Ground has been broken on a project of ‘Titanic’ proportions, with a life-size replica of the doomed Titanic passenger liner now under construction in China’s Sichuan Province.

Heading from Southampton to New York, the original Titanic hit an iceberg on 14 April 1912. More than two-thirds of the 2,224 people on board were killed.

Dubbed ‘New Titanic’, the 269-metre (882-foot) -long replica will be the centrepiece of a high-end Romandisea tourist resort, with the ship to be permanently moored in the province’s Qijiang river.

In addition to a faithful recreation of the ship based on original blueprints, guests and visitors will also be able to enjoy modern amenities, such as a spa and WiFi access.

The replica has been designed by US company GC High-Tech and is being constructed by the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry. Original plans would have included re-enactments of the ship sinking, though those plans appear to have been scrapped.

The new resort will also include a manmade beach, ‘6D’ movie theatre and replicas of a Venetian church and European castles.

The project has had some notable backers, including Tony Blair’s former communications chief, Peter Mandelson, and Curtis Schnell, a veteran Hollywood production designer who has been hired to work on the project.

The C¥1bn (US$147m, €137m, £116m) project, which is being funded by Star Energy Investment Group, is scheduled for completion in 2017.

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