The so-called Chinese "Ghost Cities" have been the subject of a number of articles in recent months. There appears to be some truth in the reports, such as in the building of a near empty new city in Inner Mongolia (Ordos). There is also a good deal of hyperbole.
The controversy goes on.The Unconventional Economist with an update.
You can get the article with all the relevant links here.Another ghost city filled. And here.
By the way macrobusiness.au is a great source for interesting information about China.