A city in central China has renamed its main tourist attraction (a mountain) after the success of the movie Avatar in China. The majestic peak, located in Hunan province, formerly known as "Heaven and Earth Pillar" or "South Sky Pillar" has officially been called "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain". Do not think that it is a rumor or an action that has been taken by a group of followers of the film, it has been the government of the city of Zhangjiajie who has explained it in an official statement.
In the statement they explain how it is "their mountain" that has inspired the floating mountain that can be seen in the incredible world of Avatar. A report by the local newspaper Xiaoxiang Morning provides a photograph showing the juxtaposition of the mountain with that of the film and explains how a Hollywood photographer arrived in the area in December 2008 and spent 4 days in the area taking photos of the Mountain.
The film has been a great success in China. Two versions, 2D and 3D, have been shown that have raised millions and millions of dollars. The 2D version was withdrawn last Friday as the government planned to release the patriotic biopic " Confucius ". The 3D version is still on the bill.
The similarity of the mountain to the one in the movie can trigger a tourist boom like never before in the area. The mountain is in the scenic Wulingyuan area, which is famous for its stone pillars and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.