Before British photographer Luke Casey settled in Hong Kong, he spent 3 1/2 months traveling by boat. It was only later that he realized how much faster he could see the world — sort of — by visiting one theme park in nearby Shenzhen.
Window of the World features incredibly detailed reproductions of 130 major tourist attractions, some life-size and some much smaller, squeezed into 118 acres.
Created in 1994, the park has become a popular destination in itself.
“I have always found tourist destinations interesting in that for the majority of visitors, it is simply about getting your photo with that landmark, buying a souvenir and then getting back on the bus,” Casey told Business Insider. “Why visit those places for real when you can get all those photos and souvenirs in one place?”
There are approximately 150 replicas of world sights in Window Of The World. Here you can see Basilica Di San Marco in the park’s replica of Venice’s Piazza San Marco.
Luke Casey
Part of the allure is seeing all of the landmarks in one place. Here you can see the riverside view of Piazza San Marco, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Luke Casey
At 354 feet, the park’s version of the Eiffel Tower is one-third the size of the real thing.
Luke Casey
When Casey stood under the real Eiffel Tower, it was filled with tourists. He described visiting China’s replica as “eerie.” “There were only a few scattered individuals. It felt slightly post-apocalyptic,” said Casey.
Luke Casey
The theme park is divided into eight areas that cover all of the major continents. The landmarks from Oceania include the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Ayer’s Rock, and the Sydney Opera house (seen here).
Luke Casey
The Netherlands section features a typical Dutch landscape, with a windmill and tulips.
Luke Casey
Here you can see the wall and clock-tower of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
Luke Casey
Traveling the 119-acre park by foot can be tiring, so the park provides cars for the visitors.
Luke Casey
The Pyramids of Giza look convincingly real from a distance, says Casey.
Luke Casey
This replica of Egypt’s Abu Simpel Temples may be detailed, but it doesn’t convey that the originals are in desert areas.
Luke Casey
You can even go inside the pyramids and see other fake Egyptian relics.
Luke Casey
Casey says many visitors come to buy souvenirs from around the world. He finds that ironic because Shenzhen, as a major manufacturing hub, produces a large percentage of the world’s souvenirs that are then shipped to the landmarks that the park is replicating.
Luke Casey
The park’s replica of Manhattan hasn’t changed the skyline to reflect 9/11.
Luke Casey
This replica of Taj Majal is impressive, but the illusion cracks when you get closer. Casey says the paint on many of the landmarks is chipping away.
Luke Casey
This is a replica of the Temple of The Emerald Buddha at the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
Luke Casey
London’s Tower Bridge spans over a small pond in the theme park.
Luke Casey
The skyline of Shenzhen is easily seen behind a replica of Japan’s Mount Fuji.
Luke Casey
In the America section, the White House can be seen in close proximity to Mount Rushmore.
Luke Casey
Much of the Americas section also includes natural landmarks like the Grand Canyon (where visitors can ride down the Colorado River) and Niagara Falls (seen here).
Luke Casey
This log flume that goes through American National Park-themed areas was out of order when Casey visited. There is also an indoor roller coaster and an indoor alpine ski area.
Luke Casey
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