Only the most intrepid urban explorers cross the tattered ruins of the old Iron Curtain to endure the excessive bureaucracy, military paranoia and freezing winds of the East to hunt for the ghosts of an empire. Rebecca Litchfield is one who couldn’t resist the haunting allure of the ruins of the Soviet Union.

Guo Meiling of China jumps her Mini into the road during the 38th Dakar Rally in Arrecifes, Argentina, January 2, 2016. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

People play with foam at a water park in Yantai, Shandong province, China June 16, 2107. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

Lamas dance during the “Tiaoqian” praying ceremony at the Youning Temple on February 8, 2009 in Huzhu County of Qinghai Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

The electronically animated giant baby Miguelin (created by Isabel Coixet in collaboration with the special effects team behind Alien vs. Predator) was seen in the Spanish Pavilion at the site of Shanghai 2010 World Expo on April 27, 2010 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by China Photos)

A performer dances at a housing exhibition in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, September 27, 2015. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

People watch police destroy confiscated illegal firecrackers in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China, January 29, 2016. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

A visitor walks past an installation artwork entitled “Confuciuse” which combines the word “Confucius” and “confuse” in the contemporary art exhibition at “Fun and Art” Festival on December 13, 2008 in Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)