10 Ghost Towns and Abandoned Places You Have to See to Believe: From Kadykchan to Salar de Uyuni

Abandoned places have a certain allure that draws people in, an eerie atmosphere that speaks to our curiosity and fascination with the unknown. From ghost towns to abandoned castles, these forgotten places offer a glimpse into the past and a unique perspective on the present. In this article, we will take you on a tour of 10 of the most eerie and unique abandoned places from around the world. From the burning pit of eternal flames at the Door to Hell in Turkmenistan, to the abandoned village of Houtouwan in China, overgrown by vegetation, each of these locations has its own history and story to tell, providing an unforgettable and interesting experience for those who are interested in the abandoned places, their history and the impact of human activity on these sites.

The Door to Hell

Deep in the heart of Turkmenistan lies a fiery pit that has been burning continuously since 1971. Known as the "Door to Hell," this natural gas field was discovered by Soviet engineers who, in an attempt to prevent the spread of methane gas, set it alight. However, they did not anticipate that the fire would continue to burn for decades. Today, the Door to Hell is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world to witness the eerie, otherworldly flames that seem to be a portal to another dimension. The fire is caused by the combustion of natural gas that seeped from underground deposits. The site is located in the Karakum Desert, and the fire can be seen from a distance of several miles. It is also surrounded by a large crater that has been formed by the collapse of the ground due to the burning of the gas. The site is accessible by car, and visitors can walk around the edge of the crater to get a closer look at the flames.

The Abandoned City of Pripyat

The abandoned city of Pripyat, Ukraine, was once a thriving community of 50,000 residents. However, in 1986, a catastrophic nuclear accident at the nearby Chernobyl power plant forced the evacuation of the entire city. Today, Pripyat stands as a haunting reminder of the disaster, with crumbling apartment buildings, rusting playgrounds, and overgrown streets. Visitors can still witness the effects of radiation on the city, making it a unique and eerie destination. The city was built to house the workers of the nearby power plant, and was considered a model Soviet city with modern infrastructure and amenities. The disaster at the power plant released a large amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, making the city uninhabitable. The exclusion zone around the power plant, which includes Pripyat, is still highly contaminated, and visitors must follow strict safety guidelines. Some of the buildings and infrastructure in Pripyat are still relatively intact, and visitors can explore the city and see what life was like before the disaster. The city is also a popular spot for photography, as the abandoned buildings and streets create a unique visual experience.

The abandoned island of Hashima

The small island of Hashima, Japan, was once home to a bustling coal mining community. However, as the demand for coal declined, the island's population dwindled, and the community was eventually abandoned. Today, the island stands as a ghost town, with crumbling concrete buildings, rusting machinery, and a sense of eerie emptiness. The island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can take tours to explore the abandoned buildings and learn about the island's history. The island was known as "Battleship Island" due to its shape, and was heavily populated during the height of the coal mining industry. The island was also used as a location for a James Bond film, "Skyfall" which helped to increase its popularity. The island was once home to a population of over 5,000 people, but now it is uninhabited. The abandoned buildings, including a school and a hospital, can still be seen on the island, and visitors can learn about the island's history and the lives of the people who once lived there.

The Maunsell Sea Forts

Built during WWII, the Maunsell Sea Forts were designed to protect the Thames and Mersey estuaries from enemy attacks. However, after the war, the forts were abandoned and left to rust in the middle of the sea. Today, the forts are popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors who are interested in their history and eerie, abandoned atmosphere. Some of the forts were also transformed into radio and TV stations, and even a pirate radio station. The forts were built by the British government to protect the country from air and naval attacks during the war. The forts were manned by soldiers and equipped with anti-aircraft guns, but they were never used in combat. After the war, they were decommissioned and left to rust in the sea. The forts are now accessible by boat, and visitors can explore the forts and learn about their history. Some of the forts have been renovated and turned into museums, and visitors can learn about the lives of the soldiers who lived and worked there.

The Hill of Crosses

The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania, is a pilgrimage site that is covered in thousands of crosses, both big and small. The exact origins of the hill are unclear, but it is believed that the crosses were first placed there in the 19th century as a symbol of Lithuanian resistance to Russian oppression. Today, the Hill of Crosses is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors who are interested in its unique history and eerie atmosphere. The hill is believed to have originated as a place of pilgrimage during the times of Lithuanian serfdom, where crosses were placed in memory of loved ones and as a symbol of hope and resistance. The hill has been destroyed several times throughout history, but it has always been rebuilt. Today, the hill is a symbol of Lithuanian identity and cultural heritage. Visitors can walk among the crosses and leave their own, as it is considered a sacred place. The site is also a popular spot for photography, as the thousands of crosses create a unique and visually striking scene.

