There’s often an eerie silence that surrounds abandoned places, as well as a unique energy that speaks to something deep within us, playing on our curious nature. From former industrial islands to idiosyncratic monuments left forgotten to time, these places continue to intrigue and excite. Here’s seven incredible abandoned places around the world.
1. Gunkanjima in Nagasaki, Japan
Known as Battleship Island (Gunkanjima in Japanese), thanks to its distinctive shape resembling a war vessel, Hashima Island is a former deep-sea coal-mining settlement off the coast of Nagasaki established in the late 1800s. The 16-acre island was once home to over 5,000 workers and their families before being closed, and today is full of crumbling facades of weather-beaten buildings, overgrown grass, and Japanese hawks circling overhead. You may recognize some of it, as it appeared in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall as the headquarters of Raoul Silva. Despite being in a state of ruin, tours are available from Nagasaki harbor, with metal railings and walkways installed in a safe area.
2. Pripyat in Northern Ukraine
26 April 1986 is a pivotal date in global history, marking the day the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant suffered a catastrophic accident. This disaster led to the evacuation of nearly 50,000 people from the immediate area and the nearby town of Pripyat. Today, this exclusion zone resembles a ghost town, featuring eerily preserved fairground rides, hospitals, houses, and schools. However, despite elevated radiation levels, authorized tours are available. The recent hit show ‘Chernobyl’ has sparked renewed interest among tourists eager to explore the site and learn about this historical catastrophe. As part of the growing “dark tourism” trend, visitors should approach their journey with respect and mindfulness.
3. President’s Heads in Virginia, USA
In the middle of a seemingly regular field in Croaker, Virginia, stands something entirely unexpected: 43 busts of U.S. Presidents, each nearly 20 feet high. These statues were once on display at the now-closed Presidents Park in Colonial Williamsburg. Property owner Howard Hankins saved them from obscurity. The abandoned heads have gained new life, thanks to Howard and photographer John Plashal, who conducts tours and photo walks to the site throughout the year.
4. Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania, USA
Once one of the world’s most famous prisons, Eastern State Penitentiary held notorious criminal Al Capone in a luxury cell. Now, it stands in a state of ruin, with dilapidated wings and abandoned guard towers. Nevertheless, tours are available, and the penitentiary is open every day from 10am to 5pm. The site also includes insights into the current American prison system and art installations. From mid-September to Halloween, the prison transforms into a delightfully terrifying haunted house, making it a significant spot for both history and horror enthusiasts.
5. Oradour-Sur Glane in France
This small town, about 20 kilometers from Limoges, is the site of one of the most horrific war crimes committed by the Nazis in France. German troops massacred 642 people, including 193 children, on that tragic day. Remarkably, only one woman and five men survived the day’s events. The town remains untouched, with pre-war tram tracks and electricity lines preserved alongside the rusted remnants of vehicles. Today, visitors can access the site via the Centre de la Mémoire, which uses multimedia displays and survivor testimonies to provide context and honor the victims, making it an eerie yet crucial historical lesson.
6. Dorasan Station in South Korea
Dorasan Station represents a poignant symbol of hope, located a few hundred meters from the southern boundary of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Completed in 2002, this train station may leave visitors waiting for a train that might never arrive. In 2015, the Dorasan Unification Platform was added, featuring an exhibition on German reunification housed in an old train carriage, with a clock counting the hours since the division of the country. The station is typically part of a DMZ tour offered by various local companies.
7. The Fishing Village of Houtouwan in China
Located approximately 40 miles from Shanghai, Houtouwan was once a flourishing fishing village, with local communities building impressive homes atop a mountain slope overlooking a bay. However, as better wages and opportunities emerged elsewhere during the economic boom of the 1980s, the village was eventually abandoned by its 3,000 residents. Today, it stands as a popular spot for tourists, photographers, and day trippers who venture to see the lush greenery that has fully reclaimed the area.
