Visitors walk by European-style homes in the Hallstatt development. Reactions to the Chinese replica from Hallstatt residents have been mixed, but an Austrian delegation that included the town's mayor attended the development's opening ceremony.
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Offbeat Traveler: Hallstatt, China’s picturesque Austrian town

Visitors walk by European-style homes in the Hallstatt development. Reactions to the Chinese replica from Hallstatt residents have been mixed, but an Austrian delegation that included the town's mayor attended the development's opening ceremony.

Visitors walk by European-style homes in the Hallstatt development. Reactions to the Chinese replica from Hallstatt residents have been mixed, but an Austrian delegation that included the town’s mayor attended the development’s opening ceremony.  (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

Minmetal's development features a re-creation of the evangelical church that stands by Hallstatt Lake.

Minmetal’s development features a re-creation of the evangelical church that stands by Hallstatt Lake.  (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

Fish swim in a pond on the Hallstatt site.

Fish swim in a pond on the Hallstatt site. (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

Visitors walk through a town square in the Hallstatt look-alike.

Visitors walk through a town square in the Hallstatt look-alike. (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

Two women sit in front of tall and narrow homes typical of Hallstatt.

Two women sit in front of tall and narrow homes typical of Hallstatt.  (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

A residential area inside the Hallstatt development.

A residential area inside the Hallstatt development.  (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

A diorama of the development. Hallstatt isn't the only European destination inspiring Minmetals Land. The company is also working on a 3,352-square-foot Scotland-themed development in southeast China near Hunan.

A diorama of the development. Hallstatt isn’t the only European destination inspiring Minmetals Land. The company is also working on a 3,352-square-foot Scotland-themed development in southeast China near Hunan.  (Vincent Yu / Associated Press)

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