An extraordinary British village, complete with cobbled streets and red telephone boxes, has been constructed over 5,000 miles from the UK on the outskirts of Shanghai. Known as Thames Town, the development cost a reported £530 million and forms a surreal slice of England in China's Songjiang District.
From Blueprint to 'Ghost Town' to Wedding Hotspot
Thames Town was conceived as part of the ambitious 'One City, Nine Towns' plan announced in 2001, designed to alleviate overpopulation in central Shanghai by creating satellite communities each with distinct international architectural themes. While other towns took inspiration from German, Dutch, and Spanish styles, Thames Town was modelled on a classic English market town.
The town features Victorian and Georgian-style terraced houses, corner shops, pedestrianised streets, and even a church modelled on Christ Church in Clifton, Bristol. Authentic touches include a fish and chip shop, a Costa Coffee replica, and iconic red phone boxes.
Initially, the project faced challenges. With properties originally priced around £400,000 and often bought as investments, many homes remained empty, leading to its label as a 'ghost town'. However, its fate has shifted dramatically. Thames Town has now found a vibrant niche as a hugely popular destination for Chinese couples seeking a picturesque, authentically British backdrop for their wedding photographs.
A Brit's Perspective: 'It Feels Like Home'
YouTuber Ben Morris, who visited the town, described an uncanny feeling of familiarity. "I am from the UK... and I feel as though I could be in the UK right now," he said, noting the Chinese number plates as the main giveaway. He even joked about the weather adding to the authentic experience during his rainy visit: "What's even more homely about this place is... the weather is stinking, it couldn't be gloomier."
Contradicting the 'ghost town' moniker, Morris found the area full of activity, declaring it "a lot nicer than many towns I've been to in the UK." Another visitor, YouTuber Harvey in China, noted the surreal atmosphere, describing the architecture as "eerily close" to Britain but observed it was "very, very empty" on a weekend, populated largely by vloggers and photographers.
Lasting Legacy of a Cross-Cultural Experiment
Today, Thames Town stands as a fascinating cultural export and a testament to global architectural influence. While it may not function as a traditional residential community as first intended, it has successfully carved out a new identity. For locals, it offers a unique escape from Shanghai's urban bustle and a 'taste of England'. For international visitors, it provides a bizarre and memorable experience.
Tripadvisor reviewer Dean recommends it as a "worthwhile visit" for those with time to spare in Shanghai, despite the 90-minute travel time from the city centre. Anna, visiting in 2021, summed up the appeal: "It really does feel like I've stepped back into the UK! Lovely little town to just walk around and escape Shanghai!" Thames Town remains a multi-million-pound monument to Britain's iconic aesthetic, reinterpreted on the other side of the world.
