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The Titanic rises to the surface ... in China, where you will soon be able to visit a "Titanicland"

2021-05-14T17:34:52.791Z


This is obviously a life-size replica of the famous liner which sank in the North Atlantic in 1912. It will be visible in


It will not sink and never see the sea: in the depths of the Chinese countryside, a life-size replica of the Titanic began to emerge from the earth in the middle of the fields, before welcoming tourists in a theme park dedicated to the mythical liner.

In Suining (southwest), four cranes overhang a huge dry dock on the edge of a river.

Yellow protective helmets on their heads, workers are busy around the hull of a giant ship.

Read alsoThe wreck of the Titanic protected from tourists and explorers thanks to an international treaty

The yard is producing a gigantic replica of the Titanic, the infamous ship that sank in the Atlantic over a century ago, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew.

"It's a very complicated project," said Su Shaojun, who was behind the idea, to AFP.

"You build a ship the size of an aircraft carrier" on land, explains Mr. Su in his office, in front of a model of the liner.

Su Shaojun, in front of the replica of the Titanic.

AFP / NOEL CELIS 

In Suining, the nearest sea is more than 1000 kilometers away.

But the entrepreneur is convinced: the curious will still make the trip to visit "Titanicland", its theme park dedicated to the ship.

Project cost: 10 billion yuan (1.2 billion euros).

The inauguration is scheduled for the end of the year.

Like the original, Mr. Su's replica is 260 meters long.

It took six years to build it - twice the real Titanic - with around 100 workers and 23,000 tons of steel.

The story of the Titanic also fascinates in China

Everything from the dining room to the luxury cabins and even the door handles is inspired by the original.

And for the sake of realism, a real steam engine will give visitors the impression of actually being at sea. "Experts and historians of the Titanic have validated the construction plans," says Mr. Su.

Price of a night of real-fake cruise: 2000 yuan approximately (256 euros).

For a total change of scenery, tourists will cross the park in a minibus, with the unmissable “My heart will go on” by Céline Dion in the background, soundtrack to the film “Titanic” with Leonardo Di Caprio.

VIDEO.

The trailer for the film "Titanic"

The film was a huge hit in China when it was released in 1997. The world's most famous ship recently made headlines again in the country with the release of an unreleased documentary that revealed the stories of six survivors. Chinese shipwreck. Despite the Chinese interest in this ship, some nevertheless question the viability of the replica. A few years ago, a replica of an American aircraft carrier that had cost 15 million euros to build was abandoned shortly after its inauguration. Mr. Su is betting on 2 to 5 million tourists per year. And the entrepreneur is counting on a little help. "For the inauguration ceremony, we would like to invite Jack, Rose

(Editor's note: the main characters of the film)

and James Cameron", the director, smiles Mr. Su.

Departing on April 10, 1912 from Southampton (southern United Kingdom) to reach New York, the Titanic was wrecked after hitting an iceberg off the coast of Canada. The Titanic was in its day the largest cruise ship ever built. Supposed to be unsinkable, it remains synonymous with the greatest disaster in maritime history. The wreckage of the ship, which was not discovered until 1985, lies at a depth of 4000 meters.

Source: leparis

All life articles on 2021-05-14

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