Animals You Won't Believe Exist
Humans You Won't Believe Exist
Extremely Rare Monkey Species You Never Knew Existed
Some monkeys are cute. Others are
clever. And then there are a few that look like they escaped from a dream… or
maybe a cartoon gone wrong. There’s one that shines like it was dipped in gold,
glowing through the trees like it doesn’t belong to this world. Another walks
around with a giant floppy nose that looks like it could double as a hammock.
One poor soul shows up with a bald head and a tomato-red face, like it lost a
bet with the jungle barber and never got over it. But that’s not all. You’ll
meet a heavyweight bruiser built like a bodybuilder with a paint job gone wild.
There’s one tiny fluff ball that floats through the forest like a piece of
sky-colored cotton candy. And yes—there’s even a serious-faced creature that’s
clearly still celebrating Halloween… every single day. These monkeys aren’t
made-up. They’re real, strange, and some of them are on the edge of
disappearing forever. Stick
around. Because once you’ve seen them—you’ll be telling people for days. Let’s
dive in.
17.
Gee’s Golden Langur
The Gee’s Golden Langur is so beautiful, it almost looks
fake. Its golden-white fur shines in the sunlight, making it look like it came
from a fairy tale—or a shampoo ad. This rare monkey is found only in Bhutan and
parts of Assam, India. It was officially discovered in the 1950s by Indian
naturalist E.P. Gee, and that’s why it’s named after him—not because it says
“gee!” when jumping (though it might). Golden langurs are shy and quiet. They
live high in the trees where few people can reach. They avoid humans and enjoy
a calm life, eating leaves, fruits, and seeds. These monkeys live in small
groups, usually led by a female. They spend a lot of time grooming each other
and caring for their babies. In some places, people see them as sacred and
believe they bring peace and blessings. But they are endangered, with fewer
than 5,000 left in the wild. Deforestation and human conflict are big threats,
though conservation work in Bhutan and India is helping protect them.
16.
Peruvian Black Spider Monkey
The Peruvian Black Spider Monkey looks
like it came straight out of a jungle ninja movie. With long arms, a super long
tail, and an all-black look, it’s basically the Batman of the rainforest. Found
in Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador, this monkey loves swinging through the treetops
like it’s in a jungle Olympics. Its tail is so strong it can hang upside down
and eat at the same time. Lazy or talented? Probably both. Locals call it
“Maquisapa,” but “tree acrobat” fits better. It can leap, swing, and twist in
the air like a circus performer—no safety net needed. Its eyes are sharp and
serious, like it knows your secrets. Even though it looks mysterious, it’s very
social. It lives in groups of up to 30 and makes all kinds of strange
sounds—squeals, barks, and even noises that sound like parrots. Sadly, this
amazing monkey is in danger from hunting and deforestation. Conservation groups
like the Smithsonian are trying to protect them, but their numbers are dropping
fast. If it starred in a movie, it would be The Silent Swinger.
15.
Silvery Marmoset
The Silvery Marmoset is a tiny
monkey that looks like it just stepped out of a cloud. With silver-gray fur and
giant white ears, it’s like someone gave a cotton ball a personality.
Native to Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, this mini monkey is only about 8 to 9
inches long (without the tail), and weighs about as much as a can of soda. But
don’t let the size fool you—it’s got attitude. It’s fast, alert, and super
nosy. Silvery Marmosets live in small family groups, and everyone chips in to
raise the babies—like a team of jungle babysitters. They communicate with
squeaks, clicks, and tail flicks, which sounds like a bunch of tiny
walkie-talkies going off in the trees. Their diet is fun too. They eat fruit,
tree sap, small bugs, and even lizards. They use their sharp lower teeth to
gouge holes into tree bark and then slurp up the sap like it’s a smoothie.
14.
