The State Guest Mansions project kicked off in 2010 by the prominent real estate giant, Greenland Group, during a time of remarkable growth in China's real estate sector. Their aim was to create an upscale neighborhood for Shenyang's elite residents. More than 260 villas, designed in a European architectural fashion, emerged, flaunting lavish details like marble floors and intricate chandeliers adorned with gold accents. However, in 2018, work came to an abrupt halt due to some kind of "corruption." Today, the area stands as a deserted ghost town.
From Business Insider:
The half-built villas have become overrun by local farmers, who plow the land and plant crops on the overgrown lawns of abandoned villas. The desolate homes stand unfinished and unpainted like crumbling tombstones dotting the expansive wasteland.
The ghost town doesn't house multimillionaires — instead, its residents include a variety of cattle and livestock that wander around outside the European-style villas.
The insides of the buildings look post-apocalyptic, too, like shots straight out of "The Last of Us." The models showcasing what this development was meant to be — a lush paradise for China's nouveau riche — sit in a now-decaying housing-sales building on the sprawling property.
Guo, a 45-year-old farmer who moved into the ghost town, told the AFP that the development was likely abandoned "because of official corruption."
"They cut off the funding and cracked down on uncontrolled developments, so it was left half-finished," Guo told the outlet.
"These homes would have sold for millions, but the rich haven't even bought one of them," Guo added.
This is easily one of the most peculiar ghost towns you'll come across. It's a far cry from the ones you find in America's old west. Those usually have a small cluster of buildings, but this Shenyang case is a whole neighborhood filled with almost identical, extravagant houses.
It's honestly pretty odd and definitely gives post-apocalyptic vibes...
