Exploring Abandoned Cities: From a Paris Replica to Deserted Mining Islands and Silent Megacities

Across the globe, there remain vast areas where human presence is scarce or nonexistent for miles. These locations range from harsh climates to untouched natural sanctuaries. However, some are former bustling settlements gradually overtaken by nature due to various circumstances, transforming them into eerie ghost cities.

Kilamba

Kilamba New City, situated near Luanda, Angola's capital, was developed by a Chinese international property investment firm. The project included 750 residential buildings designed to accommodate 500,000 people, with an investment of approximately $3.5 billion.

The development strategy relied heavily on residents purchasing homes through loans. However, the majority of Angolans lack the financial means or access to credit to afford these properties. Consequently, only about a thousand people currently inhabit Kilamba, rendering it a modern ghost city.

Kayaköy

Once home to 20,000 residents, Kayaköy in Turkey was gradually abandoned following population exchanges between Greece and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). Today, the ghost town serves as an open-air museum, preserving hundreds of Greek-style buildings, including two Orthodox churches and a 17th-century fountain.

Under the protection of the Turkish government and UNESCO, Kayaköy attracts tourists eager to explore its rich history and architecture.

Kangbashi

In the 1990s, coal deposits near Kangbashi, China, sparked ambitious plans to build a city for one million inhabitants. Construction began in 2001, resulting in a fully developed urban area with thousands of homes, parks, museums, theaters, and even an airport.

Despite the extensive infrastructure, only about 30,000 people live there today. Many properties remain unsold as local residents cannot afford the high prices, making Kangbashi one of the largest modern ghost cities worldwide.

Tianducheng

China has developed several replicas of European cities, with Tianducheng being a notable example modeled after Paris. This town features scaled-down versions of iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.

Primarily built for affluent Chinese citizens, Tianducheng is located in a rural area. While it was designed to house 10,000 residents, only about 2,000 have moved in. Wealthy buyers hesitate to relocate, and local villagers find the European-style fountains and sculptures unfamiliar.

Recently, Tianducheng gained attention as the filming location for British electronic musician Jamie XX's "Gosh" music video.

Hashima Island

Hashima, a Japanese island once thriving due to coal mining, was abandoned in the 1970s after Mitsubishi closed the mines. The island remained off-limits for years to prevent looting but was later designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 and partially opened to tourists.

At its peak, Hashima was the most densely populated place on Earth. Today, it stands as a haunting ghost island and has been featured in films such as the James Bond movie "Skyfall."

Centralia

Located in Pennsylvania, USA, Centralia became a ghost town after an underground coal mine fire ignited in 1962 and has been burning ever since. Toxic gases and ground collapses forced most residents to relocate, though a few families remain.

The town inspired the eerie setting for the "Silent Hill" video game series, cementing its place in popular culture.

Craco

Built atop cliffs in Italy, Craco has endured earthquakes and invasions throughout its history. After a severe earthquake in the late 1990s threatened the stability of the cliffs, residents were forced to evacuate.

Today, Craco is a picturesque ghost town, accessible only to daring tourists. It has served as a filming location for movies like "Quantum of Solace" and "The Passion of the Christ."

Varosha

Varosha, a district in Famagusta, Cyprus, was once a bustling tourist hotspot in the 1970s, frequented by celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot. Following a political coup and subsequent Turkish invasion in 1974, the area was evacuated and has remained deserted ever since.

Now a ghost neighborhood, Varosha's empty beaches and abandoned buildings tell a story of conflict and loss.

Kadykchan

Once a thriving coal mining town in Russia's Magadan region, Kadykchan blossomed during World War II to support local power plants. By the late 1980s, nearly 6,000 people lived there. However, following the Soviet Union's collapse, mining operations ceased, and the town was abandoned, becoming another ghost city.

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