Emperor Tamarin
If Sherlock Holmes became a monkey,
he’d look like the Emperor Tamarin. This tiny monkey has a long white mustache
that makes it look like an old emperor or a clever detective. It’s named after
Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, who also had a big mustache. But while the
emperor ruled a country, this monkey rules the treetops of South America. You
can find it in the Amazon rainforest, in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. It weighs
less than a loaf of bread—around 500 grams—but it’s quick, smart, and always
alert. Emperor Tamarins are very social and live in groups. They use squeaks
and chirps to talk. Sometimes, when two groups meet, they have loud “shouting”
contests. They eat fruits, insects, and tree sap. Even though they look old and
serious, they’re playful and jump between branches like gymnasts. What makes
them special is how their look tricks you—they seem royal and wise, but they’re
full of fun and energy. It’s like watching a tiny king go wild on a jungle
playground. Truly one of nature’s funniest and most stylish monkeys.
13.
Dusky Leaf Langur
The Dusky Leaf Langur looks like a
confused cartoon character who just woke up late for school. With wide white
eyes and soft gray fur, it always has that “what just happened?” look. Some
call it the “Spectacled Langur” because it looks like it’s wearing round
glasses—like it’s been spying on forest gossip. Found in the forests of
Thailand and Malaysia, it lives high in the trees and avoids trouble. It enjoys
a quiet life, eating young leaves, fruits, and flowers, and spending time with
its group. The babies are even funnier—they’re born bright orange and slowly
turn gray as they grow up. It’s like they start life as highlighters and fade
into calm introverts. These monkeys are polite—not loud or aggressive. They
like peace, family time, and leafy snacks. If you stare too long, one might
stare back like it’s judging your choices. Sadly, their calm life is in danger
because forests are being cut down. Wildlife groups are trying to protect them
before we lose these sleepy, librarian-looking monkeys forever.
If you liked this video so far,
leave a like and you can also check out 10 Unique Monkeys You Won't Believe Exist
On our channel 4 Ever Green.
12.
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey
The Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey looks like
it belongs in a magical fantasy movie. With bright golden-orange fur, a blue
face, and a shocked expression, it’s one of the strangest-looking monkeys in
the world. Found only in the mountain forests of central China, it lives in
cold, snowy areas where most monkeys wouldn’t survive. But this monkey doesn’t
mind the snow—it treats it like a soft blanket. It has an upturned nose, which
gives it the name “snub-nosed,” and its face always looks surprised, maybe from
the cold. These monkeys live in very large groups—sometimes up to 600—and spend
lots of time huddled together to stay warm. If hugging could win medals, they’d
be champions. They eat leaves, lichens, fruits, and even tree bark, because
food is hard to find in winter. The Chinese government has made special nature
reserves to protect them, like Shennongjia Nature Reserve. The Golden
Snub-Nosed Monkey is seen as a symbol of Chinese wildlife and has been featured
on Chinese stamps and coins to show its importance.
11.
Red-Shanked Douc
The Red-Shanked Douc looks like a
monkey dressed by a fashion designer having fun. It has red legs like velvet
pants, gray arms, a golden-orange face, and white whiskers like a wise old man.
Its tail is pure white, almost like it’s showing off. This monkey is more
stylish than many runway models. Found in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, it lives
high in the trees and almost never comes down. It’s shy, but once you see one,
you can’t look away. Some call it the “costumed ape” because it looks like it’s
wearing a royal outfit made from five animals. But it’s not just beautiful—it’s
also gentle and social. Red-Shanked Doucs live in groups of up to 50 and use
soft sounds, facial expressions, and even sneezes to talk. They eat leaves,
flowers, young shoots, and unripe fruits. Sadly, even though they are one of
the most colorful monkeys, they are critically endangered. In Vietnam, they’re
still hunted for meat and traditional medicine, and habitat loss continues to
threaten their survival.
10.
Colobus Monkey
The Colobus Monkey looks like it’s
wearing a royal black-and-white cape and forgot its thumbs at home. Yep, this
monkey has no thumbs—just four long fingers that help it swing through trees
like it’s on a mission. Found across central and eastern Africa, the Colobus
Monkey is quiet, classy, and kind of picky when it comes to food. It mostly
eats leaves but can digest the ones that make other monkeys sick, thanks to its
special multi-chambered stomach—like a cow in a monkey suit. Its name “Colobus”
actually means “mutilated” in Greek, thanks to its missing thumb. But it
doesn’t mind—it’s one of the best tree-jumpers in the forest. It can leap over 50
feet between branches like it’s doing slow-motion movie stunts. Colobus
monkeys live in family groups of 10 to 15, and they love grooming each other.
