06 Julai 2012

Tower about that? Chinese city builds its own version of the world-famous London landmark

China is well known for leading the world in exporting goods, but these pictures of its very own Tower Bridge show the country is not adverse to importing a historical monument or two.

To the untrained eye, visitors to Suzhou in the east of China may well believe they have ended up 9,000km away by mistake.

The city in the Jiangsu province now boasts its very own - almost identical - version of London's most iconic bridge.

The cloned Tower Bridge in Suzhou in China's Jiangsu province, is an almost identical version of London's landmark

The cloned Tower Bridge in Suzhou in China's Jiangsu province, is an almost identical version of London's landmark

As if that's not enough to stave off homesickness for English visitors, the reproduction of the bridge also boasts a cafe at the top promising 'English-style coffee'.

All that differs between the two replicas is that the Chinese version lacks a raising mechanism to allow boats to pass underneath.

The top floor of the building boasts a cafe promising 'English-style coffee' to guests

The top floor of the building boasts a cafe promising 'English-style coffee' to guests

Unlike the version spanning the Thames, the replica Tower Bridge lacks a raising mechanism

Unlike the version spanning the Thames, the replica Tower Bridge lacks a raising mechanism

And, of course, during the Olympics this summer, it also won't boast the five rings currently adorning the version that spans the River Thames.

London is not the only city to have inspired builders in Suzhou, though.

Sitting about 200 miles north-west of Shanghai, the area has become well known for cloning other world-famous landmarks.

The river through the city also has its own Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as a copy-cat Alexandre III Bridge straight out of the French capital, Paris.

English, Dutch and French visitors to Suzhou can all feel at home in the city thanks to its replica landmarks

English, Dutch and French visitors to Suzhou can all feel at home in the city thanks to its replica landmarks

As well as being inspired by London's landmark, the city also boasts its own Sydney Harbour Bridge

As well as being inspired by London's landmark, the city also boasts its own Sydney Harbour Bridge

The original Tower Bridge, complete with Olympic rings, which will be illuminated every night during the Games

The original Tower Bridge, complete with Olympic rings, which will be illuminated every night during the Games

On top of that, the area boasts a Dutch town complete with windmill and Dutch-style housing.

Suzhou is often dubbed the 'Venice of the East' and has been an important hub of China's silk industry for around a thousand years.

The original Tower Bridge dates back to 1896 when it was the only crossing point over the river Thames.

A colossal 11,000 tonnes of steel help provide the framework to the tower which, at the time it was built, was the product of 432 working over an eight year period.

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