Titanic 2.0: Replica of the Famous Boat Being Built in China

Have you ever wondered what the Titanic looked like in real life? For those unsatisfied with the pictures and films, a closer experience will be available soon. A theme park in China is currently building a massive replica of the Titanic so the public can enjoy a realistic representation of the famous ship.

Su Shaojun, a Chinese investor, is a huge fan of the vessel and the film. Several years ago, he announced he would finance a life-size replica of the ship to keep the memories alive.

The replica, called the “Unsinkable Titanic”, will be 269 meters in length and 28 meters wide, mimicking the exact size of the original Titanic. Made with 23,000 tons of steel, the construction of the ship has cost $153.5 million.

Everything in the imitation is supposed to copy the real vessel, from cabins to door handles, to ensure a truthful experience. Banquet halls, theaters, observation decks, a swimming pool, and other amenities will also be identical. According to Su, the functioning steam engine will make the guests feel like they are crossing the sea, but the ship will be docked in a river.

Although fans await the building of the attraction, not everyone is excited about the replica. The project has been deeply criticized in the past by some who say the idea is insensitive. Lots of people are against turning the tragedy that took away many lives into an amusement park attraction. In a meeting with the British Titanic Society, some members agreed and told Su the project was in poor taste.

However, the investor sees the replica as an opportunity to remember the Titanic and to keep its story alive. Project manager Xu Junnian said he felt it was important to preserve the vessel’s memory. He commented that “The greatest significance of building this ship is to carry forward and inherit the great spirit of Titanic.”

Bibliography

Cripps, K. (2021, May 18) Titanic replica now under construction in China. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/titanic-replica-china/index.html

Hucal, S. (2021, May 17) China is building a replica of the Titanic. Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/china-is-building-a-replica-of-the-titanic/a-57532044

AFP (2021, May 14) Huge Titanic replica to open in China. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1858601/business-economy