About 30 minutes outside of Shenzhen there exists a rather odd place called Overseas Chinese Town East. Developed as a domestic tourism resort it encompasses nature reserves, a golf course, amusement park, tea gardens, and get this - a 1:1 reproduction of Interlaken, Switzerland. It was quite weird to see the Chinese impression of Europe embodied by this park. Also, what was with the bagpipe players in a supposed Swiss town? :)
Other highlights included; a huge outdoor spa with 'flavoured' pools of fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, red wine, coffee, lavender, and tea; an Aztec-themed amusement park (which was closed); a huge cable car ride; and luxury hotels with various fantasy and futuristic themes.
It was a wonderful 2-day trip, made affordable through online travel agencies (4-star hotels start from US$1000+/night if you just show up). Despite that sticker shock the place is quite accessible - we got there through public transit (and were probably in the minority there), and there are more affordable options for camping, and group lodging. Entry ticket fees were also modest - so this was not a place just for the 'elite' of China.
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