The origins of Houtouwan can be traced back to the 1980s when fishermen started settling on Shengshan Island. The area quickly grew into a vibrant fishing community with a population of over 2,000 people. But all that changed in the early 1990s when most of its inhabitants left for greener pastures, leaving behind their homes and lives in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

Today, Houtouwan has become a popular tourist destination due to its unique beauty and atmosphere. With no one living in the village anymore, it’s been taken over by nature with lush foliage growing over old buildings and cobbled streets. Despite its abandonment, visitors are still drawn to this isolated spot as they explore its unique history and uncover stories from times gone by.

The isolation of Houtouwan has led to many of its structures being perfectly preserved despite the passage of time. This makes it a great spot for photographers looking to capture breathtaking shots of the surrounding landscape or explore what life was like in this once bustling fishing village. There’s also plenty of wildlife in and around Houtouwan, including migratory birds that come each year to nest on the island’s cliffs and other wildlife such as foxes, rabbits and even deer at times. All of these things make Houtouwan an unforgettable place to visit.

Geography And Climate of Houtouwan

Houtouwan is a small fishing village located on Shengshan Island in the Shengsi Archipelago of China’s Zhejiang Province. It’s surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the East China Sea. The isolated area is known for its rocky terrain and lush vegetation, making it an attractive destination for tourists who are looking to explore unique landscapes.

The climate in Houtouwan is subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 4°C in winter to around 30°C in summer. Rainfall is abundant throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of 1,600 mm. This makes it an ideal spot for agricultural activities such as raising crops and livestock. In addition, the surrounding waters are rich in marine life, providing locals with ample amounts of seafood.

Houtouwan has been abandoned since the late 1990s when many of its residents moved away to look for better job opportunities elsewhere. Despite being deserted for decades now, it still retains its rustic charm which draws visitors from all over the world each year. Its picturesque scenery and laid-back atmosphere make it well worth a visit if you’re ever nearby.

Accessibility And Transportation of Houtouwan

Houtouwan is a remote fishing village, and it can be difficult to access. The only way to get to the village is by boat, as there are no roads that lead directly to the abandoned settlement. Visitors must take a ferry from Shengsi County and make their way up the winding coast of Shengshan Island.

The journey takes around 2-3 hours depending on sea conditions, and visitors should bring supplies with them since there are no stores or restaurants in Houtouwan. It’s also important to check the weather forecast before making the trip, as strong winds and rain can make it impossible to travel by boat.

Visitors should also be aware that there may be limited space on ferries during peak times, so it’s best to book tickets in advance if possible. Additionally, those travelling with large groups or carrying heavy luggage may need to rent a private boat in order to reach Houtouwan. As such, planning ahead is key for anyone who wishes to visit this fascinating abandoned fishing village.

A video that speaks of the village without words

Construction of the Bailong Elevator took three years and started in 1999. The lift officially opened in 2002 and cost an impressive 20 million dollars to build. The elevator attracts many visitors each year due to its magnificent views and offers an alternative to hiking up the mountain, which can take almost two and a half hours.

The lift is separated into a 505 feet long lower section embedded inside the mountain wall and an upper section consisting of 565 feet of exposed steel derrick that is outside of the mountain and visible to all. It boasts three cars that can take visitors all the way to the top in just one minute and 32 seconds, each car capable of carrying 10,800 pounds or 50 passengers.

While the Bailong Elevator is indeed an engineering masterpiece, its construction also stirred some controversy. Some felt it was not right to build an elevator on a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected national park, and environmentalists argued that it was dangerous and unwise to build on the protected site because the elevator would attract even more tourists to an already overpopulated area.

However, supporters of the elevator claim that the construction protects the mountain trails by allowing tourists to bypass them when taking the lift, and it also greatly reduces travel times to the area. Previously, visitors had to drive for almost three hours and often book rooms at hotels and guesthouses on the site in order to stay longer. With the elevator, they could travel the same distance in a minute and a half, reducing the need to stay overnight at the forest park. This has resulted in a reduced number of hotels and guesthouses, creating less strain on the UNESCO site.

The elevator’s management has been very careful with safety. The lift was shut down for 10 months in 2002 and 2003 due to earthquake concerns, but to deal with this potential danger, the elevator’s cars are now equipped with earthquake detectors that allow for a quick evacuation in case of a quake alert.

The Bailong Elevator and its surrounding scenery are believed to have been the inspiration behind the fictional jungle in James Cameron’s movie, Avatar.

The site has remained a popular tourist destination even 18 years after its construction and before COVID-19, the elevator carried up to 18,000 tourists each day and has continued to be visited after the pandemic.

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also hosts the world’s tallest bungee jump and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, the world’s highest and longest glass bridge. With so many record-breaking attractions, it’s no wonder why the park continues to be a popular destination for tourists from around the world.