Parveen MagheraWe all know how globalisation is at its peak in the 21st century, with the global North and South influencing the cultures of one another. While restaurants and teahouses often try their best to bring in the vibes of a foreign continent, Asia’s doing it big with European replicas of villages and town as well as theme parks and farms — just to offer locals and Asian travellers a dose of Europe when the continent is just too far to travel to!
1. Provence Village – Paju, South Korea
Image credit: ทริปเล็กๆ In Korea
Image credit: ทริปเล็กๆ In Korea
Go gaga in this quaint little town in Paju that boasts pastel-hued shophouses, amidst enchanting gardens and fountains. The most famous thing here? The artisan European bakeries that sell top-notch bread, cookies and cakes all freshly baked using natural ingredients. Make the flavourful garlic bread your go-to option if you’re too spoilt for choice!
Aside from the array of alluring cafes and eateries, saunter around and explore the numerous art studios and handicraft shops. Purchase a memento from one of the specialty ceramic stores to commemorate this novel visit. Not quite your usual depiction of South Korea right?
2. Ba Na Hills – Da Nang, Vietnam
Image credit: Mercure Bana Hills French Village
Image credit: Mercure Bana Hills French Village
A touch of France in Central Vietnam? This charming mountain village looks like it was cropped directly out of the French countryside. As you embark on a gentle stroll, you’ll find how apparent classical French architecture is throughout the buildings, houses, eateries, churches and gardens, atop Truong Son Mountain. A true-blue French vacation awaits as you wander around, amidst the cool temperatures, and soak in the picturesque panoramas.
To arrive at this sensational place, you’ll need to ride the world’s longest (and highest!) cable car some 1,487m above ground. The clouds of mist and mountain silhouettes makes the journey equally magical and uber-gorgeous. Words cannot aptly convey how sublime this place it; you’ll need to visit this must-see destination to believe it!
3. Santorini Park and Swiss Sheep Farm – Cha-Am, Thailand
Image credit: Santorini Park
Image credit: ratta benmart
If the Dutch theme park didn’t quite give you your European fix in Asia, the Santorini Park in Cha Am, about a two- to three-hour drive away from Bangkok, can be your next go-to place! The amusement park offers a combination of white washed buildings of Greece’s Santorini with a dash of vibrant colours such as blue and green. While the park may not be huge, the small alleyways offer a labyrinth effect, enticing you explore every corner. The walls offer a mini surprise of cute art, adding on more colourful hue to Santorini’s peaceful white, and the pebble-printed flooring and floral staircase designs give an added European edge to the park.
Image credit: Swiss Sheep Farm
Just opposite the park is the beautiful Swiss Sheep Farm that resembles the likes of a European countryside with scenic meadows, hay stacks, wooden cottages and not forgetting the adorable sheep themselves. The children will love it!
4. Petite France – Gyeonggi, South Korea
Image credit: Tan 88
Image credit: Eastasy Official
Set in a Korean countryside, Petite France is a French cultural village that houses 16 French-inspired buildings with 34 guestrooms catered to visitors who wish to stay and experience the French household culture. The French architecture offers a colourful splash of vibrancy, topped with pretty flowers, neat bushes and a romantic French neighbourhood feel.
In fact, several Korean dramas have been shot here, such as Beethoven Virus and Secret Garden, as well as reality programme Running Man!
Also read: La Petite Venise: The Little Venice of Colmar, France
5. Chocolate Ville – Bangkok, Thailand
Image credit: Chocolate Ville
Image credit: Chocolate Ville
Designed to resemble an old European village, Bangkok’s Chocolate Ville, or Chocoville in short, is a place to adore. The elegant lighthouse and cosy gazebos offer a splash of warm white against the pastel colours of the European-styled shops and cottages. One cannot miss the subtle European accents fitted in every corner of the villa, such as the stone-lined rigged walkways, vintage cast iron lamp posts, and old-school automobiles, not forgetting the blissful view of the greenery with pockets of multi-coloured flowers.
Its “Dining in the Park” concept is perfect for any visitor who prefers enjoying his meal in the open natural European space to being confined in a restaurant. Well, sometimes, European-styled restaurant décor doesn’t do the trick.
For food, they’re ready to serve you with anything European, from fish and chips to seared foie gras, and if you taste buds yearn for something Asian, their Thai and Chinese menu will be an alternate option. Don’t worry about drinks too – they’ve got plenty of wines, beers, sodas, shakes and juices!
