Welcome to the most modern ghost town you’ll ever see. Located in the city of Ordos (a subdivision of Inner Mongolia), Kangbashi New Area was intended to be a 130-square-mile residential area built to accommodate some one million people. Construction of the futuristic city-within-a-city began in 2003, but city officials had trouble filling the super-expensive apartment buildings—and the remote desert location certainly didn’t help matters. It’s almost as if Kangbashi were built for a Ridley Scott movie, and then completely abandoned once shooting ended. Visitors are still free to visit the area today, and wander through the surprisingly intact buildings and art installations.
