
China's abandoned buildings draw urban explorers despite risks
Long popular in the West, urban exploration, or "urbex" for short, sees city-dwelling thrill-seekers explore dilapidated, closed-off buildings and areas -- often skirting the law in the process.
And it is growing in popularity in China, where a years-long property sector crisis has left many cities dotted with empty buildings.
Xu, a 29-year-old tech worker from the eastern city of Qingdao, has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers for his photos of rundown schools and vacant cinemas.
"When people see these images, they find them incredibly fresh and fascinating," he told AFP.
"The realisation that so many abandoned buildings exist -- and that they can photograph so beautifully -- naturally captures attention."
AFP joined Xu and his comrades at a deserted hotel in the outskirts of Shanghai for a unique photoshoot.
From the outside, the hotel looked like a prefabricated medieval castle.
Once inside, it was clear the property had been abandoned for years.
Searching through the rooms for good spots for striking photos, Xu and his friends came across remnants of the hotel's past -- a mahjong table, laundry sheets and piles of dinner plates.
Props from past photoshoots were scattered on the floor and on one ballroom wall, "Long Live Chairman Mao" was written in spray paint.
AFP | Hector RETAMAL
China's recent property market downturn has left many abandoned large-scale projects ready ground for urban explorers.
"I don't think you would find sites like this in Europe," long-time explorer Brin Connal told AFP as he walked around an empty, abandoned building.
"In China, there's a lot of these places which are unfinished."
- 'Really special' -
One such unfinished megaproject in Shanghai, the Pentagon Mall, has become such a hotspot that explorers leave messages for each other on the walls of its top floor.
"I think this is something really special about Chinese urban exploration," said Sean, a Shanghai resident who did not want to give his real name.
"There's a very strong sense of community and it's very, very welcoming."
Situated in Shanghai's Pudong district, the project came close to completion in 2009 but investment fell through.
The giant concrete building now sits mostly in disrepair -- broken tiles litter the ground and a large faded map of the uncompleted mall is barely visible under a thick layer of dust.
Some rooms still have signs of life, with mattresses from squatters, discarded takeout and cigarette boxes and even laundry hanging outside.
"In places like Shanghai, people always find a way to make use of these buildings, even if they're not completely built and completely usable," said Sean's exploration partner Nov, who also asked to go by a pseudonym.
- 'Way too dangerous' -
Chinese social media companies are less enthusiastic.
Looking up abandoned buildings on Instagram-like Xiaohongshu, users are met with a message warning "there are risks in this area, please pay attention to safety and comply with local policies and regulations".
Connal, originally from Britain, told AFP he understood the restrictions.
"Some of them are way too dangerous, and some of these abandoned locations were getting overwhelmed with people," he said.
The hobby also takes place in a legal grey area.
AFP | Hector RETAMAL
Many urban explorers go by a simple mantra -- taking nothing from the places they visit and leaving nothing behind.
But the act of trespassing can come with fines in China, just as it does in the West.
Xu also acknowledged the risks that come with urban exploration -- from angry security guards to errant circuitry.
"Firstly, you might face the risk of trespassing illegally. Secondly, private properties may have security guards or be completely sealed off," he told AFP.
"These locations often involve hazards like no electricity or lighting, structural damage, and injuries from construction materials like exposed nails."
But model Mao Yi said the hobby offered a respite from the drudgery of big city living.
