The Chinese word used to describe a “knock-off” or “counterfeit” item is 山寨 (shānzhài), but in China it doesn’t have the same connotations that those two words have in the West. Like its original definition of “fortified mountain stronghold”, shanzhai embodies a sense of worth – all provided at a reasonable price, of course.
With this in mind, the wholesale counterfeiting of Western culture continues to grow in China not just by size, but scope. We’ve recently told you about a Shenzhen financial company that operated for years using the name “Goldman Sachs” despite having no connection whatsoever with the famous New York-based investment bank.
However, the size and scope of counterfeiting in China has taken another step forward as a Hebei-based developer in Shijiazhuang has copied the famous Louvre Pyramid to serve as a neighbor to a 1:1 replica of the famous Egyptian Sphinx.
The Sphinx replica was made in May last year, and drew protests from Egyptian culture officials. A spokesperson for the Shijiazhuang Great Wall Film and Television Base, the administrators of the site, explained at the time that the Chinese Sphinx replica is nothing to get upset over:
This venerable (version) of the Sphinx is used as a temporary backdrop for shooting films and TV. After the shoot is completed, it will be torn down.
A year and a half later, a pyramid has been built to compliment the reinforced concrete-Sphinx. But not just any pyramid. Instead, for their version of a shanzhai international landmark, they chose the famous 1989 Louvre addition designed by Chinese architect I.M. Pei.
But for what has been called “temporary movie prop”, this shanzhai Sphinx is attracting many Chinese tourists willing to pay for the privilege of seeing a little piece of Egyptian culture in their home country. After causing a sensation online, the well-known Chinese shanzhai attraction started charging RMB 10 ($1.57) admission at around Spring Festival this year, and another RMB 10 for entry inside the replica Sphinx, a feature not available at the real Sphinx in Egypt.
And to show how popular shanzhai attractions are in China, this Sphinx replica is not same Sphinx replica we had told you about before, located south in Anhui Province.
There’s worth to be had in experiencing the world’s famous landmarks in one convenient place, albeit without the context of being in the presence of the last remaining Seven Wonder of the Ancient World, or being in front of a 200 year-old museum containing the world’s greatest art collection.
The value in bringing the world to your doorstep also goes for domestic tourist attractions as well. While Chinese headlines have focused on the shanzhai Louvre Pyramid addition, the Shijiazhuang developer is also developing a shanzhai version of the Temple of Heaven, a historical attraction located nearby in Beijing. This way, Chinese tourists can get the best value by experiencing French, Egyptian, and Chinese culture all at once, signifying a great place to have your selfies and group photos taken.
