Buzz
Eiffel Tower, Hallstatt Village, Tower Bridge, and Florence City all replicated with astonishing accuracy.
Apart from historically vibrant structures, China entices tourists with numerous European-styled tourist destinations and resorts. In recent years, the trend of meticulously duplicating nearly 100% of the world's famous landmarks has gained significant attention and development from the country's tourism authorities.
1. Hallstatt Village in Guangdong
Not long ago, a village in Guangdong suddenly gained fame by faithfully replicating the architecture of Hallstatt Village (Austria), recognized as a World Heritage Site. The project meticulously transported every house, row of trees, and even imported pigeons from distant Europe.
2. Paris in Tianfu New Area (Sichuan)
The Second 'City of Lights' initiated in 2007 in Tian Du Thanh (Tien Giang) endeavored to recreate the Eiffel Tower amidst grand avenues and structures with a strong French flair. However, the project nearly went bankrupt, transforming into a ghost town with no residents. The challenging, remote location is cited as the reason for its struggle to attract tourists.
3. Dutch Village in Dong Pho (Shanghai)
A tranquil windmill by the riverside may make visitors feel like they've been transported to the Netherlands. In reality, this project, named 'One City - Nine Towns,' was approved by the Shanghai Planning Commission in 2001. However, the project faced limited success due to its distant location from the city center.
4. Swedish Town in Luodian (Shanghai)
Part of the 'One City - Nine Towns' project, this segment is situated in Luodian town, Baoshan district, Shanghai. The area closely replicates the scenery of Sigtuna, Sweden, complete with an artificial lake mimicking Lake Malaren, Sweden's third-largest lake.
5. Thames Town in Shanghai
Houses blending English and Gothic styles, cobblestone streets, iconic red phone booths, and even replicas of Winston Churchill's statue and the Queen's Guard are meticulously recreated in this Chinese village.
6. German Village in Anding (Shanghai)
The final component approved by the Shanghai government is the German village in Anding district (Shanghai), designed by architect Albert Speer. The area is systematically constructed and planned with colorful buildings ranging from 3 to 5 stories interspersed with green trees, canals, and restaurants.
A bronze statue of Goethe and Schiller is also erected in the cobblestone square. However, sharing the fate with other structures in the same project, this village is also abandoned due to the lack of interest from the residents.
7. Florence in Tian Tan
More than just buildings or a small residential area, the Tian Tan government has built a miniature city of Florence here, covering an area of 200,000 square meters with numerous world-famous shops. Architects even recreated many 'authentic' canal networks. This project incurred a staggering cost of 220 million USD.
8. Tower Bridge in To Chau
This 'imitation' bridge is twice the size of the original, not spanning any river but constructed along a road. On top of the bridge sits a cafe serving in the traditional English style.
9. Château de Maisons-Laffitte in Beijing
Zhang Laffitte Hotel in Beijing is considered the most successful replica of the Château de Maisons castle in France, showcasing opulent baroque architectural style. The hotel features a high-end spa and a wine museum within its premises.
10. Pont Alexandre III in Tian Tan
This replica of the original Parisian arched bridge was built in 1973. The four bridge pillars are adorned with distinctly Eastern symbols, including a dragon, tiger, phoenix, and turtle, symbolizing the aspirations for peace and prosperity.
According to The Star
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 18, 2014
