A Chinese ‘ghost town’ once hailed as a ‘model city in the history of human development’ has fallen short of expectations, with a local resident describing it as ‘boring’. Xiong’an, a £70 billion city in Hebei province, was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2017 and was envisioned to be futuristic with advanced technology. However, one resident revealed to the Times that there is a lack of social life and opportunities for leisure in the city. The city, designed to house around five million residents, has been criticised for its lack of vibrancy despite the massive investment.
President Jinping, nonetheless, remains hopeful for Xiong’an and is striving to attract investors to realise the city’s potential. The city’s population is reported to be 1.2 million, including residents from three merged neighbouring counties. The construction of a £3 billion tunnel, set to be the world’s longest upon completion in 2031, underlines China’s commitment to groundbreaking infrastructure. The tunnel, named Tianshan Shengli, is expected to significantly reduce travel time, benefiting trade and economic growth in Xinjiang.
In a separate development, a tourist highlighted some shortcomings in China’s £500 million “fake British town”, Thames Town. The town, built in 2006 near Shanghai, aims to replicate British architecture and lifestyle. However, the tourist noted some inconsistencies, such as the absence of British goods in shops, detracting from the authenticity of the experience.
Xiong’an and Thames Town’s contrasting experiences serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in creating new urban developments and replicating foreign cultures. While ambitious projects may boast state-of-the-art infrastructure and design, the human element of community engagement and cultural authenticity remains crucial for the success of such ventures. In the case of Xiong’an, addressing the residents’ feedback on social life and leisure opportunities could be a key factor in transforming the city into a vibrant and sustainable community.