Think of it as jungle spa day, every day. They’re not aggressive, and they
rarely make loud noises, unlike their howler cousins.
9.
Zanzibar Red Colobus
The Zanzibar Red Colobus is like a punk rocker monkey with
wild red fur, a strange face, and a strong smell that might make you step back.
No offense—but scientists say it’s one of the smelliest monkeys around. Even
other monkeys sometimes keep their distance. It’s found only on Zanzibar Island
in Tanzania, making it both rare and unique. With messy white hair, a red back,
and gray limbs, it looks like it just rolled out of bed. Its long tail and
high-pitched call give it a fun, odd vibe. These monkeys love big groups—30 to
50 at a time—jumping through trees, grooming each other, and eating leaves,
flowers, and unripe fruits. Their stomachs are special and can digest tough
plant parts, like a built-in salad machine. Sadly, the Zanzibar Red Colobus is
critically endangered. The biggest threat is deforestation, as people cut down
the forests they call home. Many tourists visit the Jozani Forest Reserve to
see them, and local people are working to protect their last safe place.
8.
Mexican Spider Monkey
If Spiderman had a monkey cousin in
Mexico, it would be the Mexican Spider Monkey. This monkey is long and thin,
with arms and legs that stretch like rubber bands. Its tail works like a fifth
hand, making it move like it’s made of elastic. Found in the rainforests of
southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, it spends almost its whole life in the
trees and rarely comes down. It can swing more than 30 feet from one branch to
another without any effort. It has a small round head, black fur, and big eyes
that make it look cute and serious at the same time. Its tail is so strong it
can pick up food or hang upside down—stronger than a human arm. These monkeys
live in groups and eat fruit, seeds, flowers, and sometimes bird eggs. Sadly,
they are in danger because forests are being cut down and people hunt them. For
those lucky enough to see one in the wild, it’s like watching a superhero doing
stunts—no special effects needed.
7.
De Brazza’s Monkey
This monkey looks like it’s heading to
a forest board meeting. Meet the De Brazza’s Monkey—a fancy little guy with a
white beard, an orange crown on its head, and a serious face that says, “I’m
not here for monkey business.” Found in Central Africa, this monkey gives off
major professor vibes, like it’s been reading old scrolls under a tree for 20
years. It’s quiet, smart, and shy. You won’t see it playing around much. It
prefers to move alone or with its close family. Some call it the James Bond of
monkeys—cool, mysterious, and hard to spot. It eats fruits, leaves, seeds, and sometimes
insects, but never rushes. It seems like it's always thinking. The beard alone
makes it look wiser than your history teacher. This monkey was named after
Italian explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, who discovered it in the 1800s.
But really, the monkey deserves credit—it’s been hiding in the forests like a
pro ever since. If animals had a best-dressed award, this one would be on the
cover of Forest Vogue.
Before proceeding to our next
selection, we invite you to explore our video on Here Is Why Monkeys Never Mess with Tiny
Martens now, back to our list
6. Howler Monkey
The Howler Monkey is the loudmouth of the monkey world—and
proud of it. This monkey doesn’t just make noise—it shouts. It’s known as the
loudest land animal on Earth. You could be drinking coffee three miles away and
still hear it yelling, probably because someone entered its favorite tree.
Found in Central and South America, Howler Monkeys are big, slow-moving, and
sound like a mix between a lion and a broken car engine. But don’t
worry—they’re peaceful and sleep a lot. Some nap up to 15 hours a day, like a
teenager on summer break. When they wake up? They start howling again. They
have a special bone in their throat called a hyoid bone. It works like a
built-in speaker, no batteries needed. Their diet is simple—just leaves. Since
leaves don’t give much energy, they save it by moving slowly. Eat, sleep, and
yell—that’s their routine. National Geographic said their call is one of the
wild’s most unforgettable sounds. They’re like jungle rockstars—loud, dramatic,
and always grabbing attention. Jungle neighbors? Probably not fans.
5.
