Largest Abandoned Cities In the World

There are nearly 4,000 ghost towns in the United States alone, with many more scattered across the globe. Wherever you are, chances are you can find a rent-free existence in one of these dilapidated towns, far from noisy neighbors. While most are small, some abandoned places are quite large. Join me as we explore 15 abandoned cities around the world.

Number 15: Ordos City, China

China has seen tremendous economic growth, but not every city kept pace. Ordos City, built in the early 2000s to house over a million residents, now sits nearly deserted. This urban sprawl covers 137 square miles, dotted with unfinished condos and high-rises, a testament to a failed billion-dollar project.

Number 14: Hashima Island, Japan

Once the most densely populated place on Earth, Hashima Island, or "Battleship Island," thrived on coal mining until resources ran dry. Now, it's a haunting reminder of its industrial past, visited by tourists curious about its history as a forced labor camp.

Number 13: Bodie, California

Bodie boomed during the California Gold Rush but faced harsh winters, disease, and crime. By 1882, the town was nearly abandoned, with only tumbleweeds left by 1940.

Number 12: Pyramiden, Norway

Pyramiden was a Soviet coal mining town on an Arctic island, abandoned in 1998 when the coal ran out. Its circular layout and Lenin statue now attract explorers seeking a glimpse of its frozen, ghostly landscape.

Number 11: Akarmara, Georgia

Once home to 40,000 people, Akarmara was a thriving mining town until the collapse of the Soviet Union and the siege of Tkvarcheli in 1992. Now, its decaying infrastructure and sparse population reflect its tumultuous past.

Number 10: Houtouwan Village, China

Houtouwan, once a bustling fishing village near Shanghai, was abandoned in the 1990s as residents sought better opportunities on the mainland. Today, lush greenery has reclaimed the village, turning it into a unique tourist destination.

Number 9: Kolmanskop, Namibia

In the Namib Desert, Kolmanskop sprang up around a diamond rush in 1908, thriving until the 1930s when the diamonds ran out. Now engulfed by sand, its dilapidated buildings stand as a testament to its brief but prosperous history.

Number 8: Bombay Beach, California

Once a vibrant resort town on the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach fell into decline due to agricultural runoff and environmental degradation. Today, its shores are littered with fish bones, a stark contrast to its former glory.

Number 7: Tianducheng, China

Tianducheng, or "Sky City," was China's attempt to recreate Paris with a replica Eiffel Tower and Parisian architecture. Built for 10,000 residents, it remains largely deserted due to its isolated location and poor planning.

Number 6: Craco, Italy

Craco, a medieval town in southern Italy, was abandoned due to geological instability and natural disasters. Today, its empty streets and ancient buildings attract filmmakers seeking an authentic backdrop.

Number 5: Sanzhi Pod City, Taiwan

Built in 1978 as a futuristic resort, Sanzhi Pod City in Taiwan was abandoned within two years. Strange accidents and urban legends surround its demise, adding to its eerie reputation.

Number 4: Burj Al Babas, Turkey

Burj Al Babas was envisioned as a luxury housing development with hundreds of Disney-esque castles. However, financial troubles led to its abandonment, leaving rows of empty castles as a surreal sight in the Turkish countryside.

Number 3: Centralia, Pennsylvania

Centralia's coal mine fire, which started in 1962, has been burning for over 60 years, forcing the town's evacuation due to toxic gases and sinkholes. Today, its empty streets and graffiti-covered highway attract curious visitors.

Number 2: Kelso, California

Kelso thrived as a railroad town until diesel engines replaced steam locomotives, rendering it obsolete. Today, its abandoned buildings offer a glimpse into early 20th-century life in the American West.

Number 1: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Ashgabat was built to showcase Soviet prosperity but now stands largely empty, earning it the nickname "City of the Dead." Its opulent marble buildings contrast sharply with the poverty just beyond its borders.

These abandoned cities tell stories of economic booms and busts, environmental disasters, and failed utopian dreams, offering haunting reminders of human ambition and its consequences.