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Each year, millions of travelers venture across continents to view the world's most famous landmarks firsthand. However, for those less concerned with the authenticity, replicas abound. While some are undoubtedly kitschy—like the reproductions of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower on the Las Vegas Strip—others offer intriguing variations on the original designs. Here are 10 of the most captivating replicas, ranging from the absurd to the impressive.
10. The White House in Iraq
Kurdish businessman Shihab Shihab decided to recreate the elegance and simplicity of Washington, D.C.'s White House when constructing his mansion. This replica, which cost Shihab $20 million, stands in Erbil, a city in northern Iraq once under Saddam Hussein's control. The White House has been the residence of U.S. presidents since John Adams in 1800.
Although Shihab aimed to replicate the White House's exterior, he took artistic liberties with the interior. The original White House is known for its grandeur, but Shihab exceeded expectations by lining the ceilings and the banister of the grand staircase with 21-karat gold. Though the Iraqi version is smaller—measuring 32,300 square feet (3,000 square meters) compared to the U.S. version's 55,000 square feet (5,110 square meters)—it includes a luxurious Turkish bath. In 2014, Shihab humorously remarked, 'I get to keep my bedroom for the rest of my life while Obama has to vacate it when his term ends.'
9. Christ the Redeemer in Portugal
The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil stands tall at 98 feet (30 meters) and rests upon a 26-foot (8-meter) pedestal, offering a commanding view over Rio de Janeiro with its arms outstretched. Inspired by this grand figure, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, after seeing the Brazilian statue in 1934, decided to create a similar one in Portugal. The project gained even more significance due to the impact of World War II, as the statue came to symbolize the nation's gratitude for being spared from the war's devastation.
The Portuguese replica, named Cristo Rei (Christ the King), was unveiled in 1959. At 90 feet (28 meters) tall and perched atop a 246-foot (75-meter) pedestal, it watches over Almada and looks out towards Lisbon. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the pedestal, where they are treated to a close-up view of Christ and a panoramic sight of Lisbon.
8. The Statue of Liberty in France
While numerous replicas of the Statue of Liberty exist, one of the most distinctive can be found at Vascoeuil Castle in France. Unlike the original, which holds a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other, this French version raises torches in both hands, as if celebrating a concert or sporting event. Known as 'La Victoire de la Liberté' ('The Victory of Liberty'), this statue was designed by famed artist Salvador Dalí in 1972. It is notably smaller than the New York version, standing just slightly taller than an average person.
A replica of Dalí’s iconic version of Lady Liberty can be found in his hometown of Cadaquès, accompanied by a plaque bearing Federico Garcia Lorca’s “Ode to Salvador Dalí.” This statue also serves as a symbol of Catalonia’s fight for independence from Spain, adorned in the region's flags and featuring the slogan “Llibertat presos politics,” which means “Freedom for political prisoners.”
7. Big Ben in India
Travelers on VIP Road in Kolkata, India, are greeted by an unexpected sight as they approach the Lake Town junction: a clock tower that resembles Big Ben. Known as the Kolkata Time Zone Tower, this replica was completed in 2015, though it stands at just 100 feet (30 meters), a fraction of Big Ben's 315 feet (96 meters).
According to Mriganka Bhattacharya, the South Dumdum Municipality chairman, the clock tower was inspired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s vision for Kolkata to compete with London. The choice of Big Ben was obvious, he said, considering they had limited space and needed a tall structure.
The decision to replicate a foreign landmark sparked some controversy. Deish Das, an architecture professor at Jadavpur University, criticized the move, saying, “Imitating a structure from another city is a flawed idea. Every landmark in a city has its own history and cultural significance; there’s a reason they exist.”
6. Moai (Easter Island Heads) in Japan
At Makomanai Takino Cemetery near Sapporo in northern Japan, visitors are welcomed by a row of 40 Moai statues, often referred to as Easter Island heads. These statues, although possessing bodies that are smaller in proportion to their heads and frequently buried, are modeled after the iconic figures from Easter Island. The Rapa Nui people carved hundreds of these statues, which typically stand at 13 feet (4 meters) tall. The Moai at this Japanese cemetery, however, are significantly larger, ranging from 21 to 31 feet (6.5 to 9.5 meters) tall.
In addition to the Moai statues at the Makomanai Takino Cemetery, replicas can also be found near Japan’s southern tip at Sun Messe Nichinan, a park about an hour south of Miyazaki. Here, seven towering Moai face the sea, each standing around 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall. While the Moai heads are the main attraction, the park also offers visitors a chance to see the Earth Appreciation Bell, a unique insect collection, and African tortoises.
