Hallstatt made in China

In April 2009, rumours had reached the historic village of Hallstatt that a Chinese property development company is working on its complete reconstruction back in China. At that time, its inhabitants were not amused by such plans, and Mayor Alexander Scheutz had complained to UNESCO. The differences of opinion have evidently been solved for the opening of its Chinese twin.

Alpine Idyll, Made in China, 2 June

by Sueddeutsche.de

In China, the well-known Austrian mountain village Hallstatt does not only exist in miniature form, but also as complete reconstruction: On Saturday [2 June], Hallstatt See [Hallstatt Lake] was finally opened to the public in the south of China. The construction and real estate company Minmetals Land had the small Austrian village rebuilt in the subtropical province Guangdong, including its characteristic church tower, the main square with its pastel-coloured houses and statues of angels. Even the gold fish in the fountain feel at home here, like in Austria.

Also the surroundings of the replica village were created as an alpine idyll with attention to detail. Hallstatt See, therefore, is not only a Chinese tourist attraction, but also a residential area for wealthy Chinese. The UNESCO had declared the original Upper Austrian Hallstatt world heritage. [...] Hallstatt Mayor Alexander Scheutz, while signing an agreement of cultural exchange, declared he was "very proud" that his village was reconstructed in China.