Tianducheng (Chinese: 天都城; pinyin: Tiāndūchéng), officially Guangsha Tianducheng (Chinese: 广厦天都城; pinyin: Guǎngshà Tiāndūchéng), is a housing estate in Xingqiao Subdistrict, Linping District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China that is modeled after Paris.[1] Once labeled a "ghost city," the estate has undergone significant growth since its early years. Originally planned to house 10,000 residents, its population increased from about 2,000 in 2013 to around 30,000 by 2017. The city has since expanded several times to accommodate rising demand.[2]
History
Construction at Tianducheng began around 2007. Its central feature is 108-metre-tall (354-foot) replica of the Eiffel Tower and 31 km2 (12 sq mi) of Parisian-style architecture, fountains and landscaping. It opened in 2007, and can accommodate more than 10,000 residents.[3] Initial occupancy was low, with an estimated 2,000 people living in the development by 2013,[4] leading some to label it a ghost town.[5] By 2017, its population had grown to 30,000 and the development was expanded several times.[2] It is mostly populated by middle class residents.[2]
Popularity of the site with tourists has waned since its opening, as more Chinese have been able to visit Paris themselves.[6]
The park under the Eiffel Tower replica is undergoing construction into a commercial area, due to finish in 2027.[6]
In popular culture
In 2017, French photographer François Prost visited the neighborhood, finding the buildings and monuments to be "incredibly similar" to their real-life counterparts.[2]
In 2023, Yes Theory visited it and published a YouTube video titled "I Explored China's Failed $1 Billion Copy of Paris (real city)" showing that, while it was less crowded than many other Chinese cities, it certainly wasn't a ghost town.[7]
English musician Jamie xx filmed a music video for his song Gosh in Tianducheng.[8]
