At the rate Malaysia’s Covid-19 cases are rising, there’s no telling when we’ll be allowed to travel out of the country. Nevertheless, there’s no harm in bookmarking potential destinations for the future (no matter how distant that may be).
For those curious of what the most romanticised ill-fated ocean liner in history—the RMS Titanic—might look like in real life, add China to your post-pandemic travel list. More than a century after the ship has sunk (no pun intended), a Chinese theme park is bringing it back to life in the form of a full-scale replica. That’s 269 metres long and 28 metres wide, to be exact.
The replica will serve as the centrepiece of a theme park called “Romandisea”, complete with amenities such as banquet halls, theaters, observation decks, and a swimming pool. Everything in the replica, from the dining room to the luxury cabins and even the door handles, will be based on the original Titanic.
It is currently still under construction in a landlocked area in Daying Country, located in the Sichuan province. It won’t be setting sail on any ocean, but will be permanently docked in a reservoir by the river Qi.
Ironically, the original luxury vessel was touted as “unsinkable” by its owners, before it plunged into the depths of the Atlantic in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, leaving more than 1,500 people dead. (If you ask us, it’s probably wise that the replica won’t be heading towards any icebergs, ever.)
It has taken 23,000 tons of steel and over six years to build the replica, more than the time it took to build the original Titanic. According to a report, the project costs one billion yuan (approximately US$153.5 million or RM644 million) to develop.
The project’s main backer, Su Shaojun, says his interest to build the infamous vessel was inspired by James Cameron’s 1997 box office hit of the same name. Starring world-renowned actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film was once the world’s top-grossing film and was also immensely popular in China.
To pay homage to the film, the site of the Titanic features a replica of the Southampton Port portrayed in the disaster epic—a scene where Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) swings on board after winning his ticket in a bet.
Additionally, there will be tour buses playing the film’s anthem, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ on repeat around the theme park.
Guests will have to fork out 2,000 yuan (approximately US$150) to spend a night on the ship and enjoy the “five-star cruise service”. Although the Titanic will remain stationary, its functioning steam engine will make guests feel like they’re at sea.
“The greatest significance of building this ship is to carry forward and inherit the great spirit of Titanic,” Su said.
“We’d like to invite Jack, Rose and James Cameron to the inauguration ceremony,” he added.
No further details have been provided as to when the theme park or the Titanic will be officially open to visitors as of yet. Fingers crossed that international travel will be allowed by then.
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