With a story to be told around every corner, what makes our world really shine are the unique attractions of the man-made and natural landscapes. Ever heard of the scenic, seaside city wall in southern China? Or the story of Silver Islet in northwestern Ontario? From once-deserted places in Canada, abandoned temples and churches, to tourist-friendly abandoned cities in the US, this list of abandoned places around the world has bucket list spots for you to visit and experience the beautiful, the derelict, and everything in between.
Random (and wonderfully weird) places in the world to see
- The walled city of Chongwu, China
- Silver Islet, Ontario, Canada
- The cliffside town of Ronda, Spain
- Abandoned railroad near Paris, France
- Ghost town of Val-Jalbert, Quebec, Canada
- Arikok National Park, Aruba
- Abandoned city of Tombstone, Arizona
- Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia
- Old Mavrovo Church, North Macedonia
- Abundant Life Building, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Botallack Mine, Cornwall, UK
- Ghost town of Shaniko, Oregon
1. The walled city of Chongwu in Fujian province, China
While the Great Wall north of Beijing is one of the most famous places in China, did you know that you can find other (great) walls throughout the country? Located near the city of Quanzhou in southeastern China’s Fujian province, the region was an important post on the Maritime Silk Road trade route which connected different parts of Asia, Arabia, and parts of Europe for hundreds of years through trade.
The seaside fortress of Chongwu was originally built to protect the area from Japanese pirates during the Ming Dynasty. Chongwu’s wall has been restored in recent years and is a popular weekend getaway for locals. Be sure to take a walk along the nearby beach and enjoy the picturesque views of the Taiwan Straight.
2. Silver Islet, Ontario
Abandoned mining towns are a part of Canada’s history, and northwestern Ontario’s Silver Islet certainly has its story to tell. Once a booming silver mining town, then ghost town, Silver Islet is now enjoying a revival as a historical and cultural hub filled with indoor and outdoor attractions.
Back in 1868, a huge amount of pure silver was found on this tiny island in Lake Superior and over a few years, the islet was developed to ten times its original size. A mining town was also built on the nearby shores, and Silver Islet became the centre of the silver boom for almost two decades before the mine was eventually shut down. With parts of the town restored, including the original General Store, visitors can learn more about the island’s history at the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. If you’re looking for interesting places to visit in Ontario, consider adding Silver Islet to your bucket list.
3. The cliffside town of Ronda, Spain
Not many abandoned places in the world can claim such a precarious perch as the town of Ronda, which traces its roots back to the 6th century BCE. Located in the region of Andalusia in the south of Spain, Ronda is well known not just for its rich history, but also for its staggering (and stunning) cliffside location over a large gorge. The gorge itself is more than 300 feet deep and cuts through town, leaving local homes, restaurants, hotels, and other buildings along the edges. You can venture across Puente Nuevo bridge to bravely peer below to the river, and then also visit nearby Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullfighting rings. The city of Ronda is actually known as the birthplace of bullfighting.
4. Abandoned railroad in Paris, France
Some Googling on unique things to do in Paris will eventually lead you to this abandoned railroad site. Also called “La Petite Ceinture” (the Little Belt) this beautiful, abandoned place makes for a perfect outdoor adventure while visiting the City of Lights. The original train was built in the 1850s to transport goods to the middle of the city and eventually started transporting passengers daily as a steam train and La Petite Ceinture circled the city of Paris until service stopped in 1934.
Numerous parts of the railway have been developed into tourist-friendly, walkable spaces over the years, and visitors can safely explore the deserted tracks while admiring different green spaces and murals along the way.
5. Ghost town of Val-Jalbert, Quebec
This region of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean in Quebec is known for its pulp and paper industry, and Val-Jalbert was once a prominent village with a pulp mill until the town was entirely abandoned in 1927 when the mill closed down. Over 70 of Val-Jalbert’s original buildings still stand today, so you can wander the town and imagine what life was like in early 20th-century Quebec. The area is opened to visitors, and tours are available to learn about the story behind this former ghost town. A trip to Val-Jalbert makes for a perfect stop on your Quebec road trip.
