Over the past decade a succession of familiar looking buildings have been spotted
among the numerous images depicting China’s rapid development.
While architects have always used other buildings for inspiration,
these Chinese works of architecture go much (much!) further and are actually intended to directly
replicate some of the world’s most iconic structures.
These many – and mainly European inspired – copies are often the centerpieces of new Chinese towns,
however, in some cases entire cities have been reproduced.
Incredibly these buildings are not theme parks; people actually work and live inside these structures.
Here we take a closer look at the Chinese copy-cat phenomenon
and countdown the top ten most head-turning replicas.
To Westerners the approach of replicating an existing building with such accuracy is difficult to understand.
However, according to Bianca Bosker, the author of Original Copies: Architectural Mimicry
in Contemporary China, the country sees its replicas in a very different light.
In China a long history of replication means that copying isn’t viewed with such hostility.
In fact according to Bosker, the Chinese replicas are not homages to the originals,
or the result of a lack of imagination, they may be more a statement of power and control.
The buildings are intended to demonstrate that China is so powerful that it can create
and figuratively own the best architecture the world has created.
We kick off our list of Chinese copy-cats with one of a succession of monuments that
have appeared in Huaxi, known as China’s wealthiest village.
Huaxi is a known hotspot for mimic architecture and contains several suspect copies
– including a reasonably good looking replica of Paris’ famous Arc de Triomphe.
Huaxi’s other replicas including an attempt at recreating Sydney's Opera House.
Surprisingly it is not only international buildings that are being replicated.
The village also contains a recreation of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square rostrum.
In 2015 the village of Huaxi unveiled its latest attraction; a 2.5-mile-long replica
of perhaps the country’s best-known monument – the Great Wall of China.
Although the replica is 13,000 miles short of the original, apparently many tourists
have been convinced that it is the real thing!
Next on our list is a building that takes inspiration from one of the most famous landmarks in neighbouring
Russia. In a suburb of Beijing; an office complex has been built to closely resemble Moscow's Kremlin.
This replica has a less glamorous purpose than the real-deal with the gold-domed complex
housing the local government’s seismological, weather, water and landscaping bureaus.
At number six on our list is a building that is a combines elements from two of America’s most famous buildings.
The Shanghai Minhang People's Court is a replica of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC,
with a little bit of the White House thrown in for good measure.
Not content with simply copying individual buildings, entire towns are being created
that closely resemble European cities.
At Tianducheng, near Shanghai, a gated community called “Little Paris” was built in 2007.
The centre piece of this new town is 354-foot tall replica of the Eiffel tower.
About 30 kilometres (or 19 miles) out of Shanghai, sits another gated community similar to Little Paris.
This development – designed for a population of 10,000 people – is inspired by a British market town.
The town is complete with cobbled streets, Victorian terraces, corner shops, a pub and even a fish & chip shop.
At its centre is a replica of the Gothic Christ Church in Bristol.
Apparently, this spot has become a firm favourite among couples taking their wedding photos.
While the majority of the buildings featured on this list seem like harmless fun,
this building represents a far more serious trend.
In 2015 Zaha Hadid Architects’ Wangjing Soho towers – a major office and retail hub in Beijing – was opened.
However, before it was even completed, a very convincing replica
had appeared in Chongqing, southwest China.
One of the earliest examples of Chinese copy-cat architecture dates back to 1994.
Forty years after the original Le Corbusier-designed Ronchamp Chapel was built,
one of the most important works of modernism re-appeared in Zhengzhou.
The replica building no longer exists as the Foundation Le Corbusier, which owns the rights to the design,
sued for its demolition.
Topping our list, as not only the most impressive, but also the most interesting – and somewhat creepy –
piece of replica architecture is this recreation of Tower Bridge which was opened in 2012.
While the original stands elegantly across the River Thames in London,
this extremely detailed replica is actually mutated with four towers each 40 meters tall.
If you know of any examples of copy-cat architecture, please share them in the comments below and don’t
forget that if you enjoyed this video and would like to get more from the definitive video channel for construction,
you can subscribe free to The B1M.