Night (Owl) Monkey
If an owl and a teddy bear had a baby, it would look like
the Night Monkey—also called the Owl Monkey. With big, round eyes and a small,
round face, it always looks surprised, like it just heard bedtime was canceled.
Unlike most monkeys, the Night Monkey is nocturnal. It sleeps during the day
and is active at night, making it the only monkey in the world that prefers
moonlight over sunlight. Found across South America, especially in the Amazon,
its big eyes help it see clearly in the dark. These monkeys are small—about the
size of a rabbit—and live in tiny family groups, usually just mom, dad, and a
baby or two. The dad does most of the babysitting, carrying the baby all day
and handing it to the mom only for feeding. They eat fruits, leaves, and
insects and like a quiet life in the trees. Though they are shy and private,
Night Monkeys are very cute. Scientists study them to learn about malaria and
sleep, so they help humans in quiet, important ways.
4. Saki Monkey
The Saki Monkey looks like it’s always
dressed for Halloween—only no one told it the party is over. With a poofy round
head, small body, and a face that looks like it’s wearing a mask, it’s both
cute and a little spooky. These monkeys live deep in the Amazon rainforest in
Brazil, Peru, and French Guiana. They stay high in the trees, quietly watching
everything below. Male white-faced sakis have fluffy black bodies and bright
white faces, making them look like floating heads in the jungle. Females look
different, with more brown and gray fur. Saki monkeys are very private. They
don’t live in big, noisy groups. Instead, they stay with just one partner and
their babies—forest introverts. They eat mostly seeds and fruits but will also
eat insects sometimes. Their strong jaws help them crack tough nuts that most
monkeys can’t open. Sakis are shy, fast, and almost never come to the ground.
If Tarzan had a quiet bodyguard who loved peace and fruit, it would be a Saki
Monkey.
3.
Drill Monkey
The Drill Monkey looks like it goes to
the gym every day and got a wild face paint job. With a strong body, sharp
eyes, and bright face colors—blue cheeks and a red nose—it’s one of the most
muscular and colorful monkeys in the world. It’s like a mix between a
bodybuilder and an artist. Drills are found mainly in Nigeria, Cameroon, and
parts of Equatorial Guinea. They’re close cousins of the Mandrill—the famous
monkey that looks like Rafiki from The Lion King—but
Drills are rarer and even stronger. Adult males can weigh up to 110 pounds and
look like they could lift a banana tree. They live in groups led by a dominant
male and sometimes join super groups of over 100 when there’s plenty of food.
They eat fruits, leaves, insects, and sometimes small animals. Drills are
peaceful in their group but don’t like being bothered. Sadly, they are among
Africa’s most endangered monkeys, hunted for bushmeat and losing their forest
homes. Groups like the Pandrillus Foundation are working hard to protect them.
2.
Bald Uakari
The Bald Uakari looks like it lost a
bet with the jungle barber. It has no hair on its head, a bright red face, and
always looks angry or upset. Some say it looks like a monkey politician. Others
think it just forgot sunscreen. Either way, you won’t forget its face. This
rare monkey lives in the flooded forests of the western Amazon in Brazil and
Peru and prefers areas near rivers. It has a short, fluffy body and a small
tail—not what you’d expect for a monkey in trees. But it’s active and moves
well. Its red face isn’t just for looks—it shows how healthy it is. A bright
red face means it’s healthy, while a pale face can mean it’s sick. These
monkeys live in groups of 10 to 30 and eat fruits, seeds, and insects. They
have strong teeth and can chew hard forest snacks. Bald Uakaris are one of the
rarest monkeys in the wild and are listed as vulnerable. They may look grumpy,
but they’re smart, social, and very special.
1.
Proboscis Monkey
The Proboscis Monkey looks like it
walked straight out of a cartoon and forgot to fix its nose. Its giant, droopy
nose hangs down over its mouth like a squishy banana—and the bigger the nose,
the more attractive the male is. In the monkey world, nose size = hotness. No
kidding. This goofy-looking superstar lives only in Borneo, mostly in mangrove
swamps and riverbanks. It’s a great swimmer—so great, in fact, it has webbed
feet. Proboscis monkeys are often seen belly-flopping into rivers or
swimming across like Olympic athletes (with weird noses). They travel in groups
of 10–30, with one big male leading the ladies and babies. Males can grow up to
50 pounds, while females are much smaller and don’t have the mega-nose.