"Living in these sprawling metropolises of steel and concrete, we've grown familiar with the routines of daily life," she told AFP.
by Agatha Cantrill

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Over 200 South Africans ensnared in Thailand's human trafficking crisis
A large group of South Africans is stuck in Thailand after being rescued from illegal scamming compounds in Myanmar, because they do not have the money to buy plane tickets back home. A counter-human Trafficking NGO Brave To Love, is raising funds to repatriate victims back home. Image: Pixabay Close to 200 South Africans are stranded in Thailand, having fallen victim to a human trafficking scheme. They were lured by promises of well-paying jobs advertised through social media and word-of-mouth. This operation is allegedly orchestrated by a Chinese mafia network. The scams target young South Africans fluent in English, computer literate, and qualified in marketing or IT. They are promised good salaries, free accommodation, and comprehensive travel expenses. Once they accept the offer, they receive a one-way ticket to Thailand before being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in illegal online scamming compounds run by the mafia. Emma van der Walt, founder and chief executive of Brave to Love SA, a counter-human trafficking NGO, stated that her organisation worked alongside the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Hawks, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs & Immigration Services, and Interpol to bring back the human trafficking victims. The South Africans stuck in Thailand were rescued from Myanmar, at the same time as the group of 23 human trafficking victims, repatriated to the country in March 2025. However, the large group remains in Southeast Asia because they don't have the means to purchase plane tickets. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture, and forced labour, working for 16 hours a day. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide. They were frequently beaten or tortured if they refused. They survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment. In March, the South African government said a ransom of approximately R50,000 was demanded for their release. A large group of South Africans is stuck in Thailand after being rescued from illegal scamming compounds in Myanmar, because they do not have the money to buy plane tickets back home. A counter-human Trafficking NGO Brave To Love, is raising funds to repatriate victims back home. Pictured is International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. Image: GCIS The online scams where South Africans were forced to work are also known as 'pig butchering scams,' in which victims are cultivated online and eventually fleeced of their assets. Van der Walt, in choosing the first 23, Brave To Love prioritised the most vulnerable individuals in the group, and was followed by three more for whom the organisation managed to raise plane tickets. To date, 26 South African victims who were trafficked to the illegal scamming compounds bordering Thailand and Myanmar have been safely repatriated. She described this as one of the most complex international rescue operations that Brave to Love has successfully assisted in to date. 'Recruiters continue to lure vulnerable young people from South Africa with promises of remote work, marketing roles, or IT positions; only for them to end up enslaved by organised criminal syndicates. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. She said this is a growing crisis. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. 'Recruiters continue to lure vulnerable young people from South Africa with promises of remote work, marketing roles, or IT positions; only for them to end up enslaved by organised criminal syndicates. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. She said this is a growing crisis. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group and remains committed to the rescue and restoration of every South African still trapped abroad. Clayson Manyela, Head of Public Diplomacy at Dirco, previously explained that consular assistance offered by the government through embassies is non-financial. He stated that financial matters are covered by individuals travelling or their families, and that the government only gets involved when individuals are destitute and literally have nothing. Monyela stated that South Africans planning to travel to any country, for leisure, business, studies, or work, should get travel insurance. He added that it helps when one runs out of money and needs to travel back. He urged South Africans to find the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate in the country they are going to, and share their details with them. It helps Dirco to locate them and offer consular assistance when they are in distress. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus


eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
Lesotho's jockeys saddle up for mountain horse racing
