A Closer Look At The Chinese 'Ghost Mall' Seen On '60 Minutes' Reveals A Complicated Picture
The construction is called the Orient Center mall, and it sits in the center of Zhengzhou — a city of over 8 million people.
"60 Minutes" filmed part of their story on China's "ghost cities" here.
Inside, it is indeed deserted.
Wade says that the mall was due to open 3 years ago. Officials claim it will open some time later this year.
It's a huge space, with lots of room for shops and shoppers.
The elevators work, though there's no need to use them.
A ghost Starbucks ...
... a ghost Nike store ...
... a ghost Adidas store ...
... and even a ghost KFC.
In some places the mall seems to be clearly unfinished.
Parts are completely desolate ...
... and it feels completely abandoned.
However, Wade points out that the story isn't a simple one.
For one, local Zhengzhou residents don't seem ashamed of the mall at all ...
... in fact, they take visiting business people on tours.
Wade is forced to admit that even a huge, empty, apparently abandoned mall like the Orient Center could soon be full of shoppers.
Wade writes that there is a "much larger mall right next to this one that is full of stores and appears to be thriving."
It is not difficult to envision the same happening here.
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