Want to explore the world without leaving China? It is now possible thanks to astonishing replicas of some of the most famous cities on the planet! Paris, London, and even Jackson Hole in Wyoming now have their Chinese twins, born from the desire to offer urban populations new living spaces inspired by European and American landscapes. A true urban planning laboratory, China has attempted (with varying degrees of success) to transpose Western architectural charm into life-sized ghost towns. In this article, embark on a tour of the surreal replicas of Paris, London, and Jackson Hole… without a passport or jet lag!
China has created a surreal replica of Paris
Tianducheng and the Mandarin version of the Eiffel Tower
High in the hills of Hangzhou, an old farmland has transformed into a parallel version of the City of Light: welcome to Tianducheng, also known as the “Paris of the East”! Here, a Eiffel Tower stands proudly at one-third the height of the original. The broad avenues evoke the Champs-Élysées and Haussmannian elegance reigns, but one detail betrays the displacement: the Mandarin signs adorning shop fronts, and even sheets drying on wrought-iron balconies.
This neighborhood, nicknamed “Sky City,” was conceived in 2007 as a vast real estate project aimed at a Chinese elite enamored with the chic aura of Paris. The colossal investment hoped to attract 10,000 residents, but only a few curious onlookers and future brides come to pose in white dresses in front of the fake Observatory Fountain! After being labeled a ghost town, Tianducheng is now experiencing a timid renaissance, animated by its residents returning after their workday.
Accessible in about thirty minutes from Hangzhou or less than two hours from Shanghai (subway line 1, then taxi), this improbable city invites a unique change of scenery for a stroll, before heading off to discover other architectural treasures.
A Little England near Shanghai: the replica of London
Thames Town: the British dream reimagined
Fasten your seatbelt, we’re heading to Thames Town! Just an hour from Shanghai, you enter a setting straight out of an English fairy tale. Cobblestone streets, rows of timber-framed houses, red telephone booths, and statues more British than the real deal – Churchill, James Bond, and even Harry Potter seem to have gathered for an afternoon tea.
Launched in 2006 to attract wealthy clients wanting to settle in an English setting, this mind-boggling replica has mainly transformed into a giant backdrop for Instagram photos and kitsch wedding ceremonies with a replica of Bristol’s Christ Church in the background. Daily life, however, remains rare, as the housing consists mostly of vacation homes.
To reach this corner of Great Britain in the heart of the Middle Empire, simply take subway line 9 to Songjiang University Town, then tram T2 to Thames Town West Station. An unusual opportunity to explore trends in architectural duplication Chinese-style while keeping an eye out for a potential Fish & Chips!
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, comes to life an hour from Beijing
Western vibe under the Great Wall
After the charms of old Europe, we head for the vast American plains with the replica of Jackson Hole… just a few kilometers from Beijing! This crazy project came to life in 2004, driven by the American dream and a few million in investments. It features symbols of the Wild West: weathered wooden cabins, saloon-style bars, and even a replica of the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar!
Designed for those seeking a taste of America, the city offers over 1,500 pavilions and a mountain resort atmosphere. Security guards play along, perched on golf carts in cowboy attire! A true change of scenery, although some lament the lack of natural hot springs like those in Wyoming.
Jackson Hole made in China, or “Hometown USA,” perfectly illustrates this craze for duplicated cities that intrigues as much as it fascinates. The high plateaus of the region, complemented by these American settings, offer fans of unusual architecture an unexpected destination… before flying off to other adventures, like discovering different cultures and landscapes.
The Chinese fascination with architectural duplication
These astonishing experiences arose from the initiative “One City, Nine Towns” aimed at alleviating congestion in Shanghai while offering alternative lifestyles inspired by the West. While most of these places have remained desperately empty, their duplicated architecture now attracts the curious, urban planning enthusiasts, and seekers of eccentric destinations torn between the Seine, the Thames, or the Rockies.
These ghost cities, which have become symbols of experimental urban planning, also prove that copying does not always equal the original, but allows dreamers to escape, whether through a selfie or an unusual stroll – another splendid proof that travel is also a state of mind! For those wishing to extend the magic of dislocation, why not explore other distant horizons or enjoy an immobile journey through the curiosities of cultural duplication?
