Abandoned Intrigue

Why is it that with a world so driven toward innovation and novelty, abandoned infrastructure is still so intriguing?

A whole culture has formed around “urban exploration”.  The draw is undeniable.  But why?  Is it the spookiness of traipsing through a world no longer inhabited?  The room for imagination deserted places allow – ghosts of people that once were going about their daily business in a room now devoid of sound and life?  The post-apocalyptic feeling of wandering a space once so alive?  Whatever the reason, people seem find these neglected spots compelling.

Taipei is an abandoned enthusiasts dream.  There is no shortage of abandoned places to explore on this island, and the general lack of security against outsiders makes accessing them fairly carefree.

So far, an amusement park, a copper smelting mine, and a leprosy sanatorium have topped my list of abandoned places in Taiwan.

 

1. Abandoned Amusement Park:  This amusement park is located in one of the central districts of Taipei.  The enormous complex is completely abandoned, and some parts look as though they were deserted before building was even complete.  Ranging from the river side up onto the top of a hill, this place has endless sections to explore.  A few weeks after our visit, the bumper cars pictured disappeared from the grounds.

 

bumper-cars-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Bumper Cars
carousel-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Carousel
cave-building-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Cave Building
ferris-wheel-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Ferris Wheel
laurence-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Lookout
pavillion-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Pavilion
purple-flower-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Walls
table-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Picnic Area
toy-planes-1-of-1
Amusement Park – Airplane Toys

 

 

 

2. Abandoned Copper Smelter:  A short drive or bus ride out of Taipei, nestled between a famous tourist village and the coast, is this abandoned copper smelting factory.  Although officially gated off, many people squeeze through the gap in the gate to behold this massive structure.  As you can guess, you wont be alone exploring this place, on the first level at least… Luckily this structure consists of thirteen levels and few people venture beyond the safety of the first.  Getting to the roof requires crawling, climbing, and clambering through the maze of wreckage.  Luckily, if you figure out the right windows and holes to go through, previous explorers have secured frail ropes and makeshift ladders (literally sticks and old tires) to help you on your quest to the summit.  It’s not an easy labyrinth to navigate, but the views on the way are extraordinary.

 

mine-from-afar-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – First View
tracks-into-the-mist-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Old Train Tracks
building-in-the-mist-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Outpost
orange-river-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Orange River
tunnels-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Tunnels
mine-side-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Up Close
inside-the-mid-levels-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Mid Levels
inside-the-upper-levels-staircase-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Upper Levels
laurence-through-doorways-1-of-1
Copper Smelter – Looking Out

 

 

3. Abandoned Leprosy Sanatorium:  This leprosy sanatorium served as a hospital and a confined living quarters for those with the disease from the 1930s to the 1950s.  When a cure for leprosy was discovered in the mid 1950s, patients were treated and the sanatorium was closed down.  Many of the patients, who had spent much of their time within the confinement of this facility, stayed in the region.  The community built around perimeter of the abandoned sanatorium is still home to many of these individuals.  This abandoned complex is one of the most terrifying and most interesting places to be found around Taipei.  The interior looks as though everyone abruptly got up from what they were doing and left things exactly as they were.  X-rays, personal photographs, filled test tubes, beakers, and personal records can all be found in relative abundance.  Two liquid filled jars, containing a submerged heart in one and a brain in the other, are also inside the premises (although not pictured due to ethical concerns).  If this doesn’t make the hairs on your body rigid enough, there are packs of stray dogs that roam the confines who occasionally participate in a cacophonous brawl.

Taipei has built a new sanatorium a short distance from this one, and has plans to destroy the old one in order to make a new metro station.  So time is limited for this fascinating abandoned place.

outside-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Outside
waiting-chairs-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Waiting Chairs
hallway-1-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Hallway

 

green-room-chair-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Exam Room
masks-box-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Personal Items
bed-with-doll-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Hospital Bed
surgery-room-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Surgery Room
die-1-of-1
Sanatorium – Surgery Room Equipment

 

 

2 thoughts on “Abandoned Intrigue”

Leave a comment