Splendid China was a theme park in the census-designated place of Citrus Ridge, Florida near Orlando. It opened in 1993 and closed on December 31, 2003. It was a sister park to Splendid China in Shenzhen, China which is still open and receives many visitors. Florida Splendid China cost $100,000,000 to build.[1]
At its height of popularity, it was a 75 acres (30 ha) miniature 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 1 inch (25 mm) long bricks and stretches about .5 miles (0.80 km). The replica of the Leshan Buddha was four stories tall.[2]
After the park's opening, Florida Splendid China put on shows featuring a rotating cast of 60 dancers, actors, and acrobats from the People's Republic of China (PRC). After a number of artisans, dancers and members of the cast escaped and sought political asylum in the United States, Florida Splendid China reduced the number of cast members from overseas and hired local performers.
Splendid China was criticized for being owned by the government of the People's Republic of China in that officers of the corporation that owned, controlled and operated Florida Splendid China (China Travel Services) were appointed by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The critics cited the following specific allegations about the inclusion of minority exhibits:
Specifically, we are protesting the inclusion of the Potala Palace that was built by the Tibetan people and served as the home of successive Dalai Lamas since 1645,the Id Gah Mosque and Tomb of Abakh Hoja which serve as cultural icons of the people of Eastern Turkestan and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Mongolian Yurt exhibit which attempt to add a Chinese name to the Southern Mongolian people. [3]
After closing its gates, Splendid China suffered a rash of attacks from thieves and vandals. Hundreds of items were taken ranging from small miniatures to portions of life-size statues. The perpetrators, thought to be local youths, were never caught.[4]
The property has passed through several owners and as of July 2009 is for sale at an asking price of $30 million.[5]
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The original idea for the Florida Splendid China theme park was that of Josephine Chen, a former educator from Taiwan. In 1988, Chen toured a prototype park, "Splendid China Miniature Scenic Spot", in Shenzhen, China operated by China Travel Service (CTS). This park is close to Hong Kong. 3.5 million people visited the park during the first year. CTS recouped its US$100 million investment during this first year.
She negotiated an agreement with CTS, controlled by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, under the China National Tourism Administration. Under the agreement, Chen supplied the land and management services, while CTS would construct the building, and supply non-management personnel.[6]
On December 19, 1989, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the start of construction for Florida Splendid China.[7]
In December 1993, the American partners were bought out by the Chinese government.[8]
In December 1993, protest demonstrations started against perceived Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the Mongolian and Tibetan exhibits.[9][10][11]
In November 1995, the Pinellas County, Florida school board voted to ban trips to Florida Splendid China.[12]
In March 1996, at the 11th demonstration against perceived Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the Tibetan, Mongolian and Eastern Turkestan exhibits, five college students sat down and closed the front gate Florida Splendid China while a large crowd of demonstrators watched.[13][14]
On April 19, 1996 the Representative Assembly of the 1996 Florida Teaching Professionals-NEA State Conference in Orlando passes resolution to ban personal or school trips to Florida Splendid China from its members. The resolution passed overwhelmingly.
In May 1996, the Orlando Sentinel reported that the President, General Manager, and Senior Vice-President for Entertainment were replaced in what was described as a 'big management shakeup'.[15]
In July 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Florida Splendid China was changing their name to "Chinatown."[16]
In August 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that marketing department of Florida Splendid China had shrunk by 5 positions.[17]
In October 1997, the brother of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet (Takster Rinpoche), attended the 20th demonstration at Florida Splendid China to commemorate the 48th anniversary of takeover of Eastern Turkestan.[18]
In March 1998, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda asked Attorney General Janet Reno and the US Department of Justice to investigate Florida Splendid China for violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.[19]
In May 1999, the Far East Economic Review reported that Florida Splendid China was losing $9 million (9,000,000) a year.[20]
In December 1999, Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda held the 32nd demonstration at the main gate of Florida Splendid China to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Grand Opening.[21]
In May 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Sunny Yang, Florida Splendid China president, confirmed that the motel property was about to change hands and that sources close to the attraction had said that the park was to be sold and closed.[22]
In November 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported:
Amid allegations of financial mismanagement, the former president (Sunny Yang) of the struggling Splendid China attraction has been sent back to mainland China.[23]
14 The Mogao
15 The Mogao Grottoes Cave #257
16 The Yungang
17 The Longmen
18 Leshan Buddha
19 Buddhist Stone Sculptures in Dazu
20 The Midair Temple
21 Cliffside Tombs
22 Stone Forest
23 Shanhaiguan Pass of the Great Wall
24 Nine Dragon Wall
25 Mongolian Yurt
26 Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
27 The Great Wall
28 1000 Eyes and 1000 Hands Guanyin Buddha Statue
29 Xiang Fei's Tomb (Tomb of Apak Hoja) 30 Id Gah Mosque
31 Panda Playground
32 Bai Dwelling Houses
33 Three Ancient Pagodas in Dali
34 Manfeilong Pagoda
35 The Dai Village
36 Jinzhen Octagonal Pavilion
37 Potala Palace
38 Lijiang River Scenery
39 Foshan Ancestral Temple
40 Zhenghai Tower
41 The Dwelling House of the Hakkas
42 Water Village
43 Tengwang Pavilion
44 West Lake Scenery
45 Town God Temple
46 Chinese Garden
47 Temple of Confucius
48 Summer Palace
49 Zhaozhou
50 Lugouqiao (Marco Polo Bridge)
51 The Imperial Palace
52 Jin Gang Bao Zuo Pagoda
53 The White Pagoda in Miaoying Temple
54 Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
55 Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang Mausoleum
56 Big Wild Goose Pagoda
57 Jiayuguan Pass of the Great Wall
58 Ancient Star-Observatory
59 Memorial Temple of Zhuge Liang (Also Known as the Temple of Marquis Wu)
60 Buyi Village
61 Miao Village
62 Wind and Rain Bridge, Drum Tower of the Dong
63 The Yueyang Pavilion (Tower)
64 Yellow Crane Tower
65 Feihong Pagoda
66 Shaolin Temple
67 Pagoda Forest
68 Jin Ancestral Temple
69 Temple of Heaven
70 Sun Yat Sen's Mausoleum