Jackson Hole, China

Jackson Hole, China is a resort town on the border between Huailai County, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China, and Yanqing District, Beijing, wedged between Taihang and Yan mountain ranges.[2] Its translated Chinese name is "Hometown, U.S.A" (Chinese: 原乡美利坚; pinyin: yuán xiāng měilìjiān) according to another article, which says that resort towns in the countryside of China are rare and are usually associated with being "agrarian."[3] The locale contains spacious backyards that make the location feel like one from America away from the hustle and bustle of Chinese city life.[4]

Jackson Hole

原乡美利坚 (Hometown, USA)[1]
Resort town
Jackson Hole
Location of Jackson Hole in Hebei
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole (Beijing)
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole (China)
Coordinates: 40°27′27″N 115°45′48″E
CountryPeople's Republic of China
ProvinceHebei
CityZhangjiakou
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
Jackson Hole, Wyoming was the inspiration for the resort town. Though claimed as a clone of the American town, the resort is not an exact replica. The architectural style and artifacts contained though could conceivably be from the original town.

History

The town's inspiration comes from Allison Smith[5] who came up with the idea to replicate the architecture found in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the United States of America.[6] According to KIRO-TV, "you can find a Jackson Hole in China".[7] The intent of Jackson Hole, China, according to this article is to design the area to be Americanized. In the 1000 single-home housing development,[8] the theme included designs reminiscent of "Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Stagecoach Station, Betsy (the play), Big Bear, etc.".[7] Smith had researched various resort locations including Martha's Vineyard; Vail, Colorado and then eventually Jackson Hole and chose the latter for the design and theme of the resort town.[9] In Smith's research she "gathered cowhide, antler chandeliers, saddle blankets, lodge pole chairs, wagon wheels, Navajo rugs, iron light fixtures, wildlife scene fireplace screens, wooden snowshoes, leather throw pillows, horseshoes, Charles Russell prints and plaid curtains, shipping them all to China."[10] Liu Xiangyang who is the Developer of the Community, says his selling point is more than architecture; his buyers want freedom and spirituality, so he has built a Christian church in the center of the community for residents. While the resort community's reception varies widely, its striking resemblance to its namesake Western town has raised concerns in academic circles over the possibility of American neocolonialism. In August 2018, Dr. Jåcobs pointed to the Chinese town as evidence that the most pernicious forms of governmental and societal control exist in the actions of capitalistic expatriates.[11]

Property values

According to Smith, the properties "... have sold out and nearly tripled in value since being built." [12] As the first model was put up in a Beijing park for display, "... people apparently went nuts for it." [13]

See also
  1. "Jackson Hole…China". Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  2. "Jackson Hole…China". Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  3. "China's Wild West".
  4. "OUT WEST IN JACKSON HOLE ... CHINA".
  5. "Resort Community, Beijing, China". Allison Smith Design. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. "Jackson Hole, China". Jackson Hole News and Guide. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  7. "You can find a Jackson Hole in China". Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  8. "Living the American dream in Jackson Hole, China". Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  9. "You can find a Jackson Hole in China". Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  10. "You can find a Jackson Hole in China". Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  11. "Saddle up! Wild West goes to China". Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  12. "China Now Has A Jackson Hole Of Its Own". Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  13. "Jackson Hole, China a hit with western-loving Chinese". Retrieved January 9, 2012.
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