The Abandoned City of Kadykchan

The abandoned city of Kadykchan, Russia, was once a thriving community of coal miners and their families. However, as the demand for coal declined, the city's population dwindled, and the community was eventually abandoned. Today, the city stands as a ghost town, with crumbling concrete buildings, rusting machinery, and a sense of eerie emptiness. Visitors can still witness the effects of the coal mining on the environment, making it a unique and eerie destination. The city was built to house the workers of a coal mine, and at its peak, it had a population of over 10,000. The mine was closed in the early 2000s, and the residents were forced to leave their homes. Today, the city is in ruins, and only a few residents still live there. Visitors can walk around the abandoned streets and buildings and see what life was like for the people who lived there.

The Salar de Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, is the world's largest salt flat, known for its vast expanse of bright white salt and otherworldly landscapes. The salt flat is a unique and eerie destination, drawing visitors who are interested in its unique geology and the various forms of life that thrive in this harsh environment. Visitors can take tours of the salt flats, and even stay in a hotel made entirely out of salt blocks. The Salar de Uyuni is also a popular spot for photographers, as the vast white expanse creates a unique and surreal visual experience. The salt flat is also an important source of salt and lithium, and visitors can learn about the mining industry that takes place on the flats. The salar is also home to various forms of life, including flamingos and other bird species, and visitors can take guided tours to see them.

The Château Miranda

The Château Miranda, located in Belgium, is an abandoned castle with a history of being used as an orphanage, a holiday camp and a military base. The castle was abandoned in the 1980s and has since been left to decay. However, the castle's eerie and abandoned atmosphere has made it a popular destination for urban explorers and photographers. Visitors can take tours of the castle, and learn about its dark past, and the stories that surround it. The castle was built in the 19th century, and it has had a variety of uses throughout its history. The castle was used as an orphanage during World War II and then as a holiday camp for children. The castle was also used as a military base by the Belgian army and was abandoned in the 1980s. The castle is now in ruins, and visitors can explore the castle and learn about its history and the stories that surround it.

The Abandoned City of Craco

The abandoned city of Craco, Italy, is a medieval ghost town that was abandoned due to geological instability. The city was built on a hilltop, but landslides and unstable ground forced the residents to abandon it in the 1960s. Today, the city stands as a haunting reminder of the past, with crumbling stone buildings, winding cobblestone streets, and a sense of eerie emptiness. Visitors can take tours of the city, and learn about its history and the reason for its abandonment. The city of Craco was founded in the 8th century AD, and it was a prosperous medieval town. The city was built on a hilltop, and it was surrounded by high walls for protection. The city had a population of over 2,000 people, but the city was gradually abandoned due to landslides and unstable ground. Visitors can walk around the abandoned streets of the city and see what life was like for the people who lived there.

The abandoned village of Houtouwan

The abandoned village of Houtouwan, China, was once a thriving fishing village. However, in the 1990s, the villagers left the village due to changes in the fishing industry and the lack of young people to maintain the village. Today, the village is overgrown by vegetation and stands as a haunting reminder of the past. Visitors can take tours of the village, and witness the effects of nature reclaiming the village, making it a unique and eerie destination. The village of Houtouwan was once a thriving fishing village, located on the coast of China. It was home to a population of over 2,000 people, who were primarily fishermen and their families. However, due to changes in the fishing industry, the village's population declined, and many of the villagers were forced to leave. The village was officially abandoned in the 1990s, and since then, nature has taken over, with vegetation growing over the abandoned buildings and streets. Visitors can take tours of the village, and witness the effects of nature reclaiming the village, and see the abandoned buildings and streets, that are now overgrown with vegetation. The village is also a popular spot for photography, as the abandoned buildings and streets, overgrown with vegetation, create a unique and visually striking scene. It is also a popular spot for urban exploration as it brings an eerie feeling of abandoned village and the effect of nature taking over the human made structures.

Google maps location and Video presentations

Click on map markers to launch short video presentations about each of these wonderful places.