More than 100 years after the Titanic sank in the Chinese province of Sichuan, a copy of the legendary ship has been created. It is set to become a theme park, attracting between two and five million tourists each year.
The initiator and principal investor of the project, Su Shaojun, was inspired to recreate the liner by James Cameron’s blockbuster Hollywood blockbuster. Titanic, after its premiere in 1997, enjoyed great popularity in China.
– I wanted to build a tourist center, but I didn’t want to copy another (…). I would like to create a center of cultural depth,” Sue explained in an interview with US radio station NPR.
A copy of the Titanic in China
The Chinese Titanic is being built near the city of Daying. It will be 269 meters long, 28 meters wide and 3,000 square metres. tons of steel. However, the ship will not be able to swim. It will remain on the beach as the focal point and major tourist attraction of Sichuan Amusement Park.
The replica is supposed to be an accurate representation of the Titanic – from the sumptuous interiors to the dinner menu.
Foot. Noel Seles / Agence France-Presse / Eastern News
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At first, Sue announced that in the “new” Titanic it would be possible to simulate an “iceberg hit” and experience the feeling of being on a sinking ship. After criticism from relatives of survivors, the idea was finally abandoned.
The project to create a copy of the legendary ship lasted for several years and was initially announced for completion in 2017. Work was suspended for some time due to financial disputes, but in April, the project’s Facebook page said construction of the ninth floor of the building was underway.
Foot. Noel Seles / Agence France-Presse / Eastern News
However, the construction of the Chinese Titanic will not be cheap. The media estimated the value of the project at 1.1 billion yuan, equivalent to nearly 160 million dollars. According to Su, these costs will be offset by ticket sales.
It will attract tourists from all over the world. We estimate the number of visitors to be between two and five million per year. This tourism movement must ensure the return of our investments – he said in a video clip published by AFP. He added that the person who designed China’s Disneyland “came to the construction site and said, ‘We will have more visitors than them’.”
The real Titanic sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from Great Britain to the United States. The expedition on the largest passenger ship of the time, which was later hailed as “unsinkable”, cost the lives of more than 1,500 people.
See also: The Great Wall of China: When was it built and can it be seen from space? 8 facts and myths
Source: PAP
