<strong>China's most beautiful abandoned village: </strong>Houtouwan, once the most prosperous fishing village on Shengshan Island, has been reclaimed by nature after being deserted for two decades.
China's most beautiful abandoned village: Houtouwan, once the most prosperous fishing village on Shengshan Island, has been reclaimed by nature after being deserted for two decades.
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<strong>Forgotten village-turned-tourist attraction:</strong> Looking straight out of a fairytale, the village has become a tourist hotspot in China in recent years.
Forgotten village-turned-tourist attraction: Looking straight out of a fairytale, the village has become a tourist hotspot in China in recent years.
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<strong>Once a thriving village: </strong>Established in the 1950s, the village was once home to more than 3,000 residents.
Once a thriving village: Established in the 1950s, the village was once home to more than 3,000 residents.
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<strong>Deserted in 2002: </strong>Due to its remote and hard-to-access location, its residents started to move out in the 1990s. It was completely depopulated by 2002.
Deserted in 2002: Due to its remote and hard-to-access location, its residents started to move out in the 1990s. It was completely depopulated by 2002.
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<strong>Viral pictures: </strong>A series of photos picturing the forgotten village went viral in 2015, attracting a wave of tourists to Shengshan Island.
Viral pictures: A series of photos picturing the forgotten village went viral in 2015, attracting a wave of tourists to Shengshan Island.
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<strong>Back in 2015: </strong>"Houtouwan of Shengshan hasn't been equipped with the conditions to open to tourists... We urge visitors to preserve its tranquility for now," Chen Bo, a Shengshan Island official, said at the time.
Back in 2015: "Houtouwan of Shengshan hasn't been equipped with the conditions to open to tourists... We urge visitors to preserve its tranquility for now," Chen Bo, a Shengshan Island official, said at the time.
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<strong>Off-the-grid: </strong>After more than two years of planning, Houtouwan -- despite still being comparatively off-the-grid -- implemented a few new moves to control and monetize the boom.
Off-the-grid: After more than two years of planning, Houtouwan -- despite still being comparatively off-the-grid -- implemented a few new moves to control and monetize the boom.
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<strong>Viewing platform: </strong>A new viewing platform opened in 2017, offering an overview of the village from afar (for a ticket price of $3).
Viewing platform: A new viewing platform opened in 2017, offering an overview of the village from afar (for a ticket price of $3).
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<strong>Inside the village: </strong>Visitors can hike around the hilly village for a fee of $8.
Inside the village: Visitors can hike around the hilly village for a fee of $8.
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<strong>Contributing to the island's tourism industry: </strong>According to local news reports, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.cn%2Flocal%2F2022-07%2F22%2Fc_1128856022.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">the village welcomed 90,000 visitors in 2021</a>, raking in RMB3.3 million ($470,000) for the island.
Contributing to the island's tourism industry: According to local news reports, the village welcomed 90,000 visitors in 2021, raking in RMB3.3 million ($470,000) for the island.
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<strong>When to visit: </strong>The best time to see the village is summer -- when the vegetation is at its lushest.
When to visit: The best time to see the village is summer -- when the vegetation is at its lushest.
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<strong>A national scenic area: </strong>Shengshan Island is in the Shengsi Archipelago, around 40 miles from Shanghai. Shengsi is the only Chinese archipelago officially declared a National Scenic Area.
A national scenic area: Shengshan Island is in the Shengsi Archipelago, around 40 miles from Shanghai. Shengsi is the only Chinese archipelago officially declared a National Scenic Area.
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<strong>Warning: </strong>Visitors are advised to stay out of the empty houses in the village as entering the unmaintained structures can be dangerous.
Warning: Visitors are advised to stay out of the empty houses in the village as entering the unmaintained structures can be dangerous.
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