Still, both sexes have big bellies—thanks to their special digestive system
that helps them break down leaves, fruits, and seeds. But that belly gives them
a permanent “I just ate everything at the buffet” look.
And that’s it for today. If
you enjoyed this strange lineup, hit like, leave a comment, and don’t forget to
subscribe for more weird wonders. See you in the next one!
Biggest Abandoned Skyscrapers and Mega Projects
Humans love to push boundaries, building taller, bigger, and
more extraordinary structures. But for every success like the Burj Khalifa or
the Eiffel Tower, there's a graveyard of mega-fails that halfway built and then
abandoned. What if I told you there’s a 1,080-foot-tall skyscraper, towering
over a city but completely empty. Or a $12 billion man-made island shaped like
a palm tree with half-built villas and empty beaches. What about a city built
for 1 million people, costing more than NASA’s Mars missions, but with just
empty highways and silent skyscrapers? Or 732 fairy-tale castles sitting on a
hillside, silent as a horror movie set. Then there’s a mall bigger than 120
football fields but its 99% empty.
Welcome back to another amazing episode of 4 Ever Green.
Today, we'll show you "15 Abandoned skyscrapers and mega projects." And
make sure you stick with us to the end, we’ll take a look at a replica of
Italy’s Portofino in India, so deserted that the funds used could have built
600 Taj Mahals instead. So, get ready, hit the like button, and let's dive in!
15. Ryugyong Hotel:
Imagine a 1,080-foot-tall skyscraper shaped like a pointy
glass pyramid, towering over a city but completely empty. Welcome to North
Korea’s Ryugyong Hotel, a $750 million “ghost tower” that’s never hosted a
single guest!
Construction began in 1987 to rival the world’s tallest
buildings, like the Burj Khalifa. By the 1990s, money ran out, and the concrete
skeleton stood frozen for 16 years. Locals nicknamed it the “Hotel of Doom,” a
haunting symbol of the regime’s failed ambitions. In 2011, the government spent
millions to cover up their embarrassment with a shiny glass exterior. But
inside? It's all empty halls, rusty wires, and total silence, like those
ghostly, abandoned skyscrapers from Gotham City, but this is real. In 2018,
they even added LED lights to make it glow at night, yet it’s still as useless
as a million dollars flashlight. For context, $750 million could’ve fed North
Korea’s entire population for 3 years. Instead, they built the world’s tallest
unoccupied building. What's even crazier? There's a rumor that Kim Jong Un once
tried to open it, but engineers warned it might collapse. Yikes.
14. Golden Finance 117:
Golden Finance 117, the tallest abandoned skyscraper in the
world, is a super-tall skyscraper project that was never finished. This tower
stands 597 meters tall with 128 floors, and it's the tallest building in the
world that has a flat roof, it doesn't have an antenna or railing. Its sleek
design looks like a cane. Originally, Golden Finance 117 was meant to be the
centerpiece of the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Business Center, a place planned
to have luxury homes, entertainment spots, schools, and shops.
Construction of the $1.2 billion Golden Finance 117 began on
September 10, 2008, and by the end of 2013, the building had reached over 200
meters tall. It hit its full height on September 8, 2015, but then construction
stopped because of financial problems caused by the crash in China’s stock
market. The building was supposed to have 128 floors, and there were plans to
restart construction in 2018. However, as of 2025, the skyscraper remains
unfinished and has been abandoned. Golden Finance 117, which has no cladding on
its exterior, affects China ‘s skyline with its exposed steel structure and
huge windows.
If you're enjoying this video, don't forget to hit the like button! You can
also check out our video, " World's
Most Expensive House That Cost Even More Than A Country,"
right here on our channel, 4 Ever Green.
