Going up to 5,100m to find gold... The reality of the world's highest slum watched by 1 million people

The video 'The world's highest slum at 5,100m above sea level,' released on the YouTube channel Seojaero 36, has surpassed 1 million views in just 4.1 days since its release. Uploaded on September 23, 2026, this video currently records 1,052,478 views, showing an average daily viewing speed of approximately 256,701 views.

La Rinconada at 5,100m above sea level, people gathered to find gold

According to the video, La Rinconada, known as the highest city in the world, is located at an altitude of 5,100m above sea level. This altitude is equivalent to the height of a 2,000-story apartment building, an environment where it is difficult to breathe because the atmospheric pressure is only about half that of sea level, and it is hard for trees to grow. The reason tens of thousands of people gather to live here is for one single reason: to find gold that can change their lives.

However, the process of mining gold is extremely dangerous. Residents suffer from mercury poisoning due to the mercury used in the gold extraction process, and symptoms of altitude sickness also frequently appear. The living environment is also poor; people must endure sub-zero temperatures in houses that only block the wind with thin metal sheets, and life is conducted with trash and sewage left neglected.

Uncertain income from the 'cachorreo system' and lack of public safety

The video introduces the 'cachorreo system,' a unique way in which miners earn money. Miners work for nearly a month without a salary, and their earnings are determined by the amount of gold mined during the final few days. If they are lucky and find gold, they earn a profit, but if not, it is an unstable structure where they must go hungry for a month. This economic instability leads to the deterioration of public safety in the city, appearing as a lawless city where robberies and murders targeting gold and cash occur.

The journey from Lima, Peru to Juliaca

The video also captures the journey toward La Rinconada. The cast members transfer planes at Lima Airport in Peru and move to Juliaca at an altitude of 3,800m above sea level. Upon arriving at Juliaca Airport, the cast members move using the local unique means of transportation, the tuk-tuk, showing the cityscape lined with monotonous buildings made of brick and cement.