5. The Taj Mahal in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni began the construction of a full-size replica of India’s Taj Mahal in Bangladesh in 2003, completing it just five years later. Moni explained that he built the replica because many Bangladeshis cannot afford to travel to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, so he decided to bring the iconic landmark to them. With nearly 40% of Bangladesh’s population living in poverty, Moni’s goal was to provide the poor with an opportunity to experience the historical wonder. At the same time, he hopes that the replica can attract both local and international tourists to the region.
Moni's Taj Mahal stirred up some controversy in India. An official at the Indian High Commission remarked, 'You can't just go and copy historical monuments.' Yet, Deepak Mittal, a spokesperson for the High Commission, acknowledged that the replica was unlikely to confuse tourists, and mentioned that 'a copy is a form of flattery.'
4. Stonehenge in Australia
Stonehenge, the iconic ruins in England, were positioned to align with the rising sun during the summer solstice and the setting sun in the winter solstice. However, if you find yourself on the other side of the world, you can visit Esperance Stonehenge in Western Australia, which provides a unique alternative. Unlike the aged, weathered ruins of the original, Esperance Stonehenge reflects how the stones would have appeared when first placed.
Built on a farm, the replica of Stonehenge comprises 137 stones weighing 2,755 tons (2,500 tonnes), all crafted from local granite. While the structure may appear brand new, it is an authentic replica, both full-size and astrologically aligned. When Kim and Jillian Beale decided to retire in 2014, they listed the attraction for sale at $5 million AU ($3.2 million US). After selling some of the surrounding farmland in 2020, they lowered the price to $2.1 million AU ($1.3 million US), eventually selling it in 2022.
3. Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt
While the original tomb of Tutankhamun is located in Egypt, just a mile away lies a remarkably detailed replica. The original tomb, still accessible to visitors, is gradually being worn down by the constant stream of tourists, their presence causing the paint to flake and the rock to erode. To protect the site, a highly accurate replica was opened in 2014.
This replica was created as a charitable endeavor by artist Adam Lowe, founder of Factum Arte. The process took five years to complete and came with a hefty price tag of $690,000. To achieve precise measurements, the team employed a 3D laser scanner capable of capturing up to one hundred million points per square meter. A computer-controlled router then cut the walls and sarcophagus to these exact specifications. The final touch was added by painting with both a digital printer and by hand.
There are a few notable differences from the original tomb: The antechamber now functions as a museum dedicated to Tutankhamun, and the mummy of Tut is absent, as it remains in the original tomb. Archaeologists have largely welcomed this advancement in technology that allows for these replicas to be as faithful as possible. Egyptologist Robert Brier from Long Island University commented, 'The Tut replica is not going to hurt anybody, and it’ll do good for Egypt and save the tomb. It’s a no-brainer.'
Despite its clear authenticity, tourists still often feel the pull to visit the original tomb. In response, Lowe says, 'If what’s important is deepening understanding, then this replica is an approach that can lead to a deeper understanding. If it’s about some kind of prejudice that you have to see the original, then you need to confront your own prejudices.'
2. The Eiffel Tower in Japan
Japan is home to several Eiffel Tower replicas, with the most impressive being located in Minato, Tokyo. Completed in 1958, Tokyo Tower stands at 1,091 feet (just over 333 meters), making it slightly taller than the original Parisian landmark, which reaches 1,083 feet (330 meters). This remarkable height places Tokyo Tower as Japan's second tallest structure, surpassed only by Tokyo Skytree, a massive broadcasting and observation tower that soars to an astonishing 2,080 feet (634 meters).
The main observation deck of Tokyo Tower is situated 492 feet (150 meters) above ground and can be accessed by either an elevator or a 600-step open-air staircase. A second set of elevators takes visitors to the top deck at 820 feet (250 meters). The tower’s distinctive orange and white color scheme is not just for aesthetics, but a legal requirement to comply with aviation laws, which mandate that structures over a certain height must be painted in these colors. On its 40th anniversary, Tokyo Tower introduced its mascots, the Noppon Brothers, a pair of pink, pointy-headed twins wearing dungarees.
1. The World Trade Center's Twin Towers replica in China
China boasts a variety of replicas of global landmarks, with entire parks dedicated to showcasing them. World Park in Beijing and Window of the World in Shenzhen are two such places, where visitors can find replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Leaning Tower of Pisa, among others.
In both parks, replicas of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers are still on display, alongside miniature versions of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. These controversial recreations have remained intact for over two decades since the original towers were destroyed, with no updates to the scene. Whether this is a deliberate tribute or not remains unclear.
