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The World’s Scariest Ghost Towns

Dare enter the world’s most haunted places?

Who here is intrigued by whether the supernatural is real even just a tiny bit? I definitely am. I love to watch horror movies (I swear, I’m not a psychopath) and listen to ghost stories, or then I am just plain weird. You decide. Now the earth has been around for years and years, who even knows the exact time? With it, brings some pretty creepy places… and spooky stories that have been told. So, are you brave enough to explore the world’s scariest ghost towns? We will have to see about that… Get ready for goosebumps. 

7. Hashima Island, Japan

The Hashima Island was once a thriving coal mine and has now been left abandoned, becoming the ghost town you see today. The island has also been given the nickname “Battleship island” due to its resemblance to a large battleship which isn’t hard to realize. It’s weird to think that this place used to be one of the most densely populated places in the world even more than Tokyo! What happened?! Since on the island were only living mostly coal miners and their families. Once the coal slowly started to run out. So did the jobs. Naturally, people migrated to other places seeking opportunities where they can continue to support their families.

Hashima Island in Japan is one of the world's scariest ghost towns.
Hashima Island, Japan

You can visit the island but only with a special guide. The guide will show you around the island telling you about its rich history. However, you are not allowed to go wandering around the island on your own… 

a view of the abandoned buildings on Hashima Island.
Hashima Island, Japan

6. St. Elmo, Colorado

Like many ghost towns, St. Elmo was a busy mining center, and by the year 1930 from a population of 2 000 people became 7. The 7 people included the family, who ran the general store and hotel in the city, which is now said to be haunted… If you were to visit the small city of St. Elmo, you may encounter some paranormal activity or so people have said. The city is supposedly the most haunted place in the state of Colorado, making it one of the world’s scariest ghost towns.

Two abandoned building in St. Elmo, Colorado.
St. Elmo, Colorado

For those daring enough, a ghost called Annabelle who was a local of St. Elmo roams the streets. She was known to walk with a rifle in her hand to protect her property. She was then sent to a mental institution where she was later released and passed away 2 years later. Ever since, legend has said that the ghost of Annabelle continues living with the residents of St. Elmo, as she continues to protect her property from trespassers. Could this be your next adventure with your TripMates from JoinMyTrip?

St Elmo one of the world's scariest ghost towns in Colorado.
St. Elmo, Colorado

5. Bhangarh Fort, India

A couple of kilometers southwest of Delhi, you will come across a beautiful abandoned fort in the middle of a lush green forest, called Bhangarh Fort. However, don’t let its beauty fool you! The fort is said to be cursed by a sorcerer after the local princess left him rejected, which is why it has been abandoned till this very day. Now, there’s nothing more I like than a good revenge love story. If you want to have a truly unforgettable experience, you can have a spiritual moment doing yoga during the sunset at the site with you and your TripMates

Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan, India during the day time with luscious greenery around.
Bhangarh Fort, India

4. Jazirat Al Hamra, United Arab Emirates

A short drive southwest of Ras Al Khaimah you will find the ghost town of Jazirat al Hamra. The town was abandoned in 1968 where it used to be a successful pearl fishing village. Now it’s filled with mud houses, dirt roads, and mosques. Are you ready for the scariest part of this though? It has been claimed that whoever visits the ghost town will experience chills and strange noises. It has been said that the spirits of the people who used to reside there still wander the town. If you would like to find unique experiences like this, check out JoinMyTrip to join the perfect trip for you with like-minded travelers! 

Jazirat Al Hamra one of the world's scariest ghost towns in United Arab Emirates with an old rustic spray can.
Jazirat Al Hamra, United Arab Emirates

3. Xunantunich, Belize

Somewhere in the jungles of Belize lies an ancient Mayan ruin that has been abandoned. An earthquake caused the ancient city to fall and the city was found again in the 1890s by those who dared to explore the world. The view that surrounds the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich is breathtaking. The lush green trees that overwhelm you while literally being in the middle of the jungle is a moment not to be forgotten. However, many horrible things have happened here as well. On the top of the El Castillo pyramid used to perform death rituals. Anyone who would visit the ancient ruins is said to have seen a black-haired lady with red eyes haunting the place. Rumour says she was one of the many human sacrifices. 

Xunantunich mayan ruin in Belize.
Xunantunich, Belize

2. Pripyat, Ukraine

Pripyat might not be the most beautiful sight you will ever see, but it definitely is one of the world’s scariest ghost towns. You’re here for a scary story, not a good one, if you have clicked this article so let’s get started with the next one on the list. The village of Pripyat was one of the many villages nearby that had to be evacuated the day after the explosion of Chernobyl, which no one ever returned to. Nothing in the village has been moved and everything has been left where they were when the evacuation took place.

Pripyat ghost town in Ukraine.
Pripyat, Ukraine

It has been reported that a nuclear physicist could hear someone screaming to be rescued from inside a power station. Random things would turn on and the lights would out of nowhere turn off. I already got the chills just from writing this. If you would like to possibly plan your own trip with other travel buddies then check out JoinMyTrip

World's scariest ghost towns is Pripyat, Ukraine with abandoned cars.
Pripyat, Ukraine

1. Machu Picchu, Peru

I know all of you have heard of Machu Picchu in Peru but, have you heard the spooky side of it? The lost city has been visited by thousands of travelers daily to admire the beautiful site that lies in front of them. However, many tour guides have reported that they felt like they were being pulled out of their tents by the spirits of Machu Picchu. Ever since, many sleep with shiny metal objects such as mirrors to keep the spirits away. I guess now I know what my travel essential will be when I travel to the lost city of Machu Picchu. No spirits will be pulling me out of my tent! 

Machu Pichu in Peru one of the World's scariest ghost towns.
Machu Picchu, Peru

Those were quite some scary ghost towns, hopefully not scary enough for you and your travel buddies to experience though! If you want to start traveling with like-minded travelers then head over to JoinMyTrip to either Plan or Join a trip to start sharing costs!

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