A Photo Trip to the Abandoned Village of Houtouwan

Alan Taylor
June 11, 2018
16 Photos
In Focus

In the Pacific Ocean, east of Shanghai, China, lies tiny Shengshan Island, which is less than three miles across. The hilly island is home to several fishing villages, including Houtouwan, which was abandoned in the 1990s. Once a thriving community, the now-empty brick houses of Houtouwan stand completely covered by blankets of vegetation. Many tourists visit the picturesque village daily. AFP photographer Johannes Eisele recently visited Shengshan Island and captured these images of Houtouwan Village from ground level and from above.

Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

A villager walks between abandoned houses covered with overgrown vegetation in Houtouwan on Shengshan Island, in China's eastern Zhejiang province, on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
An aerial view of abandoned village houses covered with overgrown vegetation in Houtouwan on June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Looking down on an abandoned Houtouwan village house on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Climbing plants cover structures in Houtouwan on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
The roof of an abandoned Houtouwan house on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
A dog barks while standing among houses covered with overgrown vegetation in Houtouwan on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
An aerial shot of overgrown Houtouwan on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Houtouwan, May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
An aerial view of abandoned village houses on Shengshan Island on May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Houtouwan, June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Villagers walk between abandoned houses in Houtouwan on June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Houtouwan, June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
This aerial picture taken on May 31, 2018, shows parts of the overgrown village of Houtouwan. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Houtouwan, May 31, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Houtouwan, June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more
Sunlight falls across the abandoned and overgrown village houses of Houtouwan on Shengshan Island, Zhejiang province, China, on June 1, 2018. #

Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty

Read more