Fengdu Ghost City, China

In the central Chinese province of Chongqing, high on the hills, is a strange ancient "City of Ghosts" that is thought to be the entrance to the afterlife. The Bridge of Helplessness, Ghost Torturing Pass, and Last Glance at Home Tower are three of the complex tests that enable the deceased to transition safely into the afterlife.

The city was founded almost two thousand years ago, possibly during the Han Dynasty. According to legend, two imperial officials named Yin and Wang escaped the monotony of their jobs by withdrawing into the mountains to practice Taoism, where they eventually attained immortality.

The place's take on the underworld and all that it entails, including demonic stone carvings, wraiths, ghosts, and a general sense of eeriness, is due to the fact that the combination of their names, Yinwang, actually translates to "King of Hell."

This city, which is perched atop Ming Mountain on the banks of the Yangtze River, is teeming with monasteries and shrines that feature demonic imagery related to hell. The locals here adhere to a synthesis of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist teachings and think there is life after death. They also think that the dead can still see and interact with living things. An unfinished, eerie hotel in Fengdu that assumes a human form is one of the city's strangest sights.

Because the paths are uneven, it is critical to wear comfortable shoes. The annual temple fair, which takes place every March, is well worth a visit.

Getting there: Via boat on the Yangtze River Cruise or train from Chongqing (1-hour journey)

Entry fee: 100¥ ($15 USD) per adult