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Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
China's tourist attraction creates fake Mount Fuji, sparks criticism: ‘Low-level parody'
A tourist attraction in northern China is making waves on the Internet for faking Japan's iconic Mount Fuji. It was later revealed that it was nothing more than a hilltop covered in white paint to give the impression of snow on the top. The attraction, Universe Fantasy Land, is located in Hebei province and has gone viral. According to the South China Morning Post, the site charges visitors 98 yuan (Rs 1,138, approximately) for entry, promising an 'enchanting', 'storybook-like escape' from everyday life. Promotional videos for the destination advertised a dreamlike landscape complete with a mountain, a lake, green meadows, a white horse, and a quaint wooden cottage. One particularly dramatic promo video even showed tourists watching artificial pink smoke puffing from the peak, simulating a volcanic eruption from the fake Fuji. But once on-site, visitors were met with a small hill with its summit crudely painted white to resemble snow. Social media users quickly began posting videos and photos of the hill, triggering backlash across platforms. Watch here: There's a fake Mount Fuji at 宇宙思想乐园 (cosmic thought park) in Linqi Valley (林栖谷), Yongqing County (永清县), Langfang (廊坊), Heibei, near Beijing… left video: what you see in promo videos right pics and video: what you actually see there 😂😂😂 — Byron Wan (@Byron_Wan) May 2, 2025 'Low level parody,' a user wrote. 'Everything in China is fake, because the Chinese culture takes great pride in cheating,' another user commented. 'That was clearly the result of some deep thought,' a third user said. According to SCMP, the incident has reignited criticism over Hebei province's trend of building replicas of world-famous landmarks. In the past, the province has made headlines for constructing imitations of the Eiffel Tower, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and even parts of China's own Great Wall, often attracting both amusement and criticism. Last week, a Chinese student was rescued, twice in a week, from Mount Fuji, after he returned to the challenging hike to recover his belongings, including his phone. According to the reports, he was first rescued from the Fujinomiya trail, located about 3,000 meters above sea level on the Shizuoka Prefecture side of the mountain, after getting into difficulty. Authorities had to airlift him to safety.


Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
China paints hilltop white to mimic Japan's Mount Fuji, tourists feel duped after paying ₹1,100 entry fee
A theme park in northern China has sparked national ridicule after attempting to pass off a modest hill as a replica of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji by simply painting its summit white, according to the South China Morning Post. Also read: China zoo painted Chow Chow dogs orange and black to look like tigers, internet appalled Located in Hebei province, the attraction, called Universe Fantasy Land, was designed as a fantasy-themed escape featuring a man-made mountain, scenic lake, green pastures, a white horse, and a quaint wooden cabin. Targeting weary urban dwellers from Beijing, the park promised a fairy-tale getaway just a few hours from the capital. To mimic Mount Fuji, developers sodded the hill last year and painted its peak white. To add to the illusion, weekend "eruptions" of pink artificial smoke are released from the summit. The management, from Linqigu Real Estate Company even refers to the hill as a 'volcano.' But despite the whimsical marketing, many visitors have voiced disappointment after experiencing the underwhelming site firsthand. 'Just a small hill with white paint on its top. It has nothing to do with Mount Fuji,' one tourist remarked. Images posted online reveal a basic staircase and a door carved into the back of the hill. Others who visited were surprised by the steep ticket price of 98 yuan (over ₹1,130 INR), though a discounted rate of 78 yuan is available online. For those hoping to camp, an additional fee of 48 yuan per person applies. 'There is a white horse available for an hour each day for photo ops,' noted one guest. But for many, the experience did not live up to the glossy photos that lured them in. 'Just another instance of how modern individuals are misled by glamorous photographs,' commented another visitor. 'You do not need to pay to capture photos with the real Mount Fuji, yet here you have to pay for the fake one,' quipped another. Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most revered natural landmarks, can be seen freely from nearly half the country's prefectures on a clear day. It famously inspired the classic print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. This is not the first time China has made headlines for constructing replicas of global landmarks. Hebei province alone is home to imitations of the Eiffel Tower, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and even sections of the Great Wall. While the park originally warned of tourist influxes and advised visitors to plan accordingly, staff claim the site has seen steady improvements since opening in September last year. Still, for many, the white-painted hill remains a symbol of misplaced ambition and misguided aesthetics.


