Lost in time and reclaimed by nature. That is Houtouwan. It is an abandoned fishing village. It sits on Shengshan Island. This island is part of the Shengsi Islands. They are near Shanghai.
Houtouwan was once a lively village. It started in the 1950s. More than 2000 fishermen called it home. But by the 1990s, things changed. People started leaving Houtouwan. There were not enough jobs. Education was lacking. It was hard to get to the mainland.
By 2002, Houtouwan was empty. Nature began to take over. Vines crept up walls. Greenery filled the houses. It became a ghost village.
Today, Houtouwan is a tourist spot. People come to see nature’s power. They walk among the ruins. They see how plants have transformed the village. It is a photographer’s dream. The green landscape against the old buildings is stunning.
Walking through Houtouwan feels surreal. The only sounds are birds and the wind. The air smells fresh with plants. It is easy to imagine the past. What was life like for those fishermen? Why did they leave?
Some say fishing declined. Others say it was too hard to live here. The path to the village was steep. The bay was small. People moved to other islands. They sought better lives in Shanghai.
The journey to Houtouwan is long. It takes about six hours from Shanghai. You need a bus and a ferry. But the sight of the village is worth it. The green-covered houses are like a painting.
Parts of Houtouwan are off-limits. It is too dangerous. But you can still walk a circular path. It takes about 15 minutes. You can see the old school. Math lessons are still on the blackboards. Raised walkways let you peek into the buildings.
The village is becoming more popular. Locals sell drinks. They guide visitors. They are fixing the paths.
Houtouwan is more than just a pretty place. It shows the power of nature. It reminds us of what happens when people leave. It makes us think about our impact on the environment.
As you leave Houtouwan, remember its story. It is a story of life. It is a story of abandonment. Also it is a story of nature’s resilience. Houtouwan will stay with you long after you leave.