The Futuro House UFO Village

The Futuro House UFO Village: Exploring an Abandoned Retro-Futuristic Resort in Taiwan

Take a virtual step into Taiwan’s iconic Futuro House UFO Village, a fascinating destination known among urban explorers for its futuristic architecture and mysterious past. These unique structures, shaped like flying saucers, capture the imagination, inviting you to explore their intriguing design and uncover the stories behind this remarkable yet abandoned community.

Through the incredible 360-degree panoramic images available below via Google Maps Street View, you can experience the Futuro House UFO Village as if you were actually there. Wander digitally through this surreal landscape, marveling at the vibrant colors, the retro-futuristic aesthetics, and the eerie yet captivating atmosphere that has made this site a must-see for urban exploration enthusiasts around the globe.

Image by: Ben M

Image by: Xavier Bonnefoy-Cudraz

Image by: Xavier Bonnefoy-Cudraz

Image by: 偶然的旅人

A cluster of faded UFOs sits quietly by a windswept beach in Taiwan. No, this isn’t a scene from a science fiction movie – it’s a real place you can explore. The Futuro House in New Taipei City, Taiwan is not your typical abandoned site – it’s a cluster of flying-saucer-like homes stranded on a seaside hillside, a place where mid-century dreams of the future meet the reality of decay. For urban explorers, this semi-abandoned “UFO village” offers an adventurous journey through retro-futuristic architecture and local lore. Known among locals and explorers as the Wanli UFO Village, the site is a neighborhood of oval pod houses and boxy cabins that look straight out of a 1970s science fiction movie. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the history of this abandoned in Taiwan gem, uncover why it was left to the elements, and guide you through the surreal experience of urban exploring in Taiwan’s famed Futuro House village.

A Futuristic Vision on Taiwan’s Coast: History of The Futuro House Village

The story of the Futuro House village in Wanli District began with an ambitious idea in the late 1970s. During Taiwan’s economic boom and under martial law, a local construction company set out to build a seaside resort unlike any other. They drew inspiration from the Futuro House – a flying saucer-shaped prefab home designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. Suuronen’s Futuro homes were whimsical plastic pods originally intended as portable ski chalets that could be airlifted into remote locations. In Wanli, however, the concept was adapted and recreated with a twist: the UFO-like houses were propped on concrete supports and given broad pebble-coated staircases instead of the Futuro’s adjustable steel leg.

Construction of the resort – often called the Wanli UFO Village or Futuro Village – began around 1980. The development featured not only the oval Futuro pods but also rectangular Venturo houses – another futuristic model by Suuronen – all scattered along the shoreline. Early on, the village generated buzz. Located at Feicuiwan (Emerald Bay) near Wanli Beach, one of the few beaches open to U.S. military personnel at the time, it was rumored to be aimed as a holiday retreat for American servicemen and wealthy locals. At its peak, the site boasted as many as 100 pod-like homes in bright colors, embodying an optimistic Space Age vision of leisure living. But that vision was short-lived. By the late 1980s, the resort fell into decline. Taiwan’s economy slowed, and in 1979 the U.S. cut official ties with Taiwan – meaning the anticipated American visitors never came. Many of the futuristic homes were abandoned as property values dropped and maintenance was neglected. The developer reportedly went out of business, and the once cutting-edge vacation village began to wither away.

Legends, Myths, and Why the Futuro Houses Were Abandoned

Like many abandoned places, the Wanli Futuro House village has inspired some eerie legends. Locals whisper that the project was haunted from the beginning – perhaps because it was built atop ancient burial grounds, or because a giant dragon statue at the site’s entrance was cut in half to make way for construction (an inauspicious move in Chinese culture). Some even claim there were a series of freak car accidents and unexplained suicides during the building phase, convincing everyone that the development was cursed. These ghost stories closely resemble the tale of the Sanzhi Pod City – another UFO-style resort outside Taipei that was abandoned around the same time amid talk of fatal accidents and angry spirits.