Gulf Insider
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Insider
City Walk Jeddah Reopens With New Attractions Until June 14
City Walk, part of Jeddah Season, officially reopened on Wednesday with a range of new attractions. Running until June 14, this year's event features seven themed zones spanning 281,000 sq. m. — Wonder Wall, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Cairo Nights, Black Forest, Adventure Land and The Garden. Each section features games, rides and other family-friendly activities. Salma Al-Harbi, a visitor from Makkah, told Arab News: 'We've been visiting City Walk for the past three years, but this year truly stands out. 'There are so many new attractions, the experience is more affordable, and the waiting times are much shorter. 'My kids especially loved Luca Land where they got to play with different dog breeds. And for the whole family, the horror zone was definitely the highlight.' Another, visitor Yazeed Al-Harbi, said: 'There's a great mix of thrills and relaxation. I didn't expect to enjoy the painting area as much as I did. It's really inclusive and well thought-out.' For those seeking light-hearted fun, Joy Plex offers activities for children with characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Masha and the Bear, and Bluey leading interactive adventures. The nearby Joy Plex-X expands on this with activities such as the Slime Festival, Stumble Guys, and Jelly Zone. 'City Walk is amazing this year, my kids loved the Slime Fest and meeting their favorite cartoon characters in the air-conditioned space, which was a great relief from the hot weather outside,' said Rana Khalid, who came with her children. 'There's so much to do for everyone in the family.' Beyond the rides and characters, the 2025 event includes a number of creative and educational activities. Splash Studio invites guests to paint on the walls, while Navigation Land has air rifle shooting, archery and remote-controlled vehicles. The Birds & Reptiles Cave gives nature lovers a chance to interact with and learn about exotic species through guided tours. City Walk also hosts theatrical shows such as A Thousand and One Nights, Pasha, and Broken World. Beyond the attractions, the event features 77 retail outlets and 65 restaurants and cafes. Oat Chayanin, from Thailand, who is showcasing handmade cotton owls and other products, said: 'I brought a selection of handmade owls from Thailand, along with some medicinal products. 'It's been wonderful to see how excited people in Saudi Arabia are to learn about Thai culture and show such respect for the products. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with customers and learning more about Saudi culture so I can better understand what to bring for future events.' Project manager, Mohammed Fahad, said: 'The horror-themed attractions are a major highlight this year.' 'Experiences like Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach plunge visitors into a chilling maze of terrifying challenges, while Music Hell offers ghostly concerts brought to life by a skeleton band. 'Le Grand Hotel takes guests on a suspense-filled journey through a haunted building, testing their nerves at every turn.'


Arab News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
City Walk Jeddah reopens with new attractions until June 14
JEDDAH: City Walk, part of Jeddah Season, officially reopened on Wednesday with a range of new attractions. Running until June 14, this year's event features seven themed zones spanning 281,000 sq. m. — Wonder Wall, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Cairo Nights, Black Forest, Adventure Land and The Garden. Each section features games, rides and other family-friendly activities. Salma Al-Harbi, a visitor from Makkah, told Arab News: 'We've been visiting City Walk for the past three years, but this year truly stands out. 'There are so many new attractions, the experience is more affordable, and the waiting times are much shorter. 'My kids especially loved Luca Land where they got to play with different dog breeds. And for the whole family, the horror zone was definitely the highlight.' Another, visitor Yazeed Al-Harbi, said: 'There's a great mix of thrills and relaxation. I didn't expect to enjoy the painting area as much as I did. It's really inclusive and well thought-out.' For those seeking light-hearted fun, Joy Plex offers activities for children with characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Masha and the Bear, and Bluey leading interactive adventures. The nearby Joy Plex-X expands on this with activities such as the Slime Festival, Stumble Guys, and Jelly Zone. 'City Walk is amazing this year, my kids loved the Slime Fest and meeting their favorite cartoon characters in the air-conditioned space, which was a great relief from the hot weather outside,' said Rana Khalid, who came with her children. 'There's so much to do for everyone in the family.' Beyond the rides and characters, the 2025 event includes a number of creative and educational activities. Splash Studio invites guests to paint on the walls, while Navigation Land has air rifle shooting, archery and remote-controlled vehicles. The Birds & Reptiles Cave gives nature lovers a chance to interact with and learn about exotic species through guided tours. City Walk also hosts theatrical shows such as A Thousand and One Nights, Pasha, and Broken World. Beyond the attractions, the event features 77 retail outlets and 65 restaurants and cafes. Oat Chayanin, from Thailand, who is showcasing handmade cotton owls and other products, said: 'I brought a selection of handmade owls from Thailand, along with some medicinal products. 'It's been wonderful to see how excited people in Saudi Arabia are to learn about Thai culture and show such respect for the products. 'I'm looking forward to engaging with customers and learning more about Saudi culture so I can better understand what to bring for future events.' Project manager, Mohammed Fahad, said: 'The horror-themed attractions are a major highlight this year.' 'Experiences like Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach plunge visitors into a chilling maze of terrifying challenges, while Music Hell offers ghostly concerts brought to life by a skeleton band. 'Le Grand Hotel takes guests on a suspense-filled journey through a haunted building, testing their nerves at every turn.'