No One Lives Anymore: Ivy and Grass Have Completely "Occupied" a Once-Crowded Village (3 photos)
Thrill-seekers are drawn to the abandoned fishing village of Houtouwan, located on the Chinese island of Shenshan. Once home to about 3,000 people, over time, due to its inconvenient geographical location, people began to gradually move to other regions of the country: they had to travel to the mainland and back every day, which was long and tiring. 
Mass emigration began in the 90s, and by 2002 the island was completely deserted.
It didn't take long for nature to take its toll. The vines began to "occupy" the houses, breaking through windows and taking over room after room. The roads and roofs were also overgrown with grass. Meanwhile, man-made structures are crumbling and cracking.
About 10 years ago, photos of the village went viral on social networks and became a "magnet" for travelers looking for thrills. 
In 2017, an observation deck opened in Houtuvan (ticket price $3), and soon convenient walking routes appeared. Local authorities posted signs near the empty houses warning tourists about the possible danger.
Today, hundreds of travelers visit this unusual location every day. According to local media, 90,000 visitors visited the island in 2021, bringing in 3.3 million yuan (US$470,000).
By the way, Shenshan is part of an archipelago of 400 islands located 64 kilometers east of Shanghai. The region is famous for its seafood and one of the largest fish farms in China. 
Getting to Houtouwan is not easy. There are a limited number of ferries between mainland China and Gouqi Island. One departs daily from Shanghai Shenjiawan Pier (9:25am) and the other from Zhoushan Shenjiamen Banshengdong Pier (7:45am), so it's worth booking in advance due to limited seats.
