The Eden Project will create the world’s highest indoor waterfall as part of its development in China.
Eden Project International and China Jinmao Holdings will create a £150m ($208m) tourism and education centre in the city of Qingdao, focussed on the theme of water. It is the Eden Project’s first development outside of the UK.
The waterfall will be more than 50m high, roughly the same height as Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border. The facility is being designed by Grimshaw Architects, the same firm that worked on the rainforest and Mediterranean biomes at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
The project was announced last week as part of a deal between the Chinese and UK governments to deepen cultural ties between the two countries. It is due to open in 2020.
David Harland, CEO of Eden Project International, said: “This is a huge development in the history of the Eden Project and the biggest step we have yet taken towards opening an Eden Project in China.
“We are very excited about the possibilities for this attraction and the city of Qingdao and are very pleased to be working with our friends and colleagues at China Jinmao Holdings.”
Eden announced last year that it intended to open attractions on all continents except Antarctica. It is currently working on four projects in China, including one in the historic city of Yan’an and another at Sheng Lu Vineyard in Beijing.
The organisation will also undertake pre-planning and early feasibility consultancy work for a project in Jizhou in a former limestone mine. It has additional projects in development in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and North America.
Images: c. Eden Project International.
