Chinese 'Fake Mount Fuji' Sparks Global Backlash

A tourist attraction in Hebei province, northern China, has come under fire after unveiling a 'fake' Mount Fuji by painting a small hill white, drawing widespread criticism and mockery both within China and internationally on social media. Universe Fantasy Land had promoted itself as a fairytale destination, featuring a painted hill, artificial pink 'volcanic' smoke, and other picturesque elements, but visitors felt misled when the reality failed to match promotional images. The backlash has reignited debate about Hebei's history of building replicas of global landmarks and has led critics to accuse the park of scamming visitors through misleading marketing. The controversy is part of a broader trend in China, where incidents such as zoos painting dogs to resemble tigers have fueled skepticism about the authenticity of tourist attractions. Online reactions highlight increasing public frustration with deceptive tourism practices. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about the reliability of promotional content for travel destinations in the region.