Tianducheng, China: Exploring the Abandoned Copy of Paris

TLDRTianducheng, China is a replica of Paris that was built to attract homebuyers but ended up being mostly empty. However, the city is becoming more inhabited and lively. We explore the unique architecture and talk to locals to understand why people are moving to this copy of Paris.

Key insights

🏛️Tianducheng, China is a replica of Paris, complete with famous landmarks and architecture.

🌇The city was initially mostly empty and had a reputation as a ghost town, but now more people are starting to move in and bring life to the city.

👫Locals in Tianducheng are attracted to the unique environment and aesthetic of the city, as well as the lower cost of living compared to real Paris.

🏡The city has affordable housing options, making it an attractive option for people who can't afford to buy a house in the real Paris.

🌆Tianducheng is an example of the trend in China of creating themed towns and cities based on foreign landmarks and architectural styles.

Q&A

Why was Tianducheng, China built?

Tianducheng was built to attract homebuyers by creating a unique and aesthetically pleasing environment inspired by Paris.

Was Tianducheng, China initially empty?

Yes, when it was first built, Tianducheng had low occupancy and was often referred to as a ghost town.

Why are more people moving to Tianducheng, China now?

Despite its initial emptiness, more people are starting to move to Tianducheng due to its lower cost of living and attractive housing options.

Is Tianducheng an exact replica of Paris?

While Tianducheng features famous landmarks and architecture inspired by Paris, it is not an exact replica.

What is the trend in China of creating themed towns and cities?

In China, there is a trend of building towns and cities that are themed around foreign landmarks and architectural styles, such as Tianducheng replicating Paris.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Tianducheng, China is a replica of Paris that was built to attract homebuyers but ended up being mostly empty.

12:21Tianducheng is becoming more inhabited and lively, with people now moving in and bringing life to the city.

13:23Tianducheng is an example of the trend in China of creating themed towns and cities based on foreign landmarks and architectural styles.

15:58Tianducheng was initially referred to as a ghost town with low occupancy but is now attracting more residents due to its lower cost of living and attractive housing options.