As soon as I knew I was going to be visiting Ordos City, Inner Mongolia in July 2025, I knew I was going to have to write an essay about “ghost cities” and whether Ordos is one (or not).
Never ceases to amaze me the arrogance some people have when they are "reporting" about China. More than happy to make completely incorrect statements about something and then gloat about it a decade later. Anyone who has lived in China has watched new cities or areas being built, empty for a while then filling up before you know it. Wade Shephards' book did a lot to dispel that myth. Thanks for this post.
The Kangbashi story is very dear to me as I spent two weeks in May researching on the Ghost City Angle BUT it didn't feel right to me and I wasn't happy and Pivoted back to the China in 5. I loved though the beautiful buildings in the City.
I added the Education bit on my Hengshui High School Article. I am glad you also touched on it
A perspective on the ghost city moniker with great reportage and facts. Enjoy your substack and will upgrade to paid. This was an excellent post.
Never ceases to amaze me the arrogance some people have when they are "reporting" about China. More than happy to make completely incorrect statements about something and then gloat about it a decade later. Anyone who has lived in China has watched new cities or areas being built, empty for a while then filling up before you know it. Wade Shephards' book did a lot to dispel that myth. Thanks for this post.
The Kangbashi story is very dear to me as I spent two weeks in May researching on the Ghost City Angle BUT it didn't feel right to me and I wasn't happy and Pivoted back to the China in 5. I loved though the beautiful buildings in the City.
I added the Education bit on my Hengshui High School Article. I am glad you also touched on it
https://open.substack.com/pub/chinain5/p/the-code-of-hengshui-how-a-chinese?r=1c80q&selection=6b6eb64d-d6df-4808-b0df-c93c952c2717&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web&aspectRatio=instagram&textColor=%23ffffff&bgImage=true