Urban Adventurism: Abandoned Buildings Tourism

Save yourself from the hustle and bustle of traditional tourist attractions and spend your trip touring abandoned buildings. These once-inhabited places are brimming with stories and history; take a trip for a peaceful, unusual kind of adventure. Read up on the history and create your own walking tour.

Many abandoned buildings are remnants of old industries such as coal mining or manufacturing. Visit Kolmanskop, Namibia, an abandoned German diamond mining town. These eerie buildings have been empty since 1954 and occasionally fill with sand and dust. Some people believe the site is haunted — Destination Truth spotted some spooky happenings there. Visit at night and see for yourself.

Also associated with hauntings is the Sanzhi District, New Taipei, Taiwan. After constructing pod-shaped Futuro houses, the Taiwanese investment company mysteriously shut down and literally abandoned the project. Unlike other abandoned destinations, these empty houses never bore residents.

While most people prefer to go with the crowd, abandoned building tourism offers a thought-provoking alternative and makes you wonder what would be left behind if your hometown suddenly loses its inhabitants.