13. Burj Al Babas:
Imagine 732 mini-castles, straight out of a fairy tale,
perched on a hillside but completely empty. Welcome to Burj Al Babas, Turkey’s
$200 million ghost town that looks like Disneyland’s creepy cousin. Built for
the ultra-rich, this “luxury village” promised mini-castles with turrets,
marble floors, and private pools. But by 2019, the developers went bankrupt,
leaving behind a maze of half-finished towers and peeling turrets. Now, it
looks like a kingdom after the apocalypse, with half-built homes, broken
windows, and empty streets. Locals call it the “Disney Graveyard,” a haunting
reminder that even dreams of gold can turn to dust. Each castle cost about
$273,000, just to sit and decay in the Turkish countryside. But today they're
worth less than a bag of rice. For 200 million, Turkey could have built 40
schools. Instead, they ended up with a hillside full of concrete fairy tales.
Frozen since 2019. Vines are climbing the walls, and owls have taken over the
towers. Will rich buyers ever show up? It's doubtful.
12. Dubai Palm Jebel Ali:
Think Atlantis, but made of sand and concrete. Dubai’s Palm
Jebel Ali, a $12 billion man-made island shaped like a palm tree, was meant to
be a playground for billionaires. Instead, it’s a surreal graveyard of
half-built villas and empty beaches. Part of the legendary Palm Islands, this
man-made wonder was supposed to have 100 luxury hotels, 5,000 villas, and theme
parks. Today, the island is just a skeleton of cranes and crumbling roads. Construction
started in 2002, but the 2008 financial crisis hit like a Marvel villain,
sinking dreams faster than Atlantis. By 2009, work stopped, leaving a
half-built palm-shaped skeleton in the ocean. The only "residents"
are stray crabs and the occasional seagull. Satellite images show a ghostly
palm, no water parks, no yachts, just silence. For $12 billion, Dubai could
have built 24 Burj Khalifas or funded global malaria eradication for five
years. Instead, they built a ghost town on the water. Even worse? The project
harmed marine life, turning a dream into an environmental nightmare.
11. Oceanwide Plaza:
Oceanwide Plaza was supposed to be a mixed-use complex with
luxury homes, hotels, offices, and shops. But over time, it has turned into an
abandoned building. Construction began in 2015 on what was planned to be three
towers, and 60% of it was finished before stopping in 2019. Designed to add
prestige to the city, Oceanwide Plaza couldn't be completed because of
financial problems and crises faced by the companies behind the project. Now,
it's known as the 3rd tallest abandoned skyscraper.
While the exterior of Oceanwide Plaza was finished, the
interior remains incomplete, turning the skyscraper into a shell covered in
graffiti. Graffiti artists frequently enter the building to paint intricate
art, particularly on the unfinished terraces of its facade. With people BASE
jumping from the top, Oceanwide Plaza is now under 24-hour surveillance for
security. So far, it has cost 1 billion dollars. Since an additional $800
million is needed to complete the project, Oceanwide Plaza remains an abandoned
skyscraper.
10. Torre Insignia:
Torre Insignia, also known as Torre Banobras, is a striking
building designed by architect Mario Pani Darqui. Completed in 1962, this
25-story skyscraper shaped like a triangular prism originally served as the
headquarters for the state bank Banobras. It was abandoned after the 1985
Mexico City earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.0, because of safety
concerns. Despite surviving six major earthquakes from 1985 to 2017 without any
damage, Torre Banobras remains abandoned.
Constructed from reinforced concrete, glass, and aluminum,
Torre Insignia stands out with a total floor area of 236,806 square meters and
a surface area of 83,056 square meters, and it includes the world’s tallest
bell tower. Despite the building's abandonment, the bell—a gift from the
Belgian government—was played on special occasions by bell artist Yolanda
Fernandez de Cordoba until her death. Known as one of the most durable
buildings in the city for surviving major earthquakes, Torre Insignia was
bought by Cushman and Wakefield in 2008 and underwent a redesign in 2011. Although
it is still abandoned today, this skyscraper is a significant piece of Mexican
architecture and continues to hold promise due to its durability and aesthetic
appeal.
Before we move on to our next selection, we invite you to
check out our video on 20
Most Beautiful Buildings That Took Creativity At Another Level.
Now, let's get back to our list.
9. The Ghost City of Ordos Kangbashi:
Imagine a city built for 1 million people but instead of
crowds, cars, and chaos, there’s just empty highways, silent skyscrapers, and
the sound of your own footsteps. Welcome to Ordos Kangbashi, a $161 billion
ghost town that feels like Matrix Zion… if humans forgot to show up.
