Thames Town

Thames Town, located in Songjiang District, Shanghai, is one of China’s most famous "copycat towns," designed to resemble a traditional English village. Completed in 2006, it features cobblestone streets, Tudor-style buildings, red telephone booths, and a Gothic church, creating a picturesque European atmosphere. Originally planned as a residential and commercial hub for Shanghai’s expanding suburbs, it struggled with low occupancy due to high housing prices and its appeal primarily as an investment property market rather than a fully functional community. Despite this, Thames Town has gained popularity as a wedding photography destination and tourist attraction. Its development reflects China’s themed urban experiments, blending cultural aesthetics with speculative real estate, though lacking long-term residential vibrancy.

Thames Town is a planned district, not a new city. Located in Songjiang District on the outskirts of Shanghai, China, Thames Town was designed as a replica of an English market town, featuring British-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and landmarks like a Gothic church and red telephone booths.

While it has the characteristics of a new development with its own housing and commercial areas, it remains part of Songjiang District within Shanghai rather than a completely self-contained new city. Thames Town was created as a themed district for residential living and tourism, but it has not grown into a fully independent city, and much of its infrastructure remains underutilized. It is better described as a suburban development or urban experiment within an existing city.

Thames Town remains a cautionary tale of ambitious urban planning that never gained traction as a real community. While not entirely abandoned, it has largely failed to attract residents or businesses, leaving it far from a success.

Strengths:

• Architectural Uniqueness: Thames Town is known for its distinctive British-style architecture, which has attracted tourists, wedding photographers, and occasional visitors.
• Well-Constructed Infrastructure: The town’s roads, buildings, and public spaces are well-built, offering a functional urban layout.
• Proximity to Shanghai: Located in Songjiang District, it has the potential to serve as a suburban retreat or residential alternative for those working in the greater Shanghai area.

Challenges:

• Severely Underpopulated: Despite its construction over a decade ago, Thames Town remains largely vacant, with few permanent residents and limited commercial activity.
• Lack of Economic Drivers: The town was never effectively anchored by businesses, industries, or educational institutions, leaving it without a stable economic base.
• Overreliance on Tourism: While it draws visitors for photos and day trips, this hasn’t translated into a sustainable community.
• Perception as a “Theme Park” Rather than a City: The town is often viewed more as a novelty or a showcase of architecture than as a livable, functioning urban area.