In reality, however, the downfall of Wanli’s UFO village likely had more to do with economics and politics than the supernatural. The late 1970s and 1980s brought a slowing economy in Taiwan, and the end of U.S.-Taiwan diplomatic ties meant the expected influx of American visitors never materialized. Money dried up. By the end of the 1980s, many of the pod homes sat empty, their owners having walked away from vacation properties that no one wanted to rent or buy. Without funds or buyers, the developer went bust, and the once-glittering Futuro village was left to the elements.

Adding to the intrigue, there’s evidence that the Wanli pods were bootleg versions of Suuronen’s designs rather than officially licensed units. Only about 60 to 100 Futuro houses were ever built worldwide before production stopped in 1973, and authentic Venturo houses are even rarer. Yet Wanli alone had dozens of these structures. It turns out a Taiwanese businessman named Su Ming took matters into his own hands – after visiting Finland and learning about the Futuro, he opted to manufacture look-alike fiberglass pods domestically. This explains the slight design deviations (like the fixed concrete supports) and also means the project didn’t have the backing of the original designers. Whether it was misfortune, mismanagement, or a mix of both, by the 1990s the Wanli UFO Village had become a near-ghost town – a futuristic dream turned into a derelict curiosity on Taiwan’s coast.

Exploring the Abandoned Futuro House Village Today

Getting to Wanli’s UFO village is half the adventure. Only about an hour’s journey from Taipei, this forgotten resort sits just off the coastal highway – about 3 km south of the famous Yehliu Geopark – making it easy to combine with a visit to those alien-like rock formations. Unlike well-signposted tourist sites, there’s no flashy sign or ticket booth announcing its presence. Instead, as you approach, the Futuro houses simply appear in the distance – bright saucer domes peeking above the trees by the shore. When you step off the bus at Emerald Bay (Feicuiwan) and walk up to the site, it feels like you’ve stumbled onto another planet. Visiting the Wanli Futuro House site today is like stepping onto the set of a science fiction film – only this scene is very real and weathered by time. The eerie streets of this abandoned beachside paradise are quiet except for the sound of ocean winds and the occasional crash of waves. Scattered across the grounds are the iconic saucer-shaped pods, once painted in bright yellows or oranges, now faded and streaked with grime. Some sit tilted or propped on broken foundations, windows missing or interiors exposed to the salty air. Inside one decaying Futuro pod you might find molded plastic seats covered in dust and sand – reminders of the space-age luxury that never quite materialized. The air is thick with mildew and sea-salt, and graffiti tags cover some of the curved walls. Through a round porthole window, you catch a glimpse of blue ocean and crashing waves – a striking contrast to the stale, crumbling interior.

Despite the derelict appearance, the Wanli UFO Village is only semi-abandoned. A few of the structures are still occupied or maintained. In fact, one of the Futuro houses near the entrance looks surprisingly intact – complete with an airplane-style hatch door and circular windows that still open and close. This particular pod even has a furnished interior with a small living area, kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom, indicating that someone has taken care of it (or perhaps even lives there). Elsewhere in the village, you’ll notice larger rectangular Venturo houses that are in better shape; a handful are reportedly used as weekend beach cottages by their owners or as shelter by local surfers. The juxtaposition of these surreal, spaceship-like homes against the backdrop of Taiwan’s rugged coastline creates a scene that feels both cinematic and dreamlike. Whether you visit at high noon under a bright sun or at dusk when long shadows creep between the pods, the atmosphere is equally haunting. After dark, the silhouettes of the saucer houses under the moonlight can send a shiver down your spine, but most explorers come during daylight or golden hour to fully appreciate the details (and snap that perfect photo).

In total, Wanli’s UFO village now comprises only a fraction of what was built decades ago. Perhaps half a dozen Futuro pods still survive on site (several others have succumbed to time or removal), sprinkled among a few dozen remaining Venturo cabins. This actually makes Wanli home to the largest cluster of Futuro-style houses left in Taiwan. In fact, while a few Futuro pods still survive across the globe in places like Finland, the United States, and New Zealand, Wanli’s UFO Village is one of the only places where you can walk through an entire community of such space-age homes together – a bucket-list destination for fans of odd architecture – and possibly the most Venturo houses in one place anywhere in the world. Standing amidst this architectural time capsule, you can’t help but marvel at how such a place exists in 21st-century Taiwan. But its future is uncertain. In recent years, the landowners have floated plans to redevelop the area, which would mean tearing down these vintage structures​. Some units have already been removed; one Futuro was even hauled to Taoyuan City and fully refurbished as a showpiece by a development company. For now, though, most of the saucers and cubes remain right where they’ve always been, slowly aging under the sun. The possibility that they could vanish in the near future lends a bittersweet urgency to every visit – you’re witnessing the last chapter of a “Jetsons”-era dream before it fades away.

