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Inside ghost town coming back to life as TikTokers flock to visit

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The former fishing village of Houtouwan has become a unique destination for thrill seekers
The former fishing village of Houtouwan has become a unique destination for thrill seekers

AFTER being left to the mercy of mother nature, this abandoned Chinese town has been given a new lease of life thanks to TikTok.

Perched on stunning hills in China, the once thriving fishing community of Houtouwan has been abandoned for decades.

Houtouwan looks like it comes straight out of a Tolkien book eiqrtixeieeprw
Houtouwan looks like it comes straight out of a Tolkien bookCredit: AFP or licensors
The area has been completely reclaimed by vines and vegetation
The area has been completely reclaimed by vines and vegetationCredit: AFP or licensors
Houtouwan is a few miles away from Shanghai, on a remote island
Houtouwan is a few miles away from Shanghai, on a remote islandCredit: AFP or licensors

Nicknamed the "ghost village", most locals left the scenic area in the 1990s to pursue work in large cities - leaving the area desolate.

Only a handful now live in the outpost, which lies east of Shanghai and was once home to more than 2,000 fishermen.

Now it's become a hot destination for TikTokers and influencers, who are headed to the town to take dramatic photos.

I was hypnotised and woke up singing in a language I can't speak, I'm so confusedI was hypnotised and woke up singing in a language I can't speak, I'm so confused

Incredible scenes of the city reveal entire buildings covered in lush green ivy after being abandoned.

One Twitter user marvelled: "Haven't yet seen things like this in the movies."

The "Tolkien-esque" town has wowed those online, and some thrill seekers opt to explore the abandoned homes - despite being warned not to.

One influencer who visited the village shared glam photos of her in a white dress with a red parasol amongst the abandoned buildings.

Another TikToker shared a video of her viewing the abandoned area from a crumbled balcony.

For those not so willing to risk their safety, there's a viewing platform installed by local authorities which gives you a view of the entire abandoned town.

And the new wave of tourists has also boosted the company's economy, as up to 90,000 visitors came in 2021 alone.

If you need a place to stay, bed and breakfasts have popped up around the island to provide a cosy place to retreat after seeing the magical town.

One fan wrote: "The entire world will look like this one day, nothing we ever do will stay and mother nature will rightfully take back her resources."

Another village left to rot and decay was reclaimed by nature after its thriving community left.

Chinese arrivals WON'T have to isolate even if they test positiveChinese arrivals WON'T have to isolate even if they test positive

The Welsh village of Talysarn was known to have “roofed the 19th century world” and remnants of the industrial past are still standing to this day.

And shocking footage emerged of a car graveyard left to be taken over by mother nature.

The once-loved cars are now stacked up and forgotten about with the motley collection even including Royal Mail service trains.

This abandoned hospital lies rotting as mother nature and graffiti vandals leave their indelible mark on it.

The corridors and rooms of the Thornton Fever Hospital in Fife, Scotland, were once bustling but now stand empty and crumbling.

The gorgeous village is nestled on a mountainous island
The gorgeous village is nestled on a mountainous islandCredit: AFP or licensors
Overgrown vines and trees have reclaimed the area
Overgrown vines and trees have reclaimed the areaCredit: AFP or licensors

Sarah Hooper

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