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Zombie miners, ghost fleet form the world's CREEPIEST tourist spots
Be it haunted houses to freaky apparitions, travelers have always been drawn to spooky destinations.
Adventure World, a travel company which specialises in exotic and unique locations, has revealed its list of the world’s Top 10 creepiest destinations.
We bring you a list of them, in no particular order.
Ghost Fleet of Chuck Lagoon, South Pacific
This idyllic sheltered body of water in the South Pacific may look like a tropical paradise, but the clear blue waters hide the biggest graveyard of ships in the world.
Chuuk Lagoon, as it is known, was Japan’s main base in the South Pacific during the World War II. Then, in 1944, American forces launched a sustained attack, and sent over 250 Japanese and 60 warships to the bottom of the sea.
More than 3,000 Japanese soldiers lie in this watery grave, and you can still see ghostly remnants of tanks, ships and even a submarine!
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The zombie miners in Humberstone, Chile
This fascinating ghost town in Chile was built in 1862 to produce sodium nitrate as fertiliser. But when the American economy went bust during the Great Depression, the demand dropped and the town suffered a slow demise, and was abandoned over a period of three decades.
The starving workers who died here were buried in open graves at the La Noria cemetery. Such is the terror, that according to folklore, people who have travelled to this town have never returned.
Locals don’t even bother visiting the abandoned town, for, it is said that when the sun goes down, the dead rise from their graves, zombie-like, and start walking towards the town.
Equip yourself with a zombie kit if you visit this town.
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The castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
Built by the East India Company in the late 1600s, the castle is the oldest and largest of South Africa’s colonial buildings.
Naturally, it is a haunted castle.
In 1915, sightings of a two-metre tall figure was seen roaming near the castle. It was seen again in 1947, when it was seen leaping over the castle’s battlements. It is also known to ring the castle bell from time to time.
Spooky enough?
A black hound is also known to leap at visitors, only to disappear at the last moment. Voices of an unseen but arguing have also been reported.
Bhangarh Fort, Alwar, Rajasthan
The legend of the fort is such that tourists are prohibited to enter after sunset and before sunrise. This is the most haunted place in India.
Folklore says that Bhangarh was cursed by Baba Balu Nath, causing the town’s evacuation. It is said that the Baba had allowed the construction of the fort on one condition -- it does not cast its shadow on his forbidden retreat.
But one descendent raised the palace to such a height that it cast its shadow on the retreat.
As prophesised, the town was devastated, according to local lore.
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The Mouth of Truth, Rome
The Mouth of Truth is a massive relief carving of a man’s face in marble, located at the portico of a church in Rome, Italy. It weighs about 1,300 kg, and is believed to depict the face of the sea god Oceanus.
According to legend, the mouth of the face would close if anyone put his hand in it and told a lie!
For the true hand-to-mouth experience, head to Rome!
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The handcuffed statue, Yandon, Myanmar
The statue is of a spirit, named Mya Nan Nwe, who is revered for her good deeds. She is also said to guard the riches used to build religious structures.
In 2009, former dictator Than Shwe ordered the statue to be handcuffed at night after she appeared to him in a dream, warning him of ‘dire consequences’ for his brutal suppression of monks.
Well, to stop her from haunting people’s dreams, the statue of the Burmese deity is handcuffed every evening between 9 pm to 6 am!
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Terracotta warriors, Xi'an, China
Accidentally discovered in 1974, in Xi’an, China by local farmers the pit contained around 6,000 of life-sized terracotta figures. Later excavation revealed around 2,000 more. The army boasts of more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses – all life-sized and each with unique facial expressions.
This vast ghost army was guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang di, the first emperor of China, who lived over 2,200 years ago. He is known for unifying the warring states into what is now China, and for becoming the country's first emperor.
Folklore says that these soldiers take their job seriously and are upset because the site continues to be disturbed by archaeological excavation.
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The virgins of Machu Pichu, Peru
There are several theories that Machu Pichu, otherwise the most recogniable icon of the Inca civilisation, was built for women who devoted their entire lives for the Inca god sun. The theory is supported by the fact that dozens of female skeletons were found buried at the site.
Local lore says that apparitions of Incan high priests sometimes appear on the hill top at sunrise.
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Salem witch trials, Salem, United States
From June through September of 1692, 19 women and a man were executed after being convicted of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Hundreds of others faced accusations of witchcraft, while many others languished in prisons.
It is said that the angry souls of these ‘witches’ still haunt Salem, seeking revenge for their brutal end.
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The Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes
Lourdes in France is home to the world’s most famous religious apparition.
In 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl heard a gust of wind and saw a 'lady dressed in white with a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot'. She would see the apparition on 18 such occasions.
The story spread like wildfire and thousands flocked to the small town in hope of seeing the apparition themselves. The local Bishop, started a church enquiry, and four years later declared the apparitions as authentic.
Each year, millions flock to Lourdes seeking ‘spiritual and spiritual help’.
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