and-breakfasts.
In the past, it was a thriving fishing village, with more than 3,000 inhabitants during the 1980s. But the figure started to decrease when people decided to move out due to the village’s nature of remote and hard-to-access location.
Ultimately, it was depopulated and integrated into an adjacent village in 2002. After tens of years of abandonment, vacant houses in the ocean-facing, cliff-side village, some of which still furnished, have been swallowed by a blanket of lush climbing plants.
A ghost village-turned-tourist hotspot
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Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Shengsi Archipelago’s authorities were concerned about the impact of the sudden increase of tourists, instead of being positive about the new-found popularity. "Our telephone lines are jammed and we are getting more tourists to Houtouwan,", shared an official of Shengshan Island.
"Houtouwan of Shengshan hasn't been equipped with the conditions to open to tourists... We urge visitors to preserve its tranquility for now." However, until now, the village has somewhat become prepared for tourists.
Hiking Houtouwan
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The hiking fee around the village is $8. Local officials also put up signs outside vacant buildings to warn tourist about the potential threat of deteriorating constructions.
Meanwhile, new bed-and-breakfast accommodations have sprung up like mushrooms around the island, generating over $100,000 in 2017.
A popular weekend trip from Shanghai
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Shengshand, the eastern most island, together with neighboring Gouqi Island, is popular for its seafood, boasting one of the largest fish farms in China.
How to get there
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Usually, only one ferry ride departs daily from Shanghai's Shenjiawan Pier (at 9:15 a.m.) and Zhoushan Shenjiamen Banshengdong Dock (at 7 a.m.). The ride takes around three hours and will drop you off at Gouqi Island, where you can get a local taxi to Houtouwan.
Overnight visitors can reserve their return tickets and taxi ride in advance through their hotels or bed-and-breakfasts.
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Source: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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