You don’t have to have traveled to China to know that it is the fake capital of the world. From counterfeit goods in the markets to a copy of the Pentagon located just outside of Shanghai, China takes counterfeiting to a level that exceeds even its levels of economic growth.
It’s really a goal, then, that a new park in the otherwise anonymous Chinese city of Ningbo showcases replicas of more than 50 of the world’s top attractions. As is the case with many Chinese counterfeits of all kinds, these replicas vary in terms of accuracy and quality. But one thing is for sure: you will never see so many wonders of the world in one place anywhere else in the world.
What wonders of the world exist in Ningbo Replica Park?
Upon entering Ningbo Replica Park, you may lose track of all the replicas of world wonders you find. The first you see is probably the least surprising: the Statue of Liberty, a clone that has long existed on the island of Odaiba, south of Tokyo, Japan. (Note: The Japanese Statue of Liberty is significantly truer than the original found in Ningbo Replica Park.)
The Arc de Triomphe, however, is a bit more unexpected, as is the replica of the Colosseum in Rome. The moment you see Big Ben, you might start wondering which continent you are on. Well, unless you pay attention to the color, scale, or any other qualitative aspect of these replicas that sets them apart from the originals, usually in favor of the originals.
It’s certainly not just that these replicas exist (or, frankly, that they’re poorly made) that makes them so amazing to behold. Many are highly modified in ways that believe in their history. The replica of the Great Pyramid here, for example, is home to a thrilling roller coaster. If you visit the fake Acropolis of Ningbo, on the other hand, you can swim in the pool that exists within the ruins of its walls.
Where in Ningbo is Replica Park located?
The park, which does not appear to be fully built as of September 2018, is located just northwest of the Chinese coastal city of Ningbo, near the base of Dapeng Mountain. It doesn’t seem to have an official name in English (or Chinese, by the way), but if you are traveling to Ningbo, just point to a taxi driver and say the following: Da peng shan fu zhi pin gong yuan (达 蓬山 复制品 公园), literally “Dapeng Mountain Replica Park”.
And how, precisely, do you get to Ningbo? Good question – read on for the answer.
How to get to Ningbo
As is the case in many cities in China, Ningbo presents a paradox. While you’ve probably never heard of it before reading this article, Ningbo has a population close to that of New York City. As such, Ningbo has an airport, albeit one with full flights from East Asia: a vast majority of destinations in China, and some beyond those in Japan.
In fact, if you want to visit Ningbo from abroad, your best bet is to search for flights to Shanghai or Hangzhou, both less than three hours from Ningbo by train. Alternatively, you could catch a domestic flight after arriving at a large Chinese airport from abroad, although given the average delays at China’s airport and the often arduous security process, you could also travel by land.
