Plans have been set in motion to build a $1 billion replica of India’s Taj Mahal, in Dubai. The ambitious project is part of an even bigger development which includes replicas of several other world famous structures.

The replica, which will be known as the Taj Arabia, will be considerably bigger than the original and will include a 300-room hotel, shops and commercial buildings. It will be part of the 3,8 million square meter Falcon city of Wonders on Emirates Road. Salem Al Moosa, CEO and chairman of Falcon City, elaborated:

The project would be designed to engrave Dubai’s place in the minds and hearts of world citizens. It will be complete by the end of 2014.

The Falcon City of Wonders will also include replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. As for why, Arun Mehra, the main financial backer behind Taj Arabia, put it rather plainly:

Dubai’s about the bigger and the better – and we are creating that facility.

[Source: BBC, Yahoo! News]