Sphinx spotted in Shijiazhuang? Top 10 replicas of famous landmarks in mainland China

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower in France, the White House and Capitol Building in the United States, and even the Sphinx in Egypt—these world-renowned buildings and historical heritage sites spanning Europe, America, and Africa can now all be seen in mainland China without boarding a plane—but they’re all replicas. Here’s an introduction to ten of the most well-known imitations in China. See if they’re impressively lifelike.

▲ The Sphinx that has withstood thousands of years of wind and sand alongside the pyramids (left image)... and its replica (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; CFP)

Egyptian Sphinx

The Sphinx, which stands guard beside the Pyramid of Khafre, is the oldest known monumental sculpture in the world. Recently, a 1:1 replica has been erected on a piece of open land in Donggou Village, Shijiazhuang. This “Shijiazhuang version” uses a steel frame internally, with the lion’s body made of cement and then painted earth yellow. There are three doors on the lion’s body that allow entry inside.

According to local staff, the statue was built by a local cultural and creative park for film and television shooting purposes, not as malicious replication. It was originally open to the public for free visits, but after becoming wildly popular, visitor numbers increased dramatically, and it is now no longer open to entry.

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▲ The authentic Paris Eiffel Tower (left image) and its slender version in Hangzhou (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

Eiffel Tower in Paris

The Eiffel Tower, which held the title of the world’s tallest building for 45 years at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, is not only a landmark of France but also a source of pride for the French people. It has now become a globally renowned must-visit attraction when traveling to France.

Compared to the original, the Hangzhou version is slightly slimmer. It’s worth mentioning that there’s also a replica in Shenzhen that, having endured over a century of weathering, is even more aged than the original.

▲ The slender original Tower Bridge in London, UK (left image), and the slightly more stately Suzhou version (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

Tower Bridge in London, UK

Located in London, UK, and spanning the River Thames, Tower Bridge is named after its proximity to the Tower of London. Although it is sometimes mistaken as the bridge referred to in the nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down,” the bridge in the song is actually a different one.

The replica in Suzhou is so similar to the original that it attracts many tourists who travel great distances to see it, and it has long become a popular spot for wedding photography among locals.

▲ The Sydney Opera House in Australia hosts countless artistic performances every year (left image), while the Jiangsu version has yet to be officially put to use (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

Sydney Opera House in Australia

One of the most distinctive buildings of the 20th century, the Sydney Opera House is both a world-famous performing arts center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has long been an iconic building in Sydney. The replica, called the “Petal Greenhouse in Qixing Lake Ecological Park,” located in Hai’an County, Jiangsu Province, has been completed but remains empty and unused to this day.

▲ The Jiangsu version of the White House (right image) is modeled after the north façade (left image) of the authentic U.S. White House. (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

White House in the United States

Even the official residence of the President of the United States can be replicated. A European-style clubhouse located on Zhenchuan West Road in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, not only resembles the original in appearance but also prominently displays the word “White House” on its roof. One wonders what President Obama would think if he saw it.

▲ The U.S. Capitol Building is currently the seat of the U.S. Congress (left image), while the Jiangsu replica houses the local Environmental Protection Bureau (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

U.S. Capitol Building

The U.S. Capitol Building, home to the U.S. Congress, has also been copied. It is located in Jiangsu Province and is likewise a government building—the office building of the Lianshui County Environmental Protection Bureau. With its exterior modeled after the U.S. Capitol, it has become one of the local attractions.

▲ The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, Netherlands, resembles a swan with outstretched wings (left image), while the Shandong version looks like a swan with slightly injured wings, tilting a bit (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

Erasmus Bridge in the Netherlands

Located in Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the Netherlands, the Erasmus Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. Its white structure and massive steel cables resemble the wings of a swan, hence its nickname “Swan Bridge.” In Binzhou, Shandong, there is also a replica, though its top is slightly tilted, making it look like a “swan with injured wings.”

▲ Compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (left image), which commemorates Napoleon’s victory over the Russian-Austrian allied forces and honors French soldiers who died for their country in World War I, the Zhejiang version exudes a strong commercial vibe (right image). (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; Oriental IC)

Arc de Triomphe in France

The majestic Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built by Napoleon to celebrate his victory over the Russian-Austrian allied forces. Beneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, erected in 1920 to honor the 1.5 million French soldiers who died in World War I. The ground features a red inscription that reads, "Here lies a French soldier who died for his country."

In contrast, the replica in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, appears far more commercialized. It is said to have been built by a local hotel to boost its visibility and attract more visitors.

▲ The Guangdong version (left image) of Hallstatt may not boast the picturesque natural scenery of the Austrian original (right image), but its exotic charm still draws many visitors. (Image / from Wikimedia Commons; East IC)

Hallstatt Town, Austria

The scenic Hallstatt Town in Austria is home to the world’s oldest pipeline and was once a thriving salt mining area. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, becoming a renowned and popular tourist destination.

In Huizhou, Guangdong Province, there is a similarly named villa community that offers authentic Austrian music and cuisine, as well as a variety of Austrian creative markets and locally brewed fresh beer. It could almost be described as having transplanted the entire Hallstatt Town.

▲ Shanghai’s Thames Town (right image) fully replicates the riverside scenery of the River Thames in England (left image), making it feel as if you’re truly in Britain. (Image / from East IC)

River Thames, England

The River Thames in England is the country’s most famous river and one of the busiest urban waterways in the world, as well as an iconic landmark of London. The Thames Town in Songjiang District, Shanghai, brings the riverside scenery of the English Thames to this location.

The town was entirely planned by British designers, so whether it’s the schools or the residences, they all exude a strong British style. The town also features a church and a flowing river, and its picturesque foreign ambiance has made it widely famous. It is also a popular spot for wedding photography in the area.

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