Olivier first heard about Ordos about eight years ago, when developments first started to make international headlines.
Ordos Library —
Olivier first heard about Ordos about eight years ago, when developments first started to make international headlines.
raphael olivier
Ordos, a wealthy region in Inner Mongolia, is known as China's largest ghost town.
Ordos Sports Center Stadium —
Ordos, a wealthy region in Inner Mongolia, is known as China's largest ghost town.
raphael olivier
In the early 2000s, the local government came up with an ambitious redevelopment plan.
In the early 2000s, the local government came up with an ambitious redevelopment plan.
raphael olivier
The goal was to turn the city into a cultural, economic and political center.
The goal was to turn the city into a cultural, economic and political center.
raphael olivier
The new city was meant to accommodate a million residents.
The new city was meant to accommodate a million residents.
raphael olivier
Ordos is one of the richest areas in the country, thanks to stores of coal, gas and rare earth metals.
Ordos is one of the richest areas in the country, thanks to stores of coal, gas and rare earth metals.
raphael olivier
However, high real estate prices deterred people from actually moving there.
However, high real estate prices deterred people from actually moving there.
raphael olivier
"As a result the city is now a surreal landscape of empty streets, decaying monuments, abandoned buildings and half-finished housing projects," says French photographer Raphael Olivier.
Ordos Grand Theatre —
"As a result the city is now a surreal landscape of empty streets, decaying monuments, abandoned buildings and half-finished housing projects," says French photographer Raphael Olivier.
raphael olivier
Olivier photographed the city for his <em>Ordos - A Failed Utopia </em>photo series.
Olivier photographed the city for his Ordos - A Failed Utopia photo series.
raphael olivier
"It sounded so unreal so I told myself I would have to visit this place one day," Olivier says.
"It sounded so unreal so I told myself I would have to visit this place one day," Olivier says.
raphael olivier
Olivier moved to China in 2011, settling in Shanghai.
Mosque of Ordos —
Olivier moved to China in 2011, settling in Shanghai.
raphael olivier
"I told myself I couldn't leave without seeing this city. So I just packed my camera bag and headed there without much more thinking," he says.
"I told myself I couldn't leave without seeing this city. So I just packed my camera bag and headed there without much more thinking," he says.
raphael olivier
Olivier finally visited the area in late 2015.
Ordos Horse Racing Track —
Olivier finally visited the area in late 2015.
raphael olivier
He photographed the sites and buildings over the course of five days.
He photographed the sites and buildings over the course of five days.
raphael olivier
Ordos' most famous landmark is the Ordos Museum, designed by MAD Architects.
Ordos Museum by MAD Architects —
Ordos' most famous landmark is the Ordos Museum, designed by MAD Architects.
raphael olivier
"There is also a huge architecture exhibition called Ordos 100 which was curated by Ai Wei Wei in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron," Olivier explains.
Abandoned building in Ordos 100 Project —
"There is also a huge architecture exhibition called Ordos 100 which was curated by Ai Wei Wei in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron," Olivier explains.
raphael olivier
"The project was supposed to feature 100 conceptual architecture villas designed by various architects from 27 countries."
Abandoned building in Ordos 100 Project —
"The project was supposed to feature 100 conceptual architecture villas designed by various architects from 27 countries."
raphael olivier
Unfortunately the project was abandoned, leaving just 12 unfinished structures around the city.
Abandoned building in Ordos 100 Project —
Unfortunately the project was abandoned, leaving just 12 unfinished structures around the city.
raphael olivier
Ordos Stadium has a capacity of 35,107.
Ordos Stadium —
Ordos Stadium has a capacity of 35,107.
raphael olivier
The local government has made efforts to entice locals to move into the area.
The local government has made efforts to entice locals to move into the area.
raphael olivier