MASERU - Swathed in vibrant woollen blankets against the biting winter chill, jockeys -- some no more than boys -- thundered down a dusty track carved between the undulating hills of the tiny kingdom of Lesotho. Spectators lining the ridges cheered on the riders as their horses sprinted down one of Africa's highest tracks, more than 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) above sea level. Horse racing in Lesotho, a country ringed by South Africa, is not just a sport; it is a cultural carnival where wagers are the real blood sport. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd This weekend's edition in the village of Semonkong in central Lesotho carried extra weight; it was the premium fixture of the season and timed to mark King Letsie III's birthday. Preparations started before the crowd arrived, with the horses, also wrapped in blankets and balaclavas to keep warm, walked to the arena in song and dance, then brushed and fitted with weather-worn saddles for their races. Being 'focused' For many jockeys the track is a rare escape. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd The country of around 2.3 million people ranks among the world's poorest, its rich mineral wealth overshadowed by sky-high youth unemployment and a troubling rate of suicide. The textile-dependent economy faces further gloom, with fresh uncertainty following tariffs announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump, who earlier this year mocked Lesotho as a place "nobody has ever heard of". The unspoken rule is that you have to forget all your problems or you will fall, jockey Tsaenh Masosa told AFP. "You have to be focused," said the 21-year-old hotel employee, layered in white, pink and blue jackets. Races stretch between 800 and 1,200 metres across a rugged mountain terrain that tests both the rider and horse. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd Winners pocket up to 1,500 loti ($85) per race, a significant payday in Lesotho, where more than 36 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day, according to the World Bank. At the trackside, most bets are simple showdowns -- punters backing one horse to outrun another, rather than the overall race winner. There are no tickets or betting slips, just fistfuls of cash, tense stares and quick payouts as money changes hands the moment one horse edges out another at the finish line. Horses over football AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd Horses first arrived in Lesotho with European settlers in the 19th century, and over generations, crossbreeding gave rise to the sturdy Basotho pony -- mid-sized, tough and known for its endurance. These ponies, along with cross-breeds and thoroughbreds from neighbouring South Africa, now make up the racing stock. But beyond the track, horses remain part of daily life. In the mountains, they are still used to herd sheep and goats, or to reach remote villages where no roads go. AFP | Fredrik Lerneryd That deep connection runs through the culture. "All the people from Semonkong prefer horse racing to football," said 39-year-old maintenance worker Andreas Motlatsi Mojaje. On the dusty oval, Masosa is still chasing his first win. He has raced seven times, coming closest with a second-place finish, but that has not dulled his hunger.

IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Dozens dead in Vietnam after tourist ferry sinks
Rescuers continue to search for five missing individuals after a tragic ferry capsizing in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay has claimed at least 38 lives. Most of those on board were families visiting from the capital, Hanoi, with more than 20 children among the passengers, it said. There were "hailstones as big as toes with torrential rain, thunderstorms and lightning", he said. Tran Trong Hung, a resident in the Ha Long Bay area, told AFP: "The sky turned dark." The vessel "Wonder Sea" was carrying 48 passengers and five crew when it capsized because of sudden heavy rain, the VNExpress news site said. The tourist boat ferrying families around Vietnam's famed Ha Long Bay was lashed by a sudden storm Saturday in one of the deadliest disasters at the UNESCO World Heritage site. Rescuers searched desperately Sunday for five people still missing after at least 38 were killed when a boat capsized at one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations. restore all settings to the default values Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Seek to live, currently behind live Border guards had rescued 11 people and recovered 34 bodies by Saturday evening, it added. Overnight, the bodies of three crew members were found in the cabin, and rescue efforts continued into Sunday morning to find the five people still missing. One of the rescued died in hospital on Sunday, bringing the toll to 38, VNExpress said. One of the rescued, a 10-year-old boy, told state media outlet VietnamNet: "I took a deep breath, swam through a gap, dived then swam up, I even shouted for help, then I was pulled up by a boat with soldiers on". Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent his condolences on Saturday to relatives of those killed and called on the defence and public security ministries to conduct urgent search and rescue. Authorities would "investigate and clarify the cause of the incident and strictly handle violations", a government statement said. Torrential rain also lashed northern Hanoi, Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh provinces on Saturday. Several trees were knocked down in the capital by strong winds. The storm followed three days of intense heat, with the mercury hitting 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, was quoted in VNExpress as saying that the thunderstorms in northern Vietnam were not caused by the influence of Tropical Storm Wipha in the South China Sea. Wipha entered the South China Sea on Sunday gaining strength, and is on course to make landfall in Vietnam early next week. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations, with millions of people visiting its blue-green waters and rainforest-topped limestone islands each year. Last year, 30 vessels sank at boat lock areas in coastal Quang Ninh province along Ha Long Bay after Typhoon Yagi brought strong wind and waves. And this month, a ferry sank off the popular Indonesian resort island of Bali, killing at least 18 people. IOL News