Research and Other Investigations from China

Found Objects: Fake Dinosaur Graveyard in Chinese Theme Park

April 29, 2011

A fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, China

Last month I visited Tianducheng outside of Hangzhou to continue work on my Counterfeit Paradises project (see Happy Magic Water Park, New South China Mall and Windows on the World). The French-themed residential development was absurd to say the least – a feature on it is forthcoming. The highlight of the trip for me, however, was not the knockoff Eiffel Tower surrounded by megablocks. I found something else. If you were not aware, you should know now: dinosaurs are AWESOME. I have loved them since I was kid which also coincided with my obsession with Calvin and Hobbes (see Tyrannosaurus Rex in F-14). While photographing the exceptional Roman Theatre in the village theme park attached to Tianducheng, I decided to check out the backstage. What did I eventually stumble upon? A fake dinosaur graveyard, obviously. I mean, what else could you expect from such a place? I subsequently freaked out for about an hour and took hundreds of photos of course. Enjoy…

A fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, China

A fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, China

A fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, China

A fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, ChinaA fake dinosaur graveyard behind the European Theatre in Tianducheng, China