A beginner’s guide to urban exploration

Just when you thought that we know all the possible ways a person can travel, something new and exciting pops up to give traveling a fresh boost. Urban exploration is one such trend, although the idea is neither new nor completely original. Urban exploration, or urbex, similarly to the exploration of caves for example, supposed the research, documentation, mapping of unseen (and often forbidden) urban areas.

Urban explorers can be attracted to anything from abandoned industrial facilities to former theme parks, catacombs or sewers. And like other forms of exploration, urbex is not without risk, and can entail all sorts of dangers. However, if you suspect that the urbex bug is on your tail, you might be interested in a beginner’s guide to urban exploration.

The object of exploration

There are various types of urban exploration, depending on the type of building or facility being explored. The most common form of urban exploration entails visiting abandoned places. In Japan, this hobby is particularly popular because fast industrialization followed by either economic crises or natural disasters resulted in countless abandoned factories.

Understandably, this form of exploration is risky, and careful explorers often wear respirators to protect them from harmful substances, appropriate clothes and perhaps even pepper spray – just in case they run into unfriendly dogs. Missile silos, abandoned theme parks, hospitals, asylums, schools and fallout shelters can all make great urbex destinations. Some places that started out as urbex spots, like catacombs for examples, have eventually become bona fide tourist attractions.

Keep safe and don’t break the law

Keep in mind that depending on the explored destination, urban exploration can often be illegal. Do some research before embarking on an urbex trip to make sure that you don’t run into trouble with the law. If a destination is ok to explore and you know for sure that you won’t end up being chased by security guards, you must take some precautions regarding your safety.

Asbestos is a widespread enemy of urban explorers, as well as various diseases that you can catch from debris. You also have to keep in mind that some of the places that you might like to explore are not quite as abandoned as they might seen, and there’s the risk of running into  unfriendly squatters or substance abusers. The best solution is not to go exploring on your own, but rather with a group. Old structures can also be in danger or collapsing, so no matter how alluring some abandoned mansion or factory might seem, if it looks too shabby it’s better to skip it.

The joy of discovering a place where no one has presumably set foot in a long time can be exhilarating, and amateur photographers can get some amazing shots in urban exploration destinations. Follow the urbex motto of ‘take only pictures, leave only footprints’, be careful and keep safe, and you’ll have a great time discovering the secrets of the urban jungle.

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