It's not every day that you can see the Eiffel Tower, pyramids of Giza and Great Wall of China before lunch. That is, unless you know where to go …
In the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen, China is found a kitschy, (not so) little attraction known as ‘Window of the World’. This local tourist hotspot has recreated all of the great monuments of the world, except those of China, which are housed down the road at its very own theme park aptly named ‘Splendid China‘. Travelling the world in one day may sound daunting but it does have its benefits. Think of all the money you just saved by not having to actually go anywhere! At least that's what I assume the developers were thinking of when they first built this theme park featuring 130 of the world's greatest sights in Shenzhen's affluent OCT neighbourhood.
Before you even enter the park you can lean up against Pei's glass pyramid, usually to be seen outside the Louvre in Paris. Catch a glimpse of the 354-foot reproduction of the Eiffel Tower in the distance while you buy your tickets. Only the palm trees and oppressive heat will remind you that you didn't just travel to France. As you enter through the gates you will be greeted by a number of ancient Roman columns; a few steps later and you will be trying not to squash the temples of Thailand and castles of Japan.
A tiny emperor and his court sit helplessly in the imperial palace as you, the giant, saunter by. It's true that you should not actually step on the scaled down model, but it sure is fun to think about re-enacting a scene from Godzilla.
The streets of Venice beckon you to duck through the narrow archways of the Doge’s Palace and explore Piazza San Marco. Try not to trip over the bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Grab a souvenir photo in traditional Thai costumes before ending your journey with the Roman Coliseum, unless of course you want to make a full day of it.
There are still the great continent of Africa and the Americas to explore. Who doesn’t want to see the Ivory Gate of Kenya at the same time as Disneyland, Mount Rushmore and the statues of Easter Island in Chile? Go knock on the door of the Taj Mahal and hike through the jungles of India during your visit. Don't forget to stop by Australia's Uluru. It's a lot harder to climb up than you might think. And then there are those iconic pyramids to check out before you go.
You may not get to see all of the wonders the world has to offer in your lifetime, but at least now you know you can visit quite a few of them in a day thanks to the ‘Window of the World’.
Keryn Means is the founder of Walkingon Travels, a site that gives hope to today's modern parent who doesn’t want to stop their lives; they simply bring their kids along for the ride. You can find Keryn dragging her 2 boys around Seattle most days and across the globe several times a year. Follow along on their adventures at @walkingontravel Twitter and on Facebook.
This definitely has the ‘quirky’ factor – bit like a Chinese Las Vegas without the hotels! Nothing beats the real thing but if you can’t get to them then this is a fun way to get a little (very little) idea of what they are like 🙂 Thanks for sharing Keryn.
Thanks so much for letting me share one of our off the beaten path adventures!
Splendid China China Folk Culture Villages Window of the World Shenzhen Happy Valley Da Meisha and Xiao Meisha Scenic Area Fairy Lake Botanical Garden Meridian View Center Minsk World Overseas Chinese Town East Shenzhen Safari Park Xiaomeisha Sea World Xili Lake Resort Shenzhen is a modern financial and commercial metropolis in China; however, it lacks the history and natural beauties which attract visitors to many of the other big cities in China.
In recent years the city has compensated by developing excellent theme parks and man-made scenic spots. These modern facilities have succeeded in drawing in crowds of tourists, eager to check out the contemporary attractions.Window of the World, a theme-park near to Shenzhen Bay, is one of the highlights of Shenzhen. The park displays miniature versions of more than 130 world famous sites, from each of the five continents. Here you are able to visit many of the world’s great landmarks in just one day. Of course, since you are in China, you will also want to explore some of China’s most well-known sites.
Splendid China and China Folk Culture Villages are two special destinations built in Shenzhen to that will introduce you to many interesting aspects of China’s culture and scenery. Splendid China features miniature replicas of splendid Chinese historical sites and charming natural beauties. China Folk Culture Villages will introduce you to the cultures of the many Chinese ethnic groups. Its highlights include life-sized examples of distinctive buildings from each group, as well as rich ethnic performances.
Thanks for taking the time to give more detail of this attraction. It certainly looks a fascinating place to visit.