This universe is full of mysterious phenomena, and the globe is creating idol instances with each passing second. But, what if we tell you there’s a land of 1.42 billion population yet empty? If you expect to explore the world’s hidden gem here, it’s a 404 page. It is a story of a famed nation about to unravel, a country crying for inhabitants in their well-flourished cities.
We are talking about – CHINA, a to-be superpower in line, struggling to maintain its infrastructure status.
The abandoned metropolis resembles scenes from the movie “I Am Legend,” where humanity’s remnants have given way to unsettling tranquillity. This overwhelming sense of sorrow blankets the Dragon land, where the air hangs heavy with an uneasy hush.
Welcome to the Ghost Cities in China!!
Source: Andrea Piacquadio/pexels
In 2010, the Shanghai-based real estate developer- Greenland Group gave birth to the grand vision for the rich to buy and invest. But after just two years, the fantasy transformed into a dreadful nightmare. These abandoned estates, arranged in depression rows, now look like a hopeless architectural cornfield.
“These vacant homes would have sold for millions, but the rich haven’t even bought one of them,” said a farmer named Guo to AFP (Agence France-Presse).
Referring to China’s real estate transformation, the past and present coexisted in this abandoned city, weaving a web of eerie beauty and sad death. However, such properties are a regular scenery for the Chinese as there are 687 ghosted cities left unoccupied.
Let us unravel the complete story that is becoming a bizarre reality for this nation.
BTS of Building “Ghost Cities in China”
Source – thesun
Formerly exclusive to the wealthy, now, fields are filled with hope, where old mansion garages hold hay, and basic fences surround cows on what were once lavish properties. Diverse experts voice varying opinions on this unusual scene. Some of them attribute it to official corruption amid the government’s uncontrolled real estate development campaign, leaving many ghost cities that were once symbols of splendour.
The real question is- how did it lead to this?
It started when the developers had been desperately building a maze of properties with a short-sighted vision that led to concrete skeletons stretching frighteningly upward. Quite ambition-driven but without a sight!! It inflated the property hype in China’s real estate market for many years. A dramatic contrast to the once-vibrant dreams of riches, is now, the never-ending music of buildings that vibrate through the deserted streets.
But when demand declines in this bizarre environment, the unsettling reality starts to set in. The cost of housing dashes many people’s hopes, and the ageing population and declining growth leave a chilly gap in these deserted neighbourhoods. The ghost cities in China are a severe reminder of the economic spectres that may stalk even the most powerful economies and a shady tribute to the inflexible progress.
What’s Inside A Ghost City in China?
Source – thesun
Exploring deserted houses in sheer darkness is another level of thrill, isn’t it? If you have played ‘DOOM’, you know what jump-scare thrill is all about. Luckily, all you might encounter is a herd. I hope so!
Source – media.architecturaldigest
Honestly, what do China’s Ghost Cities’ interiors look like? The properties are caked in dust and trash, concealing the crystal chandeliers and marble floors. It seems the residents disappeared, leaving only echoes of their fancies.
In simpler words, you find an abandoned sales centre with a frozen image of a 260-villa neighbourhood stuck in time. These dingy areas are hauntingly lovely and beg exploration, a testament to unsatisfiable hopes. Investigating and reflecting on the barren attraction of these mysterious urban ghost towns is another kind of experience.
Booming or Haunting Real Estate?
Source – urbannext
China, known for its competitive nature, races to be number one in the world; however, they have visions that last them only for a wink. Even though the country has developed some of the most famous structures in the world, its real estate industry lacks conviction and success. It heads towards a vision that does not sit well with its citizens and economy. Thus, it lands up with abandoned cities and projects. Take it slow, China!!
Now, imagine a setting where the echoing calm of streets contrasts sharply with the constant buzz of construction equipment. This distinctive ambience can be discovered in Tianducheng, Thames Town, Binhai, and many more mysterious “ghost cities” scattered around China.
These vast, eerie landscapes span countless square kilometres, featuring pristine roads, towering skyscrapers, and vacant public areas, frozen in time, awaiting the inhabitants who never arrived.
How Did China’s Development Go Uncontrolled?
Source: Andrea Piacquadio/pexels
20% of China’s urban housing stock—an astonishing 65 million residential units—is empty. This surplus can be interpreted as an astonishing quantity sufficient to house an entire nation. The expanse of abandoned structures, a gloomy mirror of China’s ambitious real estate development, is a grim reminder of the unchecked growth.
Here’s a staggering fact for perspective:
China alone used more concrete between 2010 and 2013 than the United States throughout the 20th century! The mere reason was the increasing gap between demand and supply that China failed to realise.