Built in the 2000s during China’s coal boom, this city was
meant to be a utopia. This futuristic metropolis has museums shaped like alien
spaceships, stadiums big enough for 100,000 fans, and apartment towers that
stretch to the clouds. But for years, it sat empty, a post-apocalyptic
playground with no kids, no shops, and no life. Locals called it the “City of
No Tomorrow.” This place cost more than NASA’s Mars missions. For $161 billion,
China could’ve solved world hunger for two years. Instead, they built a city
where stray dogs outnumber residents. The few people who live here joke they’re
“neighbors with ghosts.” Today, it’s slowly filling up, thanks to cheap rents
and government pushes. After 15 years, it’s still 70% empty. Will it ever
thrive? Maybe by 3023. Until then, it’s the world’s most expensive zombie city.
8. Sathorn Unique Tower:
Meet Sathorn Unique Tower, Bangkok’s $140 million “Vertical
Graveyard” that’s more Silent Hill than Luxury Living. Sathorn Unique Tower, known
colloquially as the Ghost Tower, is the sixth-tallest abandoned skyscraper in
the world. This skyscraper, which has a total of 49 floors, including the
ground floor and the garage floor, was planned to be a first-class luxury
apartment complex. Designed as a postmodern concrete skyscraper, defined by a
series of stacked curved balconies and columns, the construction of Sathorn
Unique Tower began in 1990. In 1997, when the building was 80% complete,
construction was halted due to the financial crisis in Asia. The building was
completely abandoned after the architect Rangsan Torsuwan was accused of an
assassination plot.
The skyscraper, originally planned to house 600 apartment
units, began to deteriorate from neglect after being abandoned. Sathorn Unique
Tower, now a hazardous ruin with exposed wires and rusty metal, has become even
more unsafe as it is frequented by homeless and addicted individuals. Despite
these dangers, many visitors still enter this tower for exploration, climbing
to the top via a narrow stairwell.
7. The Ciudad Real Central Airport:
Imagine an airport with a runway longer than New York’s
Central Park, shiny terminals, and not a single passenger in sight. This is
Spain's $1.1 billion ghost airport, a massive White Elephant so empty, even
tumbleweeds would get bored.
Built to rival Madrid’s airport, this mega-airport opened in
2008 with dreams of 10 million travelers a year. But only 10 flights ever
landed here. By 2012, it shut down, drowning in debt. The 15,000-foot runway is
perfect for racing Ferraris, which actually happened once. The control tower is
more like a lonely lighthouse with no planes to guide. With $1.1 billion, Spain
could have built 22,000 schools. Instead, they built an airport where silence
is louder than the roar of jet engines. In 2020, it sold for just $130 million,
less than a used private jet. Today, it’s partially reopened for cargo flights,
but the terminals still echo like a Tarantino ghost town.
6. The World Islands:
Welcome to Dubai’s World Islands, a $14 billion map of Earth
made of sand. This artificial archipelago of 300 islands was meant for
billionaires to own private islands shaped like “France,” “Australia,” or
“Hollywood.” But today, most islands are drowning or sitting empty. Only one
(yes, ONE) is developed, a “Switzerland” with a single hotel.
Built in the 2000s with enough sand to bury Manhattan, this
project was Dubai’s ultimate flex. Stars like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
reportedly bought islands but never built a thing. The islands are literally
sinking due to erosion, and the 2008 financial crisis turned investors into
ghosts. The islands were supposed to host luxury resorts and mega-mansions.
Instead, they’re home to stray fish and eroded beaches. For $14 billion, you
could buy Luxembourg’s entire GDP but Dubai got a floating ghost town instead.
5. Centro Financiero Confinanzas:
Designed as the country’s largest financial center project to
symbolize Venezuela's economic strength, Centro Financiero Confinanzas, also
known as Torre de David, is one of the world’s tallest abandoned skyscrapers.
This 45-story building, one of the tallest in Latin America, began construction
in 1990. However, construction halted in 1994, just three years later, due to
the death of banker David Brillembourg and the onset of a financial crisis in
the country. At that point, 60% of the skyscraper was completed.
