Inside China's fake Paris: The $1 billion replica with an Eiffel Tower and French streets that fooled the internet
The making of China's fake Paris The Eiffel Tower, French boulevards and Parisian charm How Tianducheng became known as a 'ghost city' The transformation from
The making of China's fake Paris The Eiffel Tower, French boulevards and Parisian charm How Tianducheng became known as a 'ghost city' The transformation from empty streets to a thriving neighbourhood What visitors experience today Why China built replica European towns The internet's outdated image of Tianducheng China's Tianducheng is unlike any other residential development in the world. Built for more than US$1 billion on the outskirts of Hangzhou, the neighbourhood recreates the look and feel of Paris with its own Eiffel Tower, French-style boulevards and elegant European architecture. Over the years, viral videos and social media posts have repeatedly portrayed it as an abandoned "ghost city", leading millions of people to believe the ambitious project had failed. However, that perception is no longer accurate. Today, Tianducheng is a thriving residential community where families, cafés, parks and busy public spaces have replaced the emptiness that once defined its reputation, showing how the internet's version of a place can lag far behind reality.Tianducheng, meaning "Sky City", is a residential district in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, developed by Zhejiang Guangsha Co. Ltd. Construction began around 2007 as part of an ambitious housing project that sought to recreate the elegance and atmosphere of Paris.
Rather than building a tourist attraction, the developers envisioned a premium residential community that would appeal to affluent homebuyers looking for distinctive European-style surroundings.Inspired by the French capital's iconic landmarks, wide boulevards and classical architecture, the project became one of China's most ambitious examples of themed urban development and attracted international attention long before it was fully occupied.At the heart of Tianducheng stands a 108-metre (354-foot) replica of the Eiffel Tower, roughly one-third the height of the original monument in Paris. The district also features tree-lined avenues inspired by the Champs-Élysées, Haussmann-style apartment buildings with ornate façades, elegant fountains, statues, manicured gardens and spacious public squares. Every element was designed to evoke the character of the French capital while serving as part of a functioning residential neighbourhood. The European-inspired architecture has also made the district a popular location for photography, tourism and wedding shoots.Although Tianducheng was designed to house more than 100,000 residents, only a small number of people moved in during its early years. By around 2013, estimates suggested that only about 2,000 people lived there, leaving many apartment blocks, streets and plazas noticeably quiet.
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