The abandoned village of on Shengshan Island, an archipelago off the eastern coast of , was once a prosperous fishing village with over 3,000 residents in the 1980s.
However, due to its remote and hard-to-access location, its residents began to move out in the 90s. In 2002 it was officially depopulated and merged into a nearby village.
After decades of abandonment, empty houses in the cliffside village - some still furnished - have been inhabited by an entirely new type of occupant: lush green climbing plants.
Fast-forward to today, it has become something of an internet sensation and an unusual hotspot, intriguing visitors from all over the world to explore this "mesmerising", apocalyptic-looking village.
" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> in an official statement at the time.They added: "Houtouwan of Shengshan hasn't been equipped with the conditions to open to tourists... We urge visitors to preserve its tranquility for now."
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