China is a country with a rich and varied history spanning from various empires dating back thousands of years before BC (the written history of China goes back to 1700-1046BC). There is factual evidence of agricultural equipment being dated as far back as around 7000 BC!
With this shear amount of history contained within a country it is not at all surprising that there are plenty of ghost stories which haunt modern day China. Ranging from bustling Beijing all the way to the small mountain city Chengde, there are any number of ghosts and ghouls haunting many of the landmarks that feature your typical china tour, you just need to know where they are!
I have compiled a top 7 of most haunted places in China that you yourself can visit, giving you a bit of history and the story behind these famous ghosts!
1) Huguang Huiguan Opera House
When it was first built, this building was intended to be a Poor house, feeding and housing thousands of citizens of Beijing who had lost their homes during World War II. However, it would seem that they overlooked one, VERY important, feature. Huguang Huiguan Opera House was actually built partially on an ancient graveyard. It is these uprooted angry spirits that are said to haunt the building. Both locals and several tourists claim to have heard a screaming voice coming from the courtyard even now. Legend is, if you throw a stone into the courtyard, the screaming spectre scolds you for doing so!
2) Burma Inn
Rumour has it that many years ago the then chef of this Beijing hotel caused the death of a guest by accidently poisoning him. Stricken by guilt the chef then committed suicide by stabbing himself to death, denying the guest the chance of a proper trial. It is this guest which is said to wander the halls of the hotel searching for his killer.
3) The Forbidden City
A common feature on many China Tours, the Forbidden City served as the imperial palace for 6 centuries of royal families. That meant that it housed 6 centuries of their advisors, attendants and concubines. As with any position of controlling powers, this ‘city’ has been the location of numerous murders over the centuries. Visitors often report seeing the ghosts of eunuchs and brides-in-waiting walking the halls in traditional dress.
One of the most famous ghost stories of The Forbidden City belongs to the mysterious black haired woman. The story goes, one day in the mid-90s, guards tried to stop a woman who was walking about the interior believing her to be a thief. After chasing her the cornered her and ordered her to turn round, to reveal that she had no face.
4) Great Wall of China
As not only one of the most famous landmarks of China but of the World, the Great Wall is said to be haunted by the soldiers that have met their death there over the years. More than 1 million soldiers are estimated to have died building the wall and many travellers have reported seeing apparitions walking the wall or hearing the sound of marching footsteps but seeing no people. Many of these ghost stories focus on a part of the wall north of Beijing known as The Wild Wall. But be careful, a couple of years ago some travellers met their own mysterious deaths whilst exploring this part of the haunted landmark!
5) Yun Shan Fan Dian Hotel
In the mountains to the northeast of Beijing is the city of Chengde, home to the Yun Shan Fan Dian Hotel. The hotel overlooks the Yangtze River and is said to be the haunting grounds of Empress Dowager Cixi (Qing Dynasty). The Empress is said to watch over her former gardens, appearing at the end of the hallway on the 8th floor. The hotel is also said to be haunted by a man wearing western style clothes who also hangs around the same floor.
6) Dead Fengman Village
Located in a different mountain range in northern China there is a village which still follows in the footsteps of its traditional culture. The region is made popular by hikers due to its many hills and forests, as aspect which has inspired the tale of a mysterious ghostly hiker. It is said that Maitreya, who was camped along the river outside the village with some friends, climbed up onto the ridge above them intending to scare them by calling out their names in the dark. To his surprise, he heard a strange and gloomy voice calling his own name back to him.
7) Tuen Mun Road
Described as a ‘Zombie’ Road due to its habit of causing more people to cause their death by its stories of ghosts. The road connects two villages in greater Hong Kong, Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, and apparently has been haunted for hundreds of years, in the last couple of years alone over 300 people have died on this treacherous road! The accidents are said to be the result of drivers trying to avoid hitting ghosts that suddenly materialise in the middle of the road. Some drivers have even reported that ghosts took control of their vehicles! If you choose to visit this road as part of your China tour, maybe it is best if your tour guide drives!
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