Houtouwan village in China has been abandoned since the 1990s, allowing lush greenery to grow and almost completely swallow the houses.
Located about 40 miles southeast of Shanghai, on Shengshan Island in the Shengsi archipelago in Hangzhou Bay, China, Houtouwan was once a bustling fishing village. In the 1980s, Houtouwan was home to over 3,000 fishermen and their families. Their lives were prosperous thanks to the fishing industry. The increasing number of reinforced concrete houses earned the village the nickname “Little Taiwan.”
However, by the 1990s, due to its remote and difficult-to-access location, along with growing competition from nearby Shanghai, residents gradually moved to the mainland in search of better opportunities.
By 2002, the village was officially abandoned and merged with a neighboring village. The abandoned houses fell into disrepair, and nature began to “take over,” covering the structures in a carpet of vines and weeds.
Some houses have collapsed walls or roofs, while others are completely wrapped in lush green vines. Winding dirt paths connect the abandoned houses and an old fishing port. Looking inside some of the houses, visitors can find rotten household items and furniture.
The Village Today
Today, fewer than a dozen people still live in Houtouwan. Instead of fishing, they have shifted to guiding tourists and selling drinks, the only goods available for sale in the village.
The village gained fame on Chinese social media in 2015 when stunning photos of the nature-overgrown landscape went viral. The eerie beauty of Houtouwan, especially in foggy weather, makes it look like something out of a fairy tale.
In 2017, the authorities implemented measures to manage and develop tourism. An observation deck was built, allowing visitors to view the entire village from a distance for a fee of about 3 USD. Visitors can also explore the village on foot with an entrance ticket of about 8 USD. Warning signs have been placed outside dilapidated houses to ensure safety.
According to a report, in 2021, Houtouwan welcomed 90,000 tourists, generating a revenue of about 3.3 million yuan (around 470,000 USD) for Shengshan Island. The village’s popularity also boosted the tourism industry on the island with the appearance of many small guesthouses and hotels in nearby areas.
On the Chinese online blog platform 360doc, an account named “Dream Seeker” shared their experience visiting the village in 2021 as “a walk in a green world.”
In the summer, the lush greenery everywhere brings a sense of relaxation. Countless vines cling to the houses, with dense leaves covering the walls like a thick green blanket.
“This green blanket continues to grow every year, with a different kind of beauty each season,” the person shared.
According to CNN, the ideal time to visit Houtouwan is in the summer when the vegetation is lush and the village appears in its most vibrant state. However, due to limited ferry services, visitors need to book tickets early. Those who wish to stay overnight can book accommodation at guesthouses.
(According to CNN, National Geographic, 360doc)
