(Check out our complete collection of Urban Exploration Tips, Tricks and Guides.)

Have you ever been drawn to the calm beauty of abandoned buildings, or even tempted to explore forbidden structures in the urban landscape? For some, urban exploration is a hobby or even a mission. Many urban explorers are also adept photographers who create amazing images showing the beauty of abandoned spaces.

Places: Urban explorers visit and document sites and spaces few venture into. Many of these are expressly off-limits and illegal, from abandoned sewer, utility or transit tunnels to residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Though approaches to urban exploration evolve, related practices date back hundreds of years.

Equipment: Urban explorations can be as simple as bypassing warning signs and ducking under red tape. However, they can also be complex and require varying amounts of equipment. The trick, of course, is knowing ahead of time as much as possible about the site or space you are planning to explore.

More: To learn more, click here to visit a random site in the urban exploration web ring or check out the the UK Urban Exploration Forums. Interested in going exploring yourself? You might want to pick up a copy of of the book: Access All Areas by the late Ninjalicious. Some explorers also visit active buildings. Want a real challenge? You should try hacking your way into this building!