Nine years ago, Country Garden, China’s largest real estate developer, embarked on an ambitious $100 billion project to build a utopian “forest city”—a lush, eco-friendly resort-like enclave in Malaysia.
Conceived as a “second home” for international buyers, the vision has since collided with the political reality of “Malaysia for Malaysians”—a policy ethos prioritizing local interests. The result? A stunning yet eerily vacant “city of the future,” now dubbed a ghost town.
Visiting in person, one can’t help but admire its sophisticated design: sleek architecture woven seamlessly into greenery, high-tech infrastructure harmonizing with nature. Yet, the silence is haunting. Designed largely for Chinese buyers, the development hit a wall when Malaysia declined to grant long-term residency permits. Meanwhile, most locals have been reluctant to relocate here, given its distance from urban centers—all compounding to an occupancy rate languishing below 10%.
Still, there’s a glimmer of hope. Perhaps under new policies, Forest City may yet rediscover its purpose—not as a residential hub, but as a weekend getaway or holiday destination. A place where architecture and nature can finally meet… and breathe.
— Xiao Chen Stories, Oct 5, 2025, 8:40 p.m.