Creepy ghost towns in Asia

If you're a traveler who loves spooky destinations, a trip to the towns below should definitely be on your list. From a village swallowed by a forest in China to an abandoned factory on an island in Japan, Asia's ghost towns are perfect destinations for thrill-seekers.

Hashima Island, Japan

An island vacation is the perfect choice for any trip, although the island may not be the ideal destination – there are no white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, or paddleboard rentals. Located off the coast of Nagasaki, Hashima Island was acquired by Mitsubishi in 1890 for coal mining and remained in use until the end of the 20th century. When oil replaced coal as the primary fuel in the 1960s, and rumors of forced labor surfaced, the coal mine closed in 1974, and the island's inhabitants gradually left.

The island opened to tourism in 2009 and remains a prime example of the impact of weather and sea erosion on abandoned buildings. It's easily accessible from Nagasaki, the target of a nuclear attack in 1945, which itself is considered one of Asia's "spooky" destinations.

Bokor Hill Station, Cambodia

Once a popular resort for the French elite, Bokor Hill Station is now perhaps the last destination tourists would want to visit. However, true adventure seekers will enjoy the ancient ruins and appreciate the eerie atmosphere. Located about 23 miles west of Kampot in southern Cambodia, the station was abandoned by the French after the First Indochina War due to local uprisings. It was restored in the 1960s with the opening of a casino, but was abandoned again in the 1970s.

You can still see bullet holes embedded in the French colonial buildings, and the ruins of the original Bokor Palace, the town's center. Visitors can hike up to an altitude of nearly 1,000 meters to see a panoramic view of the town's ruins, including the old Catholic church from the 1920s.

As if the atmosphere here wasn't eerie enough, it's also rumored that over 900 people died during the construction of Bokor Hill station, due to the humidity and harsh conditions.

Hou Tou Wan, China

Hou Tou Wan, a fishing village located on Shengshan Island, Shengsi County, Zhejiang Province, was once a thriving fishing community. Today, due to a lack of access to education, food supplies, and electricity and running water, the island has been abandoned since the early 1990s, although it remains very popular with tourists.

The town of Hou Tou Wan looks like it's being slowly swallowed by the forest, with many dilapidated houses covered in thick ivy. You can hike to the top of one of the island's many hills for a panoramic view of the fishing village nestled beneath layers of lush vegetation. Some former villagers still remain, despite the lack of modern amenities.

Bhangarh, India

Considered one of the most haunted places in India, Bangarh is home to a number of strange phenomena such as eerie lights at night, ghostly music, and stories of centuries-old curses. It is rumored that this 17th-century town and its forts were cursed after a Datdala priest attempted to cast a love spell on a princess but failed, ultimately being crushed to death by falling rocks. Locals believe the curse left the village desolate and forever inhabited by ghosts. Because spirits are believed to roam the area after sunset, the Archaeological Survey of India prohibits visitors after 6 pm.

Located 53 miles from Jaipur, the well-preserved ruins of Bhangarh include temples, communal rooms, markets, villas, and the royal palace. Just remember that you must visit during the day, otherwise you might never return.

Agdam, Azerbaijan

The transformation of Agdam from a bustling metropolis to a ghost town is a dramatic story. Founded in the early 19th century, Agdam was formerly the capital of Agdam District and its population grew to over 23,000 by 1979. However, in the 1990s, the city was almost completely destroyed during the Armenian occupation, buildings looted and many of them – including the mosque – severely damaged. Now, the city is completely abandoned and dilapidated, and still occupies a precarious position at the crossroads of Georgia, Armenia, and Russia.

The town's location and mass migration make it unlikely that Agdam will regain its former glory for a long time to come. Interestingly, although the city's former football team has moved, they still retain the name Agdam out of respect for their heritage, even though no one has lived in the city for over 25 years.

Huong Thao