College complex casts spell on Harry Potter fans

While Shijiazhuang's replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza is creating a stir, a college complex in Hebei's provincial capital is conjuring up a controversy of its own.

Netizens say that the Hebei Academy of Fine Arts complex - which includes a giant clock tower, castle walls and turrets - resembles the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the primary setting of the Harry Potter novels and films.

Zhen Zhongyi, principal of the academy and designer of the complex, nicknamed "Cinderella's Castle", has denied the facility is an imitation, saying he didn't even see the movies.