Across China, a unique architectural movement has taken root, inspired by the concept of "duplitecture." This phenomenon involves creating meticulously detailed replicas of famous cities from around the globe, enabling residents to experience international urban landscapes without leaving their home country. Originating from a government initiative in 2001 known as "One City, Nine Towns," these projects aimed to decentralize urban populations while promoting European-style developments. Although many of these towns have earned the moniker "ghost towns" due to their inability to attract large numbers of permanent residents, they remain intriguing destinations for adventurers and those fascinated by urban design. Among the most remarkable examples are Tianducheng’s Paris-inspired Sky City, Thames Town near Shanghai, and a Wyoming-themed community outside Beijing.

Nestled on the outskirts of Hangzhou, Tianducheng boasts its own version of Paris, complete with a scaled-down Eiffel Tower and Haussmannian architecture reminiscent of the Champs-Élysées. Constructed in 2007, this development was envisioned as an exclusive housing estate catering to affluent individuals. However, the anticipated influx of 10,000 residents never materialized, leading to a quieter existence dominated by tourists and couples capturing wedding photos against its picturesque backdrop. Despite its reputation as a ghost town, recent visitors report that life does pulse through its veins during evenings when residents return home after work or school.

In contrast, Thames Town, located just an hour away from Shanghai, offers a quintessentially British atmosphere. Completed in 2006, it features cobblestone streets, Tudor-style homes, red telephone booths, and even statues of iconic figures like Winston Churchill and Harry Potter. Intended as a high-end residential area, it has instead become a popular tourist attraction drawing visitors eager to capture Instagram-worthy moments. While lacking the authentic charm of an English village, Thames Town provides a whimsical escape into a world of replicated charm and nostalgia.

Further north, near Beijing, another astonishing example of duplitecture emerges—a replica of Wyoming’s Jackson Hole region. Conceived in 2004 by developer Liu Xiangshang, this gated community embodies the American Dream through rugged Western aesthetics. Designed by Oregon-based architect Allison Smith, the project grew to encompass 1,500 dwellings featuring stone facades and weathered wood finishes. Key landmarks such as the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Teton Village commercial center have been faithfully recreated, enhancing the illusion of stepping directly into America’s mountainous terrain. Security guards dressed in cowboy attire patrol the premises, adding to the immersive experience for homeowners who primarily use these properties as secondary residences.

Beyond their initial purposes, these replicated cities stand as testaments to human creativity and ambition in urban planning. Whether functioning fully or remaining largely uninhabited, they captivate imaginations worldwide, showcasing how architectural mimicry can transform familiar elements into extraordinary settings. These developments invite us to reconsider what constitutes authenticity in design and whether replication itself might hold value beyond mere imitation.