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Finding China’s Lost Cave Village (30 years abandoned)
Exploring China's Lost Cave Village Abandoned for 30 Years
Come with me on a journey to discover a cave village in China. YES! an actual village built into a cave. But who lived there? And why did they leave. Find out.
enjoy, mike x
Come with me on a journey to discover a cave village in China. YES! an actual village built into a cave. But who lived there? And why did they leave. Find out.
Mike Okay takes us on an intriguing adventure to a hidden cave village in China that has been abandoned for three decades. This is no ordinary village—it's actually built into a cave! The editor finds the mystery compelling: who were the inhabitants, and what drove them to leave? The video captures the haunting beauty of this lost community, inviting viewers to ponder the stories behind the empty stone homes. A must-watch for travel enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Come with me on a journey to discover a cave village in China. YES! an actual village built into a cave. But who lived there? And why did they leave. Find out.
In this episode, editor Mike Okay ventures into the mountains of central China to find a long-abandoned cave village. The journey begins with a mix of anxiety and excitement—Mike has faced espionage accusations on recent travels, so a drive to clear his head sets the tone. Along the way, he encounters a local kid wielding a butterfly knife who just wants a photo, and another boy with a translation watch that bridges the language gap. These small interactions highlight the warmth and curiosity of the rural Chinese people, even as Mike admits he has no exact location for the cave.<br><br>After navigating bus ticket mix-ups and a motorbike ride up a single-lane mountain road, Mike finally reaches a remote village. A local family cooks him rice and tofu, and a helpful woman arranges a ride. The trek down slippery, rain-soaked stairs is treacherous—he loses his lighter and phone, but the reward is breathtaking. Emerging into a vast cave, he sees a waterfall pouring off the cliff and a cluster of ancient stone houses. “This might be the craziest view I’ve ever seen,” he exclaims.<br><br>The cave village, listed as a historical building in Lichuan in 2004, was home to the Tuja ethnic minority for generations. A local explains that everyone left more than 20 years ago to find work in cities. Mike sets up his tent under the dry cave roof, but the atmosphere turns eerie. An old man warns of a curse—Chinese zombie ghosts appear at midnight. Adding to the dread, hundreds of bats roost in the ceiling, and Mike nervously googles the risks of bat guano fungus.<br><br>Despite the fear, he enjoys a surprisingly good meal, drinks to calm his nerves, and reflects on the Tuja people’s self-sufficient lifestyle. They had pigs, vegetable plots, and a community of 40–50 people living completely off the land. The 21st century made such isolation inconvenient, leading to abandonment. Mike sleeps poorly but wakes to a stunning morning, grateful for the privilege of experiencing this forgotten place. He muses that the cave is reclaiming itself, and one day it may become a tourist attraction—but for now, it’s a hauntingly beautiful relic of a vanishing way of life.
Join Mike Okay as he braves slippery mountain trails, curious locals, and a curse-laden cave to explore an abandoned Tuja village built into a cliff. With bats overhead and ghost stories in the air, he camps overnight in a place frozen in time. The reward? A breathtaking view and a profound connection to a vanishing way of life.
Mike Okay discovers an abandoned cave village in China, camps overnight among bats and ghost stories, and learns the history of the Tuja people.
Overnight in an Abandoned Cave Village in China's Chongqing Mountains
0:50 When encountering locals in rural China, be open to taking photos and interacting. Even with a language barrier, a smile and curiosity go a long way.
5:51 To find remote locations like this cave village, reach out to local YouTubers or friends who know the area. They can provide vague directions that lead to incredible discoveries.
7:15 In rural areas, ask locals for motorbike taxis to reach mountain villages. They often know the best routes and can help you find hidden spots.
16:23 When camping in an abandoned cave, set up your tent under dry overhangs for protection from rain. Bring warm gear and a good sleeping pad for comfort.
27:02 Research local wildlife before camping; bats can carry diseases like histoplasmosis. Avoid disturbing them and keep food covered to prevent contamination.
29:29 Learn about the ethnic minorities in the region, like the Tuja people, to understand the cultural significance of places you visit. Their history adds depth to the experience.
0:50 When encountering locals in rural China, be open to taking photos and interacting. Even with a language barrier, a smile and curiosity go a long way.
5:51 To find remote locations like this cave village, reach out to local YouTubers or friends who know the area. They can provide vague directions that lead to incredible discoveries.
7:15 In rural areas, ask locals for motorbike taxis to reach mountain villages. They often know the best routes and can help you find hidden spots.
16:23 When camping in an abandoned cave, set up your tent under dry overhangs for protection from rain. Bring warm gear and a good sleeping pad for comfort.
27:02 Research local wildlife before camping; bats can carry diseases like histoplasmosis. Avoid disturbing them and keep food covered to prevent contamination.
29:29 Learn about the ethnic minorities in the region, like the Tuja people, to understand the cultural significance of places you visit. Their history adds depth to the experience.
0:01 Introduction and mystery
2:06 Arriving in Wangha, Chongqing
5:51 How he heard about the cave village
9:44 Motorbike into the mountains
14:24 First view of the cave village
15:38 History and abandonment explanation
25:08 Bats and fear
29:29 Tuja people and their lifestyle
32:44 Morning reflection
0:01 Introduction and mystery
2:06 Arriving in Wangha, Chongqing
5:51 How he heard about the cave village
9:44 Motorbike into the mountains
14:24 First view of the cave village
15:38 History and abandonment explanation
25:08 Bats and fear
29:29 Tuja people and their lifestyle
32:44 Morning reflection
abandoned villagecave villagetuja peoplecamping in caveviajar a Chinaghost storybat caveethnic minorityhistorical siteWhy did they leave and is there a curse?
They left for work, more than 20 years ago. The old man said there's a curse with Chinese zombie ghosts at midnight.
Do bats bite or have rabies?
I don't know, but I googled and found bat guano fungus is a concern. I just tried to avoid getting pooped on.
Who lived here before?
The Tuja people, an ethnic minority with over 10 million members, concentrated in this part of China.
How did you manage to sleep in the cave?
I set up my tent under the dry cave roof, ate a good meal, and drank to calm my nerves. It was scary but unforgettable.
