Hidden along Taiwan’s scenic northern coastline, the abandoned UFO Village in Wanli remains one of the country’s most unusual and mysterious attractions. Decades have passed since it was first built, yet this futuristic community still draws in photographers, urban explorers, architecture enthusiasts, and curious travelers from all over the globe.
Space Age Architecture
Situated near Emerald Bay in New Taipei City’s Wanli District, the village is best known for its distinctive UFO-shaped homes. Officially known as Futuro Houses—and sitting alongside several Venturo Houses—these prefabricated buildings were originally designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the late 1960s, quickly becoming iconic symbols of the Space Age.
The Wanli development was constructed between 1978 and 1980, originally envisioned as a premier beachfront holiday resort. Developers hoped the quirky homes would attract affluent Taiwanese buyers and foreign residents alike, including American military personnel stationed in Taiwan at the time. Unlike the more famous Sanzhi UFO Houses, which were completely demolished in 2010, the Wanli complex was actually finished and briefly occupied before it gradually fell into decline.
Myths and Economic Realities
Over the years, countless rumors have swirled around the abandoned village. Local legends often point to mysterious accidents, sudden financial ruin, and supernatural events that supposedly doomed the project. However, historians and researchers cite much more practical reasons for its eventual failure. Changing tourism trends, rising maintenance costs, broad economic challenges, and the sharp decline in the popularity of futuristic plastic architecture following the 1970s oil crisis all played a significant role.
Today, only a handful of these iconic UFO-shaped houses are still standing. While some have deteriorated significantly, a few structures have been partially restored or adapted for limited use. Despite their heavily weathered appearance, the remaining buildings offer a rare, fascinating glimpse into an ambitious vision of the future that just never quite materialized.
In recent years, social media and YouTube have introduced the Wanli village to a massive global audience. Viral drone footage and urban exploration videos have effectively transformed the site into one of Taiwan’s most intriguing hidden destinations. Visitors are drawn in not just by the unusual architecture, but by the striking contrast between the deteriorating, futuristic homes and the peaceful natural beauty of the Emerald Bay coastline.
While it certainly no longer functions as a holiday resort, Wanli’s UFO Village has found a second life as a cultural curiosity and an unconventional architectural landmark. It serves as a lingering reminder of Taiwan’s ambitious coastal development projects during the late twentieth century, continuing to spark the imagination of anyone searching for forgotten places where history, design, and mystery intersect.