Shakespeare's birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese fans of Shakespeare may soon visit his birthplace without traveling to England as China plans to create a replica in one of its provinces.
If the project called Sanweng Town successfully pushes through, the city of Fuzhou in the Fujian Province would soon see the replica of Shakespeare's hometown in Stratford.
Sanweng Town will feature the playwright's 16th-century house, River Avon and the Holy Trinity Church.
Officials from Fuzhou have traveled to Stratford in April this year during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, and from the visit have gotten inspiration for the project.
"A memorandum of 'friendly co-operation' was signed when the Chinese delegation visited England, which will encourage schools and cultural groups in both countries to work together," a report by inews said.
Last week, upon the invitation from the Fujian provincial government, delegates from the Stratford District Council led by Chris Saint came to China to discuss the project.
According to Saint, the project is at its early stage, with concepts still being discussed, and the start of the actual construction has no date yet.
A study, which involved a survey of 18,000 people in 15 countries, revealed that China is one of the countries where Shakespeare is "more popular and better understood than he is in the U.K." Adaptation of Shakespeare's stories to traditional Chinese forms shows China's love for Shakespeare.
Sanweng Town is part of a bigger development project Wenquan New Town which also honors Miguel de Cervantes of Spain and China's own Tang Xianzu. The project aims to promote the opera and arts and to attract tourists to Fujian.
Using the worldwide influence of Shakespeare, China hopes that by association they could promote Tang, a famous playwright whose hometown was Fujian and who also died 400 years ago.