As an urban explorer, wandering through this UFO village is equal parts exciting and humbling. There are no official tour guides or fences, and entry is technically free and open at any time, but you should tread carefully. The ground is overgrown in places, and some structures are unstable after decades of typhoon seasons and salty humidity. Graffiti and debris litter the derelict pods. You may even spot personal items left behind – a cracked TV here, a mildewed sofa there – telling silent stories of the past. It’s important to remember that a few residents still call this odd village home, so you’ll occasionally see signs of life: a dog barking behind a Venturo, laundry hanging on a line, or a light in a window at dusk. Be respectful and keep a low profile; it’s one thing to take photos of an empty ruin, but intruding on someone’s lived-in property is another matter entirely. Thankfully, most of the abandoned Futuro houses are wide open for exterior exploration, allowing you to peer inside and even step through their round doorways if safe to do so. Just be mindful of the urban exploration code: take only pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

Urban Exploring in Taiwan: Tips for Adventurous Travelers

Taiwan has a surprising number of abandoned sites tucked between its modern cities and scenic landscapes. From abandoned mining towns to derelict theaters, urban exploring in Taiwan can be incredibly rewarding for those with a sense of adventure. The Futuro House village at Wanli is a prime example – it’s both an artifact of architectural history and a playground for the imagination. If you plan on exploring this or any other abandoned spot in Taiwan, keep these tips in mind:

• Do Your Research: Learn the history and current status of the site. In the case of the Wanli UFO houses, knowing the backstory (as you do now) adds depth to your visit and helps avoid confusion with places like the demolished Sanzhi Pod City.

• Stay Safe: Old structures can be dangerous. Watch out for unstable floors, sharp debris, or rusty metal. At Wanli, some pod floors are cracked and staircases crumbling, so wear good shoes and be cautious.

• Respect Locals: Always assume someone might be around. At Wanli, a security guard or local resident might be present, especially on weekends. Greet people politely if you encounter them, and definitely don’t enter any house that looks occupied.

• Leave No Trace: Taiwan’s urbex community, like elsewhere, follows the principle of leaving sites as they are. Don’t take souvenirs or graffiti the walls. The Futuro houses have survived this long; it’s on us to ensure they remain intact as long as possible.

• Bring a Friend: If possible, don’t explore alone. Having a buddy not only increases safety (someone can get help in case of an accident), but it also means one of you can stand watch or help boost the other into tricky spots. Plus, sharing the experience makes it more fun!

• Come Prepared: Bring a flashlight (even by day, some interiors can be dark), wear sturdy shoes and long clothes to protect against rust or insects, and consider a mask if you’re sensitive to dust or mold. Taiwan’s climate can be hot and humid, so pack water and stay hydrated during your adventure.

By following these guidelines, you not only protect yourself but also help preserve these fragile locales. Exploring abandoned places in a foreign country is an incredible way to connect with its hidden history – and in Taiwan, the blend of culture, folklore, and modern ruins makes it especially fascinating. The Futuro House UFO village is often cited as one of the most unique abandoned spots on the island, and experiencing it firsthand will show you why.

From the space-age pods of Wanli to the crumbling mining towns in the hills, Taiwan’s forgotten places offer adventurous travelers a unique glimpse into the island’s past. Each of these locations has its own story and atmosphere, from futuristic pods to colonial-era industry. They highlight how Taiwan’s rapid development left behind pockets of history now frozen in decay. As always, explore responsibly and safely. Happy exploring!

If you liked this blog post, you might be interested in these abandoned locations, the Hotel Marina Lučica in Croatia, the historic Desert Inn Bar and Restaurant in Central Florida, or the Two Guns Ghost Town in Arizona.

A spherical 360-degree panoramic photograph captured at the Futuro House UFO Village in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Image by: Ben M

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