Wholesale Importation

The Chinese are constructing a copy of the entire city of Hallstatt, Austria. The project:

 

"...will replicate absolutely everything, not only the buildings. Every detail, statue and doorknob will be replicated."

 

Interesting, but I'd have to wonder why...I'm sure it's an amazing city, but copying something amazing doesn't often produce a thing as amazing as the original (think Las Vegas). Place and setting surely count for something. And, of course, the people and the local food, etc.

 

And China has beauty of its own, in spades. I much prefer it when a culture stays true to its roots and doesn't try to import wholesale the culture of another place. Just seems weird to me.