THE ADAGE THAT BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME IN DROVES–AND THIS IS WHAT CHINA HAS DONE PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE NEXT BOOM IN HOUSING SHORTAGE THAT THE COMMUNIST MANTRA IS BUILD AHEAD AND NOT BE DRIVEN FIRST WITH A MARKET DEMAND–THUS CHINA HAS THE EMPTY GHOST TOWN OF TIANDUCHENG A SUBURBS OF SHANGHAI–MAYBE TOO MUCH PLANNING AHEAD FROM THE YEAR 2007 HAS COME TO BUST–THE RE-INCARNATED CITY OF PARIS IN CHINA LAYS UN-SETTLED

SCATTERED along a barren landscape, impressive skyscrapers collect cobwebs and apartment buildings are left abandoned.

The empty streets of new-age cities in China have been attracting international curiosity for years. Construction is being completed at a phenomenal rate, in the hope there will be a sudden influx of locals who will snap up the vacant rooms.

So why the boom? The Chinese government is going all out in its preparation for the expected shortage of housing that will soon impact the overpopulated communist nation. Any train ride along the eastern side of the country will expose hundreds of these unfilled settlements.

A few hours from the mega metropolis of Shanghai, one such city is raising eyebrows. Not just for its empty towers but also for its very familiar style.

It’s Tianducheng — a prime example of an urban development that’s failing spectacularly. Located on the outskirts of the large city of Hangzhou, rural farmland has been rezoned to make way for a grandiose plan that is quickly becoming the stuff of legend.

I just had to see it with my own eyes.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/from-megacity-to-mega-fail-inside-a-curious-ghost-city/story-e6frfqb9-1227428341132