Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Apr 04, 2026

Chinese town built to look just like Paris complete with a fake Eiffel Tower

Tianducheng is a replica of Paris complete with its own versions of the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks
Visitors can wander down the Champs Elysées, take a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower and admire the Arc de Triomphe's architecture... in China.

That's because the town of Tianducheng was built to look just like a replica of the French capital, complete with some of the iconic landmarks.

For example, there's a roundabout which includes a copy of the Arc de Triomphe (although traffic is significantly quieter than the original spot).

Meanwhile, you can wander through the landscaped gardens that are a nod to the iconic Luxembourg Garden - complete with a fountain that's a copy of the real one back in France.

For those who have the Champs Elysées on their bucket list, there's a copy of the main square, although you won't find the shops and boutiques that are found in Paris.

Meanwhile, apartment blocks have been built to replicate Parisian-style architecture, including some of the cobbled streets and landscaped gardens that the city is renowned for.

The Parisian replica measures approximately 12 sq miles.

The resemblance is pretty impressive, despite the town being located approximately 6,000 miles east of the City of Lights.

One of the highlights is the 'Eiffel Tower', which is approximately a third of the original in Paris. (The real Eiffel Tower measures 1,063 feet high and weighs approximately 10,100 tons).

The town in the Yuhang District near Hangzhou, China, has been around since 2007 and was initially built to house around 10,000 residents.

As it's on the outskirts of Hangzhou, there are plenty of transport links from the city to this fake Paris.

Unsurprisingly, it does attract some visitors who come for the quirky photo opps, as well as locals who visit to get a taste of the French city without having to splash the cash on flights to go and see the real thing.

Of course travelling to China (or France) isn't possible for Brits at the moment due to global travel restrictions during the pandemic.

However, if you are after a quirky day out, there are heaps of British alternatives to iconic landmarks worth bookmarking.

We're talking hotspots that are similar to the likes of the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China - it's not quite the same, but it could be just the thing to tide you over until travel re-opens properly again!
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
×