After sitting unused for some time, Centro Financiero
Confinanzas became the tallest shantytown in Venezuela. It was occupied by more
than 200 families during a housing shortage in 2007, growing to 700 families by
2011. Deemed unsafe, the government cleared out the building and evacuated its
residents in 2014. The skyscraper, which also suffered damage to its upper
floors from an earthquake in 2018, remains in an abandoned state in Caracas.
4. The Sky City Tower:
Sky City Tower was set to be the tallest skyscraper in the
world, aiming to surpass even the Burj Khalifa with a staggering height of 838
meters and 220 floors. It was ambitiously planned to shoot up in just 90 days,
faster than the plot of a Marvel movie. Construction began in 2013 under the
daring promise to finish in 90 days. However, engineers quickly stopped the
project due to a shaky design and lack of permits. By 2014, the project was
delayed, leaving behind a 202-meter-tall base of steel beams and broken dreams.
Today, its condensed base stands like a concrete tombstone in Changsha, China.
Locals have dubbed it the "Tower of Broken Promises"—a $1.8 billion
"what if?" that never reached the sky. For comparison, it’s like
building half the Empire State Building and then giving up. If completed, it
would have housed schools, hospitals, and living space for 30,000 people. Now,
it’s merely a ghostly base with cranes rusting in the rain.
3. Largest Ghost Mall, China:
Imagine a mall so big it could fit 100 football fields,
complete with a roller coaster, a pirate ship, and even canals like those in
Venice. Now picture it 99% empty. Welcome to New South China Mall, a $1.3
billion ghost town in the retail world, where shadows outnumber shoppers.
Opened in 2005 as the world's largest mall, it was meant to be a shopper's
paradise with room for 2,350 stores, theme parks, aquariums, and a giant
arcade. But today? Less than 1% of its stores are open. The escalators are
stuck, the food courts are like cobwebbed cafeterias, and the Venetian canals
have turned into stagnant pools of regret. For $1.3 billion, China could have
bought 26 million Big Macs... instead, they got a monument to emptiness. It's
still technically "open," with security guards patrolling halls where
their footsteps echo the loudest. The few remaining stores? A lonely McDonald’s
and a nail salon that see more dust than customers.
2. Eurosky Tower:
Imagine a 120-meter skyscraper in the shadow of the
Colosseum… but instead of Roman glory, it’s a $400 million concrete corpse.
Meet Eurosky Tower—Rome’s abandoned luxury tower which was supposed to be
Italy’s modern marvel—luxury apartments with rooftop pools and skyline views.
Instead, it’s a rotting shell, abandoned mid-construction after corruption
scandals blew up. Started in the 2000s, this tower became a playground for
shady deals. By 2012, the money vanished, leaving a concrete skeleton wrapped
in scaffolding. Today, pigeons nest in empty balconies, and graffiti artists
tag floors meant for penthouse parties. For $400 million, Italy could’ve
restored the Leaning Tower of Pisa 80 times over. Instead, they built a
vertical ghost town. Locals have nicknamed it "The Tower of Shame"—a
modern ruin that makes Nero's follies seem sensible.
1.
Lavasa City:
Imagine building a mini-Italy in the middle of India’s
Western Ghats… but instead of pasta and piazzas, you find half-finished villas,
empty lakes, and a $30 billion lawsuit. Welcome to Lavasa City, a private
utopia that turned into a real-life “Truman Show” set without the cameras or
audience. Launched in 2000, this mega-project promised to house 300,000 people.
But builders hacked down forests, drained rivers, and ignored environmental
laws. By 2010, courts slammed the brakes, calling it “illegal.” Turns out,
bulldozing forests and hillsides isn’t a great look. Today, it’s a ghost town
of cracked roads, empty hotels and buildings swallowed by weeds. For $30
billion they planned to spend, India could’ve built 600 Taj Mahals but instead,
they got a concrete mirage that even monkeys avoid. The saddest part? Lavasa’s
still “alive” on paper, with a skeleton crew maintaining its zombie streets.
And that's it for today. Thanks for watching! Don't
forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more captivating adventures from
4 Ever Green!