the goal was to attract 100,000 visitors a day with an array of entertainment , shops and eateries .
outside the mall , a giant egyptian sphinx and a replica of the arc de triomphe were erected alongside fountains and canals complete with venetian gondolas .
the air had a dry smell of dust and garbage was piled everywhere .
it 's been a clear modernization , '' said david carr , an english teacher from the united states who is living in dongguan with his wife danae , also a teacher .