Many millennials, owning multiple properties, were reluctant to invest further, while the middle class couldn’t afford the high purchase prices. China’s fast urbanisation has produced towns that coexist in two dimensions: one made of steel and concrete and the other of supernatural effects.
Gone Without a Trace: The Eerie Tale of 687 Deserted Cities in China?
Source – urbannext
The country’s real estate sector previously thrived, enticing investors with promises of financial prosperity. This trend was promoted by the Chinese government, which viewed it as a pathway to economic expansion.
Gradually, the leasing of land owned by the state failed, leaving behind a low rate of GDP and a disastrous difference in the demand-supply chain. Adding to this, the $300 billion ‘Evergrande debt issue’ is a storm building in the distance that threatens dreams based on physical structures. Evergrande, the leading realty company, used to lend and build but could not return the debt on time. This story has captured the interest of media outlets worldwide, expecting China’s real estate industry to fall drastically.
Source – interestingengineering
China’s Constitution exposes a terrifying twist: Developers are obliged to acquire leases through public auctions, introducing an element of uncertainty into their plans.
Why??
Because the gradual supply-demand mismatch has widened as sales have stalled. According to experts, if Evergrande fails, the consequences could be disastrous for the fundamental foundations of China’s real estate industry, leaving a cityscape plagued by abandoned societies.
Dragon-Styled Barren Foreign Lands in China
China wanted to bring the world to its citizens and offer them a chance to experience different cultures through its architecture. Sadly, these marvels did not grab the attention of the citizens and were left abandoned sooner than planned.
But virtually through this medium, these destinations of eerie wonders should need to be seen. Let us walk through – one by one and cherish the beauty planned in the past to bring closeness and joy.
Tianducheng – A Deserted Paris of the East
Source – wikimedia
Tianducheng, China’s frighteningly realistic recreation of Paris, are darkly quiet streets. A 300-foot-tall mock Eiffel Tower casts lengthy shadows that appear to be reaching out to the ghosts of those who once wandered these streets. It was intended to be a romantic retreat for couples but was caught in a ghostly arena instead.
The City of Love in Tianducheng was initially planned to house 10,000 people. But by 2013, the city had lost its surge, with only 2,000 residents remaining. Promises spoken under the shadow of the fake Eiffel Tower echoed in the air.
Tonghui Town- China’s Forgotten Swiss Dream
Source – farm5.staticflickr
Tonghui Town, tucked away in the Chaoyang neighbourhood of Beijing, stands as a poignant symbol of an unrealised dream. The developers intended to bring the European-style pub street vibe to China, evoking the charm of Switzerland and Italy. However, the unfortunate reality is that it has now become one of China’s bankrupt theme parks’ among numerous abandoned infra presence.
European eateries, watchtowers, and pubs in Tonghui Town stand as motionless guards, securing the thoughts that never came to reality. These multiple buildings’ exteriors conceal the emptiness inside.
Thames Town – An Abandoned London in Shanghai
Source – cntraveler
The mirage of London in China takes on a ghostly colour as darkness descends in Thames Town. The plan was to invite the London vibe into the dragonland with red phone booths and statues of James Bonds and Harry Potter, but that was lost in transition. The joy of these vacant streets designed to complement is absent.
The exact reconstruction of Victorian terraces, Tudor-style pubs, and Edwardian townhouses only adds to Thames Town’s dark fascination. This 2006 construction of a fake London is a satire of the real thing.
Yujiapu: China’s Failed Attempt at Building a Manhattan
Source – wikipedia
Another thriving financial sector is hidden and obscured in the shadows of the tall towers in Yujiapu and Xiangluowan. These Binhai neighbourhoods were intended to be the centre of North China’s economic revival, but their low occupancy rates have made them a land of untapped construction.
The sparkling office buildings, spotless malls, a pet shop and appealing skyscrapers symbolise untouched potential. Recently, there have been discussions about revitalising this dormant property as the upcoming branch of the Germany-based Juilliard School. The delay is also attributed to the significant operational expenses required to combat the severe dry weather, which has left 150 Steinway pianos in need of care. The half-constructed city is probably not yet ready to invite visitors there.
Reflections on Ruin
Undoubtedly, China has contributed remarkable achievements that have left the world in awe. However, this time around, they are facing significant challenges. The possibility of losing the game looms large if they do not swiftly find a solution. We hope China will unveil incredible housing deals that could captivate the internet and attract major global investors. That day won’t be far when the Train to Busan becomes a reality. Just kidding!
