The Tragic Tale of Shaan New Area: China's Largest Ghost Town

TLDRShaan New Area, once a lavishly funded city of economic development, has now become China's largest ghost town. Despite billions of dollars in investment, the area is almost devoid of people. The extravagant infrastructure, including the largest railway station in Asia, remains deserted. The project, considered a millennium plan of national significance, has failed to attract talent and lacks essential facilities. The construction quality is substandard, and residents face forced relocation and harsh treatment by authorities. The once ambitious project has become a national joke.

Key insights

🏢Shaan New Area, established in 2017, has become the largest ghost town in China, with an almost empty population and deserted infrastructure.

💰Despite receiving billions of dollars in investment, the area lacks substantial industrial development, economic growth, and well-known brands.

🚉The Shaan railway station, boasting the size of 66 football fields, remains empty and symbolizes the failure of the project.

🏘️Housing in Shaan New Area is vacant, with many buildings outnumbering the residents. Rental prices are falling due to the lack of demand.

👷The construction quality in Shaan is poor, with substandard infrastructure and life-threatening risks. Videos reveal shoddy buildings and inadequate foundations.

Q&A

Why has Shaan New Area become a ghost town?

—Shaan New Area failed to attract talent, lacks essential facilities, and suffers from substandard construction quality. The project's ambitious goals were not met, resulting in a deserted and unpopulated area.

What is the current population of Shaan New Area?

—The population of Shaan New Area has seen a significant decline, with a net outflow of residents. The exact population numbers are not available, but it is considered almost devoid of people.

How has the government treated the residents of Shaan New Area?

—Residents of Shaan New Area have faced forced relocation, poor compensation, and harsh treatment by authorities. They have been forcibly evicted from their homes, leading to protests and conflicts.

What are the implications of Shaan New Area's failure?

—The failure of Shaan New Area reflects a waste of resources, a lack of economic development, and the loss of credibility for the government. It also highlights the challenges of urban planning and the negative effects of substandard construction.

Is there any hope for the revival of Shaan New Area?

—The future of Shaan New Area remains uncertain. Significant changes, such as attracting talent, improving infrastructure, and addressing the construction quality, would be required for its revival. However, the current state and public sentiment make it challenging to achieve.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Shaan New Area, established in 2017, was once expected to be a city of economic development.

02:48The project received billions of dollars in investment but has now become China's largest ghost town.

04:25The extravagant infrastructure, including the largest railway station in Asia, remains deserted.

06:57Housing in Shaan New Area is vacant, with many buildings outnumbering the residents.

09:43The construction quality in Shaan is poor, with substandard infrastructure and life-threatening risks.

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