China is proud of its history, but much of it has been lost to fires, wars, looting, and revolutions. To fill this gap, the country has been building fake historic sites, known as fanggu, or “historical imitation” attractions. These sites offer tourists immersive experiences, complete with traditional costumes, makeup, and photography.

Fanggu Villages

Fanggu villages are entire faux-ancient villages built from scratch, featuring glistening palaces, majestic boulevards, and every detail curated to create an authentic experience. Vines are transplanted in bulk, and tiles are crumbled mechanically to create a grand, albeit sometimes bizarre, fusion of dynastic history, architecture, and geography.

For many domestic travelers frustrated with a stagnant economy, fanggu villages seem to offer the perfect escape. Once there, for an average of just $15, one can choose from hundreds of ready-made traditional costumes known as Hanfu. For another $10, they unlock the full package: makeup, accessories, professional photography, and post-production editing.

Xi'an and Kashgar

Xi'an, which was China's capital for more than a millennium, has built its own “city that never sleeps.” Datang Everbright City is a frenetic revival of the Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty, complete with red pagodas and Chinese EDM. Kashgar, an oasis outpost boasting two millennia of history, has also been rebuilt and now attracts many young foreign travelers.

While some visitors enjoy the immersive experiences offered by China's fanggu destinations, others are frustrated by the curated fantasy. One thing is clear, though — social media loves it.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.