While construction was continuing at the Chinese project, in Guangdong province’s Huizhou city, about 60 kilometers (100 miles) from Hong Kong, the site was already open to visitors.

But some were skeptical the copycat version would ever match the beauty of the original, a scenic jewel with hill-hugging chalets, elegant church spires and ancient inns all reflected in the deep still waters of an Alpine lake

“Chinese architecture is very characteristic and stylish,’’ said Zhong Ping, a Huizhou resident. “Just work on your own style. Why do you have to copy others? Even the flowers are fake, I can tell they are fake at first glance.’’

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