SLENDID CHINA 2013
Splendid China was a theme park in Four Corners, Florida near Walt Disney World and 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. Florida Splendid China cost $100 million to build.
At its height of popularity, it was a 75-acre miniature park with more than 60 replicas at one tenth 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).
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 Service) 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.
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.
The property has passed through several owners and in July 2009 was up for sale at an asking price of $30 million.
On May 9, 2013, the new owners started to tear down the park.
