🇨🇳 Morocco as a Tourism Goodie. Chefchaouen Replica Recreated in China
- Peter
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
China’s domestic tourism industry is not just massive — it’s strategically curated. With over $800 billion in annual travel spending 2023, China isn’t just about sending tourists abroad. Instead, it’s bringing the world’s most iconic destinations home, turning far-flung dreams into local attractions.
From a faux Eiffel Tower near Hangzhou to an Alpine Austrian village in Guangdong, the concept is clear:
Bring the tourism goodies to the people.
This strategic curation now embraces Morocco, as Harbin Polarland unveils a full-scale, 1:1 Chefchaouen replica in China. The legendary Blue Pearl is Located in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, this meticulously recreated town boasts blue facades, tiled fountains, narrow alleys, and even authentic street signs in Arabic and Spanish, providing a passport-free taste of North Africa’s most Instagrammable medina right in China.
Why Chefchaouen?
For all who visited it , it might be clear , Chefchaouen is not just a town - it's a feeling.
Calming blue tones
Instagrammable charm
Exotic without being overwhelming
Chefchaouen has been since a while a global very instagrammable visual brand and Chinese developers saw its potential as a domestic attraction. The result? A walkable Moroccan city — 9,000 kilometers from Morocco.
A Boost, Not a Copy
Chefchaouen replica in China
Some may see it as cultural theft — I see it as a recognition and the best promotion in one of the largest outbound markets.
Moroccan tourism organizations have clearly understood the appeal of Chefchaouen. They’ve invested in international visibility and embraced its strong visual identity. And now, China has responded by paying tribute — in bricks, paint, and palms.
Every visitor to the Chinese Chefchaouen is viewed as a potential traveler to the original.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Morocco’s National Tourist Office (ONMT) has set some ambitious targets for the Chinese market. Early data from January 2025 already signals a notable rise in daily arrivals of Chinese tourists, suggesting the total could surpass 200,000 by year’s end. The ONMT’s bold vision aims to triple these numbers by 2027, with a longer-term goal of welcoming one million Chinese visitors.
To make this vision a reality, Morocco is actively pursuing the prestigious “China Ready” certification — which would make it the first North African destination officially aligned with the high standards expected by Chinese travelers. This includes customized services, clear signage, local payment platforms, and cutting-edge digital tools tailored specifically for China’s outbound tourism market.
Connectivity is also set for a boost, with new direct flights like Beijing-Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) and Shanghai-Casablanca (China Eastern) opening fresh gateways. Complementing this, strategic partnerships with leading Chinese OTAs such as Trip.com Group aim to drive an impressive 1.15 million overnight stays by 2028.
Morocco’s steps clearly show it’s not just about welcoming visitors — it’s about creating an experience truly made for the Chinese traveler.
Let’s Not Forget the Real One
There’s only one true Chefchaouen:
The call to prayer echoing softly over the Rif hills
Real artisans painting, weaving, and sipping tea in between
Blue walls that aren’t part of a movie set — but part of daily life
And that typical smell wafting “from just around the corner” — yes, that smell — you’ll know it when you arrive :)
Not to mention the world-famous hinterland with its quiet mountain trails and local farmers, who may not care about tourism trends — but somehow always make you feel welcome anyway.
The Chinese version may have the look, but the soul lives in the original.
Time for Coffee…
This is more than tourism news — it’s a case study in global influence.
Chefchaouen made it to China. What’s next?
Let’s keep building these bridges. For now… time for a coffee. Or better yet — a mint tea, like in the real Blue Pearl.
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– Peter
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