Chinese Archimage Phenomena

As the Olympics approaches, I always found more and more interesting things by regular Chinese. Here is another story. Some farmers in Shuangxi, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, made a bamboo Bird's Nest of the scale 1:20, which took them half a month and spent almost a thousand pieces of Mao zhu, the local bamboo. [via pclady ] Also, a friend of mine recommends a bar at Fuxing Park, downtown Shanghai, which has a kind of Water Cube façade, esp. at night. [Courtesy of CAIP]

Lu Shan, Henan Province, 153M (built in 2002-2005) Nan Shan, Hainan Province, 108M (2005) Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 88M (1997) Foshan, Guangdong Province, 61.9M Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, 48M (2006) Panyu, Guangdong Province, 40.88M (1994) Yantai, Shandong Province, 38.66M (2004) Putuo Shan, Zhejiang Province, 33M (1997) Hong Kong, 26.4M (1993) Weihai, Shandong Province Jiuhua Shan, Anhui, 99M (to be built) Xinzhu, Taiwan, 72M (2006) [images via 剑倚芙蓉的BLOG & 17U & lunqun & xiutie ]

The are physical versions of the famous Chinese painting " Along the River During the Qingming Festival " in Kaifeng (Henan Province) and Hengdian World Studio (Zhejiang Province) now. The original long scroll painting was painted by Zhang Zeduan (early 12th Century), Song Dynasty, depicting the life and market of the ancient city Kaifeng, then there were many other versions in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Zhang Zeduan, "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", early 12th Century The park of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", Kaifeng, Henan Province "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", Hengdian World Studio, Zhejiang Province It seems there are competitions between Kaifeng and Hengdian, like many versions of the scroll paintings. The one in Kaifeng launched in 1998, 2nd phase in 2005, and 3rd phase coming soon; the one in Hengdian was in use since 1998 as well. The one in Kaifeng has about 600 acres in land, 180 acre...

This governmental building is in Yingquan District of Fuyang, Anhui Province安徽阜阳颍泉区, which costs tens of million Chinese Yuan. It is "Western-style". The average annual income of local people is 2000 Yuan. A very interesting thing is that the Chinese always misunderstands that Capitol as White House . If you check it around, you will never find such description that "Capitol-like" buildings, but always "Whitehouse-like", which are very different basically. However, few Chinese notices it at all. [source Xinhuanet & google image ]

Not surprisingly, another famous building is copied in China.  Sina  reports that the " First " Eiffel Tower in Tianducheng Residential District in Lipingxingqiao Town of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province will be completed the construction later October 2007. The scale is 1:3 as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The tower is divided for 8 sections, each of which has eight-seeing platforms with the connection by tilted elevators. The tower is 108 meters high. "Then, the landmark of the French stylish small town, with the combination of tourism and residency, will erected in North Hangzhou." [source  Sina China ]

Forbidden City, Beijing Forbidden City, Hengdian World Studio , Zhejiang Province (the mountains are kind of a giveaway) Another view of the Forbidden City, Beijing and the ersatz Forbidden City, Hengdian World Studio , Zhejiang Province " NPR reports: In just 10 years, Hengdian [World Studio] has transformed itself from a poverty-stricken farming village to a collection of replica palaces, temples and historical streets, open to film crews, often for free ." "These aren't just replicas, they're full-size reproductions. It's an amazing and terrifying verisimilitude. Even more so because China's very real history is being projected onto the structures themselves -- really just facades and empty shells -- outside the context of the in-film world. In China - where old buildings are torn down in the blink of an eye - many visitors say they haven't come for the movie glamour, but to learn about their country's past - from the fake buildings ....

This is the Courthouse in the Town Yuhuan, Zhejiang Province, which could be referenced from many neo-classic buildings. Below is The Arkansas State Capitol Building, built in 1899-1915. [source abbs and wiki ]