An abandoned Chinese village surrenders to nature
On Gouqi Island in the Zhoushan archipelago, a small abandoned fishing village has been gradually buried beneath nature's embrace.
On Gouqi Island in the Zhoushan archipelago, a small abandoned fishing village has been gradually buried beneath nature's embrace. Deserted for years now, vegetation is slowly reclaiming what was once human space.
Gouqi Island is counted among the 400 islands that form the Zhoushan archipelago near Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province. This archipelago, known as China's largest, was once a thriving fishing hub where the sea sustained the local economy. Today, with the growth of secondary and tertiary industries, Zhoushan's economic foundation has diversified considerably.
The islands are experiencing remarkable tourism growth, and shipbuilding industries have also taken root, forcing fishermen to abandon their traditional livelihoods and migrate to more economically vibrant areas. This exodus has left certain villages entirely depopulated—places that no longer hold economic value.
Chinese photographers Tang Yuhong and Zhen Xuan have nonetheless managed to draw attention to the abandoned village on Gouqi Island. Through stunning imagery, they reveal the beauty of this place now left to its own devices, as nature reasserts itself with each passing season. Swallowed by ivy, the houses and narrow alleyways evoke the atmosphere of a film set.
These abandoned villages remain remarkably well-preserved and have become the subject of offbeat tourism experiences in China. Nature has reclaimed the small fishing village on Gouqi Island, a victim of rural exodus, creating a landscape and atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly.
Judge for yourself with these stunning photographs of the village.
Source: https://mrmondialisation.org - http://www.amusingplanet.com
Photo credit: http://zhenxuan.wap.blog.163.com
Frequently asked questions
The abandoned village is located on Gouqi Island, one of the 400 islands that compose the Zhoushan archipelago in Zhejiang province, China, near Hangzhou and Shanghai.
The fishing village on Gouqi Island was gradually abandoned due to rural exodus: the economic development of secondary and tertiary sectors, along with the growth of shipbuilding industries, prompted residents to migrate to more dynamic and economically attractive areas.
Yes, the abandoned village on Gouqi Island is open to visitors and offers offbeat tourism experiences. The houses and alleyways overtaken by ivy provide a spectacular and almost surreal setting, ideal for photography enthusiasts and those seeking unconventional travel experiences.
Gouqi Island is accessible from Shanghai by ferry via the Shengsi port or other embarkation points in the Zhoushan archipelago. It is advisable to check local boat schedules and plan to spend at least one night on the island to fully appreciate the site.
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are generally the most pleasant times to visit Gouqi Island, with mild temperatures and lush vegetation that beautifully showcases the ruins reclaimed by nature.
