Splendid China (Florida)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Splendid China was a roadside attraction in Florida near Orlando. It opened in 1993 and closed on December 31, 2003. It was a sister park to the one in Shenzhen, China which is still open and receives many visitors. It cost $100,000,000 to build.
At its height of popularity, it was a 75 acre miniatures park with more than 60 replicas at 1/10th scale. Each piece was handcrafted to maintain authenticity. The park's replica of the Great Wall took nearly seven million inch long bricks and stretches nearly a kilometer. The replica of the Leshan Buddha is four stories tall.
Each evening, Splendid China put on a show featuring a rotating cast of 60 dancers, actors, and acrobats.
Splendid China was criticized for being partly owned by the government of the People's Republic of China, and according to those critics, showing an idyllic version of places like Tibet and Mongolia without the context of political struggle within those areas.
After closing its gates, Splendid China suffered a rash of attacks from thieves and vandals. Usually the work of artful but destructive local area youths, hundreds of items were taken ranging from small miniatures to portions of life-size statues. The perpetrators were never caught.
Today the area is set to become the Orlando Galleria.
[edit] References
- Florida, DK Travel Guide, 2004, pg. 178
[edit] External links
- A photo gallery hosted by about.com
- Current pictures by illicitohio.com
