The beloved UK tourist destination is set to be rebuilt in China.
Stratford Apon Abon, an idyllic town in the West Midlands, is known for its quaint shops, welcoming pubs and stunning scenery. It is also the birthplace of Shakespeare.
With historic buildings, views of the Avon River and a wealth of museum views, the market town is particularly popular among Chinese visitors leading to this unique project.
Fuzhou, China, is building copies of Stratford, with recreational locations of Shakespeare, several streets and even the Avon River.
This forms part of a large project named Sanweng, or “three masters.” It aims to commemorate three literary giants, Shakespeare, Cervantes, “Little Alcala” and local author Tan Xianzu.
All three authors died in 1616. During his 2016 visit, Philippa Rawlinson passed away from the trust where Shakespeare was born. “I have a great interest in Shakespeare in China.
“Trust has built a long relationship with cultural organisations to promote the lives and times of Shakespeare's work to the Chinese audience.”
For those who want to follow the bard's stairs, the town of Warwickshire offers a wealth of views. We start with Shakespeare's birthplace. There you can wander around the house and garden where he spent his childhood.
Other must-sees include the school room where he studied reading and writing, and Anne Hathaway's childhood home (shakespeare's wife, not Hollywood stars).
As you can imagine, the town is filled with theaters, showing off many modern productions. And when hunger strikes you are spoiled to choose everything from relaxing pubs and cafes from high-end restaurants to serve traditional British cuisine.
The Stratford Apon Abon Canal is also worth a visit if you're taking a leisurely walk along the Avon River, where there are plenty of artworks, shops and eateries lined with walking routes. Plus, if you prefer to take in views from the water, there are plenty of canal boat tours.
With over 800 years of history, more will be revealed in Stratford Apon Abon. The good news is that there are numerous walking tours all over town and you can learn about some of the highlights.
And don't forget to chop for a while on the itinerary to explore the bustling farmer market.
If you want to experience the charms of the area first hand, there are plenty of hotels to choose from. The area is also well connected to convenient transport links from Birmingham and London.
