A TIKTOKER has revealed how she visited the most iconic Greek island 4,400 miles away – in China.
Yasmin von Roon, 27, was left stunned when she discovered the resort of Dali’s Ideal State – an exact replica of Instagram-favourite Santorini.
Sprawling across 3700 acres on the side of the Cangshan mountain range, the popular resort oversees the lake Erhai – almost like the picturesque Oia.
The resort – dubbed “fake Santorini” – has copied the island’s iconic whitewashed cobblestone alleyways and blue windows.
The Dali boasts clear skies and a laid-back vibe while visitors can enjoy an icy frappe in the sun – just like in Greece.
It might be missing the Aegean, the volcano and the world-known Santorini sunset but otherwise, the Chinese version bears great resemblance to the original one.
The sunny Greek island is a particularly popular wedding destination for Chinese couples – which could be why nearly £1billion was spent to recreate its copy in the Yunnan province.
Italian-German content creator Yasmin von Roon, 27, stumbled upon the unique spot while solo travelling.
The content creator told The Sun she first saw photos of the area circulating on Chinese social media.
She said: “Being nearby the beautiful Dali old town, I couldn’t resist seeing it with my own eyes!”
The Dali has become a popular tourist resort – especially for those who cannot afford the pricey authentic- and has various hotels, shops and restaurants that bear a resemblance to the Greek ones.
The TikToker who’s studying International Affairs and Global Governance at Zhejiang University in China reckons that while the replica is quite convincing nothing could be compared to the original.
She added: “Having visited Greece several times, including Santorini, I can appreciate the allure of the Chinese replica.”
Credit: @official_yasmin
Credit: @official_yasmin
“It’s situated in one of China’s most picturesque locations, and the ambience, complete with sipping frappés, exudes a laid-back vibe reminiscent of Greece.”
“There were couple doing their wedding pictures there, just like in the authentic Santorini.”
“While the setting is stunning, the essence of Greece is irreplaceable.”
“While the replica showcases the visual aspects well, such as the architecture and coastal setting, the cultural and historical depth of the original is unmatched.”
She said she sees Dali as a “gesture of admiration and an opportunity for those who cannot travel abroad to experience a taste of Greece.”
Chines media described Dali as a “resort town features beautiful landscapes and Santorini-style buildings, attracting many couples to take wedding photos.”
China’s copies of Western towns
THE pretty Greek island is not the only copy of a Western location China has.
- Sky City or Tianducheng, has been designed to look like Paris – and it’s complete with its own Eifel Tower.
- Overseas Chinese Town East (OCT) is built near a manmade lake and it has been modelled after Interlaken in Switzerland.
- The Chinese Florence is called Tianjin and has fountains, canals, and mosaics – just like the Italian original.
- A perfect copy of London’s iconic Tower Bridge exists in China’s Suzhou
- Guangdong boasts wooden European-style houses and it’s inspired by Hallstatt, Austria
- A Chinese version of Manhattan, Tianjin has its own Rockefeller Centre and Twin Towers
- Thames Town is designed based on the area around the Thames and has Victorian terraces and red phone booths
- Ghost town Pudong is modelled after Amsterdam
- The port city of Dalian is a perfect replica of Venice – and even has goldoliers dressed in Venetian costumes
- Leafy Luodian New Town is inspired by Sweden’s LakeMälaren
Credit: @official_yasmin
Credit: Instagram/ywj_nyc
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