China has been increasingly creating areas that replicate European destinations, celebrating European architectural culture. One such example is the Ox Horn Campus in Dongguan, owned by Huawei and completed in 2019 at a cost of $1.5 billion. The campus houses Huawei’s main research and development offices and includes replicas of historic European sites like Heidelberg Castle and a European historic village.
This trend is not limited to the Ox Horn Campus, as other areas in China like Tianducheng, a replica of Paris, and Thames Town, a traditional English village near Shanghai, exist as well. These areas, although visited by travel influencers, often remain sparsely populated or even abandoned.
The reasons behind China’s fascination with replicating European architecture are not entirely clear. It may stem from colonial history, as many areas in China were once ruled by European empires. It could also be a desire for variety in architecture or simply the vision of a few designers that may not reflect the interests of the Chinese public.
While China has its own rich architectural heritage, with examples like the Pearl Tower and China Art Museum in Shanghai blending traditional designs into modern structures, the replication of European sites continues to be a prominent trend. Whether it is a colonial legacy, a quest for diversity, or simply the preference of a select few, the Europhilia in modern Chinese architecture remains a notable phenomenon.
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