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
You're right, the "whole city" version of Ghost City is simplified nonsense. But it can't be denied that excessively over indulging is also a feature of the culture. The ghost cities exist in some form, as scattered empty apartments, unfinished buildings, distorted rent and home prices... just like the loss-making majority of high speed rail, just like covid over-reach, and an endless succession of over runs on hot brands, new restaurants, maotai, and so on and on. It is too persistent to not be a feature of the culture.
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.
For a snapshot of the city in 2015, check out the photos in this piece: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/china-ordos-ghost-city-life_n_7204016
Yes, shameless self-promotion but the it's really about the pics by Matjaž Tančič.
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
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.
Thanks Xu Xi!
You're right, the "whole city" version of Ghost City is simplified nonsense. But it can't be denied that excessively over indulging is also a feature of the culture. The ghost cities exist in some form, as scattered empty apartments, unfinished buildings, distorted rent and home prices... just like the loss-making majority of high speed rail, just like covid over-reach, and an endless succession of over runs on hot brands, new restaurants, maotai, and so on and on. It is too persistent to not be a feature of the culture.
Thank you for a necessary update.