Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
17 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
17 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
17 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
17 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All China Tangshan Star Islands of Qian'an
AO Edited

Star Islands of Qian'an

Though these human-made islands were constructed as an escape for the wealthy, they rarely see many visitors.

Tangshan, China

Added By
geekintransit
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The islands are connected by a boardwalk.   geekintransit / Atlas Obscura User
The islands are connected by a boardwalk.   geekintransit / Atlas Obscura User
An island of empty Spanish villas.   geekintransit / Atlas Obscura User
Many of the empty communities lean heavily into a European theme.   geekintransit / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This series of artificial islands constructed in a widening of the Luan River were meant to be an ode to international culture, and an escape for the wealthier residents of Qian'an. The problem though, it would seem, is that when those people became wealthy, they didn't want to remain in the somewhat industrial city.

Five star-shaped islands are linked to a sixth, central, flower-shaped one, each with its own architectural theme. One island is filled with sleek, modern buildings, all curved steel and glass. Another has streets filled with sprawling Spanish-style villas.

You're unlikely to find many people enjoying the islands' numerous restaurants, hotels, or the Qian'an cultural center, but it can still make for a fun afternoon to stroll through the uninhabited avenues of what was meant to be for the elite. There's a good chance you'll have at least some street sweepers and gardeners for company, keeping it in top shape for the buyers that never came.

Related Tags

Islands Stars Rivers Architecture

Community Contributors

Added By

geekintransit

Published

June 21, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Employee at the 迁安文化会馆
Star Islands of Qian'an
Qian'an
Tangshan, 064404
China
40.008127, 118.67893
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Submerged Great Wall of China

Qianxi County, China

miles away

Da Shuhua

Tangshan, China

miles away

Old Dragon's Head

Qinhuangdao Shi, China

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tangshan

Tangshan

China

Places 2

Nearby Places

Submerged Great Wall of China

Qianxi County, China

miles away

Da Shuhua

Tangshan, China

miles away

Old Dragon's Head

Qinhuangdao Shi, China

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tangshan

Tangshan

China

Places 2

Related Places

  • Three Island Crossing as seen from the embankment above the river to the south.  This is also a unit of the state park.

    Glenns Ferry, Idaho

    Three Island Crossing State Park

    At the site of the most dangerous crossings on the Oregon Trail, a museum explores the complex history of westward migration in America.

  • Conwy Suspension Bridge

    Conwy, Wales

    Conwy Suspension Bridge

    One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world blends in perfectly with a medieval castle.

  • Ostiglia, Italy

    Isola Boschina

    One of the biggest islands in the River Po is a protected nature reserve, reachable only by a seasonal ford rich with endemic fauna, fossils, and late 19th-century buildings.

  • Green Island, Taiwan

    Green Island Lighthouse

    An American lighthouse stands on an island cliffside in Taiwan.

  • The 1000 Islands Tower

    Lansdowne, Ontario

    1000 Islands Tower

    This observation tower is a longstanding, 1960s landmark in the Thousand Islands region of Canada.

  • The river bed of Eridanos at Monastiraki train station on November 7, 2019

    Athens, Greece

    Archaeological Site Inside Monastiraki Metro Station

    View the ancient remains of buildings and the ancient "River of Hades" before hopping on a train.

  • Nerul, India

    Reis Magos Fort

    A nearly impregnable 16th-century fort is one of Goa's oldest.

  • Pancake Island, 2022.

    Providence, Rhode Island

    Gingerbread and Pancake Islands

    The origin of these small islands' sweet names is a local mystery.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.