6. Edelweiss Swiss – Gapyeong, South Korea
Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization
Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization
Nestled in Gapyeong, this Swiss-themed village can be mistaken to be a carbon copy of some of Switzerland’s iconic towns. With distinct trademarks such as the cuddly Bern bear, nutcrackers and the Swiss cross, you might really think you’re in the land of the Alps. This village is a chocolate and cheese paradise, where visitors can delight in a tantalising selection of fine chocolates and exquisite cheese produce. Hint: For “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” vibes, The Swiss Chocolate Museum should definitely be your first pit-stop!
If you’ve been yearning for postcard-worthy views, look no further. Surrounded by staggering mountain peaks, vibrant flower-laden paths and lush greenery all around, this backdrop makes for every photographer’s dream.
7. Venetian Macao – Macau, China
Image credit: Christian Junker
Image credit: vikitty Sai
The world’s largest casino-hotel complex has the size equivalent to 56 football fields – large enough to park about 100 Boeing 747 jumbo jets! The Venetian Macao is evidently modelled after the beautiful architecture, enchanting canals and luxurious aura of Venice, Italy. The serenading gondoliers on the 51 gondolas can be seen plying the crystal clear waters of the three indoor canals and outdoor lagoon, transporting you to a European escapade.
The hotel is equipped with 3,000 luxurious suites of at least 750 square feet, while its casino is lavishly packed with 3,400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables. And how can we miss out on the shopping? The Grand Canal Shoppes, spanning a 1.6 million square feet, boasts over 350 brand names, topped with more than 30 international cuisine restaurants.
8. Huis Ten Bosch – Nagasaki, Japan
Image credit: Shibuya246
Image credit: Shibuya246
Now for some Dutch? A theme park that recreates the Netherlands is one attractive spot indeed! Named after one of the residences of the Dutch Royal Family, Huis Ten Bosch infuses European elements into every corner – from its gorgeous canals and iconic windmills to the Dutch-inspired hotels that surround the park, while not forgetting the glorious flower-laden gardens and mind-blowing architecture.
The theme park boasts replicas of various European architectural wonders such as the Ferris Wheel, mirror maze as well as the Domtoren of Utrecht where visitors can take in panoramic views from its observation deck. Visitors can also relish in French cuisine in any of the restaurants or choose to tour the canals on a leisure boat.
9. Austrian Town Hallstatt – Huizhou, China
Image credit: Inhabitat
Image credit: Ars Electronica
A copycat of a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village of Hallstatt nestled in Huizhou is the world’s first cloned village.
This replica of village of Salzkammergut, Austria, houses carbon copies of almost everything, such as the pastel cottages and even a 900-year-old clock. Despite several Hallstatt residents showing discomfort towards the Chinese replica, the residential area contributed a boom to the Chinese tourism industry.
10. Swiss Alps – Khajjiar, India
Image credit: Srinivasan G
Bearing a topographical resemblance of Switzerland, Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh is a hill station located on a small plateau surrounded by the lush green of meadows and forests. After being bestowed with the title “Mini Switzerland” by the Vice Counsellor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland, Mr Will T Blazer, Khajjiar was placed on the world tourism map.
Consume the tranquillity of the mountains by trekking or riding on the horses – though many have said the European culture may not be evident there, perhaps all you need to do is to block off everyone and lie on the grassy fields all by yourself.
Also read: Swiss Bucket List: Switzerland Destinations with Best Views
11. French Village – Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia
Image credit: LINCOLNOSE2R
Bukit Tinggi comprises a collection of replica buildings from a French village that dates back to the 16th century. The French accents from its clock tower and the curvy concrete staircases extends to the French-themed hotel with its bright multi-coloured roof tiles and cobblestone ground. For a taste of the European country, authentic French food can be found from the several sidewalk café and restaurants!
12. Thames Town – Shanghai, China
Image credit: ThalesEGO
Image credit: Jens Schott Knudsen
China’s been rolling high with the Europeans, hasn’t she? Previously it was an Austrian town, now it’s an English town. Thames Town, an upper-class residential area, is a replica of the London streets, with the iconic red telephone booth, as well as statues of luminaries such as Winston Churchill and William Shakespeare.
But Thames Town ain’t the only high-end replica town – Shanghai’s built a Spanish Town and Holland Town, among many others. These towns are, however, ghost towns because not many can afford to live there but plenty of couples come down to take their wedding photos. Now you know where to head to for your Instagram worthy picture!
So who says you can’t experience Europe in Asia? Bet you’re convinced now.
