Welcome to a whirlwind tour of 10 interesting replicas of world‑famous landmarks. From gleaming gold‑lined mansions in the Middle East to ultra‑accurate Egyptian tomb copies, these doppelgängers prove that iconic architecture can travel, transform, and sometimes even out‑shine the originals.
10 Interesting Replicas: A Quick Overview
10 The White House in Iraq
When Kurdish entrepreneur Shihab Shihab set out to build his dream residence, he chose to echo the “beauty and simplicity” of Washington’s White House. The $20 million project sits in Erbil, northern Iraq, a city once under Saddam Hussein’s rule. While the façade mirrors the American icon, Shihab took liberties inside: the grand staircase’s banister and ceilings are sheathed in 21‑karat gold, and a lavish Turkish bath adds a local twist.
At 32,300 sq ft (3,000 m²) the Iraqi version is modest compared with the 55,000 sq ft (5,110 m²) original, yet Shihab boasts, “I get to keep my bedroom for life while Obama has to vacate it after his term.”
9 Christ the Redeemer in Portugal
The Brazilian Christ the Redeemer towers 98 ft (30 m) above a 26‑ft (8 m) pedestal, watching over Rio. Inspired by this marvel, the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon commissioned a sibling statue in Portugal after seeing the original in 1934. World War II gave the project extra meaning, turning the monument into a symbol of Portugal’s gratitude for escaping the worst of the conflict.
Inaugurated in 1959, Portugal’s Cristo Rei stands 90 ft (28 m) tall on a 246‑ft (75 m) pedestal in Almada, gazing across the Tagus River toward Lisbon. Visitors can ride an elevator up the pedestal for close‑up views of the statue and sweeping city panoramas.
8 The Statue of Liberty in France
While hundreds of Lady Liberty copies exist, one of the quirkiest resides at Vascoeuil Castle in France. Instead of a single torch, this version raises torches in both hands, as if cheering on a concert. Named “La Victoire de la Liberté” (The Victory of Liberty), the 1972 Salvador Dalí‑crafted sculpture is only slightly taller than an average person, far smaller than New York’s copper colossus.
A twin of Dalí’s piece can be found in his hometown of Cadaqués, bearing a plaque with Federico García Lorca’s “Ode to Salvador Dalí.” The statue also serves as a Catalan independence emblem, draped in regional flags and bearing the slogan “Llibertat presos politics” (“Freedom for political prisoners”).
7 Big Ben in India
Driving along Kolkata’s VIP Road, motorists encounter a striking clock tower that mimics London’s Big Ben. Known locally as the Kolkata Time Zone Tower, this replica was erected in 2015 and rises roughly 100 ft (30 m), a fraction of the original’s 315 ft (96 m) stature.
South Dumdum Municipality chairman Mr. Mriganka Bhattacharya says the tower sprang from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s vision of making Kolkata a rival to London, with Big Ben an obvious choice given the limited plot size.
Not everyone applauded the decision. Architecture professor Debashish Das of Jadavpur University criticized the move, arguing that copying a foreign landmark ignores the cultural and historical context that gives each structure its unique identity.
6 Moai (Easter Island Heads) in Japan
Visitors to Makomanai Takino Cemetery near Sapporo are greeted by a line of 40 moai—those iconic monolithic heads from Easter Island. While the original statues average 13 ft (4 m) tall, Japan’s versions range from 21 ft to 31 ft (6.5 m–9.5 m), making them even more imposing.
Another collection of moai stands at Sun Messe Nichinan, a park south of Miyazaki. Seven statues, each about 18 ft (5.5 m) high, overlook the sea, accompanied by an Earth Appreciation Bell, a rare insect exhibit, and African tortoises.
5 The Taj Mahal in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni embarked on a five‑year mission (2003‑2008) to construct a full‑scale replica of India’s Taj Mahal. He argued that many Bangladeshis can’t afford a pilgrimage to Agra, so he brought the wonder home for the poor and hoped the project would boost tourism.
The Indian High Commission protested, warning that copying historic monuments is inappropriate. Yet spokesperson Deepak Mittal softened the stance, noting the copy is a form of flattery and unlikely to confuse travelers.
4 Stonehenge in Australia
While the ancient stones of England’s Stonehenge align with solstices, Western Australia hosts its own faithful rendition: Esperance Stonehenge. Rather than mimicking the weathered ruins, this version recreates how the stones would have originally appeared, using locally quarried granite.
Comprising 137 stones weighing a total of 2,755 tons (2,500 t), the full‑size, astronomically aligned replica sits on a farm. Owners Kim and Jillian Beale tried to sell the attraction in 2014 for $5 million AU, later reducing the price to $2.1 million AU before finally selling in 2022.
3 The World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in China
China’s theme parks—World Park in Beijing and Window of the World in Shenzhen—celebrate global landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Among the exhibits stand controversial replicas of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, unchanged despite the original towers’ tragic collapse.
These miniature towers coexist with smaller versions of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, prompting debate over whether they serve as tribute or mere tourist curiosities.
2 The Eiffel Tower in Japan
Japan hosts several Eiffel Tower look‑alikes, but Tokyo’s iconic Tokyo Tower steals the spotlight. Completed in 1958, it reaches 1,091 ft (just shy of 333 m), a whisker taller than Paris’s 1,083 ft (330 m) original. This makes Tokyo Tower the second‑tallest structure in Japan, behind the 2,080‑ft (634 m) Tokyo Skytree.
The tower’s main observation deck sits at 492 ft (150 m), accessible via elevators or a 600‑step outdoor staircase. A higher deck at 820 ft (250 m) offers even broader vistas. Its orange‑white paint isn’t decorative—it satisfies aviation regulations requiring tall buildings to be conspicuously colored. The tower even boasts mascots, the pink‑capped Noppon Brothers.
1 Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt
The authentic tomb of Egypt’s boy‑king Tutankhamun remains open to visitors, but each footfall accelerates its deterioration. To preserve the fragile site, a painstaking replica opened a mile away in 2014.
Artist Adam Lowe of Factum Arte led the effort, spending five years and $690,000. Using a 3D laser scanner that captured up to one hundred million points per square meter, the team routed a computer‑controlled cutter to carve walls and sarcophagus with pinpoint accuracy. The pieces were then molded, cast, and painted with a blend of digital printing and hand work.
The replica differs slightly: its antechamber now houses a Tut museum, and the actual mummy stays in the original tomb. Egyptologists praised the project; Robert Brier of Long Island University called it a “no‑brainer” that safeguards the heritage site.
While some tourists still crave the genuine article, Lowe argues, “If deepening understanding is the goal, this replica delivers. If it’s about prejudice demanding the original, then confront that bias.”