Eden Projects for China?

Cornwall's Eden Project - home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world - has announced plans to expand abroad.

The plans involve launching a new company to drive the establishment of Edens around the world.

Eden Project International Ltd (EPIL) is a new entity formed as part of the Eden Trust

According to the Eden Project's press release about the expansion, there are three potential projects planned for China, amongst other sites around the world:

''Eden Qingdao will explore the theme of water and its importance for life on earth.

The project is still on the drawing board, with construction due to begin later this year.

As with similar projects it will link with other Eden Project centres around the world, sharing content and programmes. This will be an Eden Project for China but with a global relevancy.

The second major project in China is in the historic city of Yan’an, famed for being the end of Chairman Mao’s Long March and north of the Xi’an, home of the terracotta warriors.

This project will explore the theme of land and soil and its importance for life on earth. The project will showcase ecological restoration as a vital tool for the future and restore a degraded site just outside the city into a fertile valley full of flowers, agriculture, craft and education.

A feasibility report is complete and Eden Project International is now ready to present its plans.

Like Eden Qingdao, It will link with other Edens around the world, sharing content and programmes.

The third Eden project in China is based at Sheng Lu Vineyard in Beijing. The aim is to create a place to reconnect with nature. Education and training programmes will run from here, offering the chance for children and adults to play in natural environment.

Eden has been asked to provide support in turning the vineyard into a profitable and educational visitor attraction as well as supporting education and offering horticultural and landscaping advice.''