If you can’t go to see the world, let the world come to you. That may as well be the motto of the Beijing World Park, where visitors come to admire 100 miniature versions of the planet’s most famous landmarks.
While China’s economy is booming and investors from all over the world are rushing in, many locals still find it challenging to overcome some communist restrictions. Travelling abroad, for example, may become a mission impossible for most. However, with foreign media and the internet, it is a major draw for them to see places like the Great Pyramids or Giza, the Taj Mahal, the Tower Bridge or Manhattan. The solution came soon after the news of the outside world – The World Park was first opened in 1993 and remains an appealing attraction, luring 1.5 million visitors each year on average.
The World Park is situated approximately 17 km far from downtown Beijing and was created to bring the world’s most famous landmarks to China. Their miniature versions were built with utmost resemblance. To achieve the best results, even materials used were miniature versions of the originals. And today, 50 countries are represented in this miniature world of wonders.
The park covers an impressive area of 46.7 ha and is divided into several areas: Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Latin America. To make exploration fun and easy, visitors may comfortably ride around in battery-operated cars and enjoy the views. The Pyramids of Giza, French Notre Dame Cathedral, India’s Taj Mahal, Italian Leaning Tower of Pisa, a Netherlands Windmill, or the Statue of Liberty are only a few examples. There is a rich cultural program all year round, featuring anything from concerts to folklore dances, cooking shows and souvenirs from all over the world.