China to Build Own ‘Neverland Ranch’
EmailABC's Jennifer Wu reports from Beijing: Build one, and the Chinese will build one, too. Shanghai is constructing a smaller version of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Following the death of Michael Jackson two weeks ago, a group of businessmen from Wenzhou devised a plan to commemorate the pop star and capitalize on Jackson’s fan base in China.
According to planners of the project, the Ranch will be about 1/17th the size of the original which spans 2800 acres and will have a similar layout, including a farm with an equestrian park in addition to Michael Jackson memorabilia. The park will be located on Chongming Island near Shanghai.
Neverland Ranch in California, Jackson’s home from 1988 to 2005, was named for Neverland, the fictional fantasy island from Peter Pan. The Ranch included a private amusement park, a zoo, and an “Indian village” among other features.
The project’s first phase, an expanse of 667,000 square meters, is scheduled for completion within a year, according to the Shanghai Morning Post.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
“China to Build Own ‘Neverland Ranch’” – ABC News
NOTE to Self: Reminder to add this place to my list of places I don’t ever care to see.
Posted by: Noz | July 9, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Again – - stupid is what stupid does !
Is China trying to endear itself to the US or something…. they wouldn’t be pandering, do you think??? Maybe they can eventually have more control and we can ‘goose-step’ along with them.
Totally ridiculus ! ! !
Posted by: Reeba | July 9, 2009, 10:44 am 10:44 am
“China to Build Own ‘Neverland Ranch’”
What’s with the misleading title? ABCnews makes it sound like some national project when it’s actually just some businessmen….
Posted by: mms | July 9, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
I am a Hong Kong Chinese. I just hope this is not true. MJ is unique, and he was an American. Copycat is the national skill of China. Just give up the idea – it’s a shameful idea. The bizmen juz want $$, right?
Posted by: William Uy | July 9, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
I applaud the Chinese showing their deep respect for an American Icon and Saint. The whole world has been changed by the grace of MJ, and I suspect soon many countries will follow the example of the Chinese in building shrines and public places in honor of the King.
Posted by: Hope-L | July 9, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Why don’t these guys build something unique rather than regurgitating someone else’s plans for their own gain? Don’t they have minds of their own? Probably not.
Posted by: B-man | July 9, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Yea, why not. China copies everything else. I imagine after a month half the rides will be broken and the cars will be falling off the ferris wheel.
Posted by: Phil | July 9, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Uh, HopeL, pedophiles are not to be considered saints or icons.
Posted by: jack | July 9, 2009, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
How dumb!
Posted by: genlin | July 9, 2009, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm