China welcomes UK's Eden Project

UK's Eden Project on Sunday signed a deal with Chinese developer Franshion properties to build China Eden in Qingdao on Sept 20, 2015. [Photo / chinadaily.com.cn]

UK's Eden Project, an educational charity, signed a deal with Chinese developer Franshion properties on Sunday. Their goal is to build a China Eden in Qingdao and becoming the company's first project in Asia.

China Eden will be the biggest development for the Eden Project since the eco tourist attraction fully opened in 2001. China Eden also becomes the first Eden project built overseas.

China Eden will face Jiazhou Bay covering 100 hectares of what used to be industrial land.

"This project fits perfectly with Eden's key transformation and regeneration themes. It brings life to a currently sterile and derelict site," said Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project.

“The ambition for China Eden is to create a globally-renowned and iconic tourism attraction. China Eden will build a centre which demonstrates the highest-quality of sustainable construction practices - just as Eden has in the UK.”

Smit adds that China Eden will become an eco visitor attraction with large biomes, open squares and other recreation facilities. China Eden will have 17 themed restaurants and all the facilities will be designed barrier-free.

The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall. Inside the artificial biodomes are plants that are collected from all over the world. The complex is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes that house thousands of plant species, and each enclosure emulates a natural biome. The domes consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated, plastic cells supported by steel frames. The first dome simulates a tropical environment while the second a Mediterranean environment.

China Eden's first project phase is expected to cost just under 1 billion yuan, according to executive director of the Eden Project, David Harland.

Du Han contributed to the story.