6. Arikok National Park in Aruba
With the shores of Aruba typically being packed with tourists, the inland areas often feel deserted. Not to mention, much of the landscape is barren, like a desert. It can feel like a completely different atmosphere from the resorts. But it’s well worth a visit, especially Arikok National Park. Inside are the Quadirikiri, Fontein, and Huliba caves, bathed in beams of light scorching through small holes connected to the Earth’s surface.
What makes this attraction a little creepy, though, is the large colonies of bats that call these caves home. They often flit to and fro inside the caves while you stroll around. There’s less activity during the day, but the really brave will go at night when the flying bats are most active!
7. Ghost tours and shootouts in Tombstone, Arizona
This is a bit of a one-two punch when it comes to abandoned US cities to visit. In the heart of the American Southwest, the town of Tombstone, Arizona, is said to be one of the original Western towns in the country. Well preserved over time, the town hasn’t fallen into the realm of abandoned places like many other ghost towns. Attractions here are a little kitschy (and who doesn’t love a little kitsch?), but the deep history of America’s Wild West still rings true through Tombstone’s dusty streets.
Interested visitors can go underground to learn about the life of the local miners in the 1800s. Or, walk through town to hear about the past opium dens, duelling disasters, and situations where cowboys met their ultimate demise. Tombstone is a haven for those who revel in the macabre and mystery of the American Southwest.
8. Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia
The magic and mystery just never ends in Cambodia. Probably one of the most photographed spots in Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm Temple got its jaw-dropping scene from being abandoned for hundreds of years. This temple complex was built in the 12th century and over time, the local silk cotton and strangler fig trees merged with the temple stones, creating the distinctive fusion you see today of the man-made and natural landscape.
Anyone who’s visited Angkor Wat can agree that these architectural wonders are far from abandoned nowadays, but that doesn’t make the story of the Angkor Empire any less fascinating.
9. Old Mavrovo Church, North Macedonia
Adventure, stunning beauty, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await you in the Balkans. In the Republic of Macedonia, you can find an abandoned church that’s been submerged in the lake for a few decades now. Named St Nicholas Church, this is one of the few buildings that drowned in Mavrovo Lake after the town built its hydro system. Miraculously, the structure’s tower remains intact, and this sunken church can be accessed during the drier months of the year.
Locals love spending their summer exploring the town of Mavrovo, including the lake and nearby hiking trails. While getting up-close-and-personal to this abandoned site isn’t guaranteed, a trip to the town won’t disappoint as the surrounding landscape is quite impressive.
10. Abundant Life Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma
It isn’t hard to discover some abandoned buildings in many prominent US cities, especially in the outskirts. But this one in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a little extra odd, as it has no exterior windows among the façade’s notable diamond pattern. Built in the late 1950s, there were grand plans for a chic and modern office space to take downtown Tulsa by storm. Instead, the building was abandoned by the 1980s and cannot be restored due to asbestos. The building’s interior has become quite derelict after decades of neglect.
The abandoned building’s current owners threaten to remove it soon, so head on a road trip to the American Midwest to catch a glimpse of this odd architectural wonder before it’s too late!
11. Botallack Mine, Cornwall, UK
A stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Botallack is an abandoned submarine mine that rests along the rocky coastline of Cornwall in the UK. After years of study, experts still can’t pinpoint when mining activity began here –which possibly dates back all the way to the Bronze Age. Large amounts tin, copper, and arsenic was extracted here over the years and shipped throughout the world. Some of the mine’s tunnels even stretch almost a kilometre into the Atlantic Ocean.
This architectural site is one of the top things to do in Cornwall for outdoor enthusiasts, and hikers can explore some of the engine houses further along the shore. Why not add this unique attraction to your UK road trip itinerary?
12. Shaniko, Oregon
Said to be one of the best-preserved ghost towns and abandoned cities in the state of Oregon, Shaniko was once called the “Wool Capital of the World” when it was built in the late 1800s. Today, explorers and history geeks can enjoy taking pictures of the preserved buildings from the town’s heyday, including the church, the original town post office, and City Hall. While you’re adventuring in Oregon, plan a trip to an underrated tourist destination on the west coast.
Add a quirky destination or two to your travel repertoire with this list of the world’s coolest abandoned places and curious locales. While many may not even feel real, you’ll have to see for yourself by planning a trip to check them out!
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