Splendid China (abandoned - now demolished)

This place is on private property. Listing for informational purposes only. Please do not visit without express permission from the land owner.

TORN DOWN

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.

At its height of popularity, it was a 75 acres (30 ha) 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). The replica of the Leshan Buddha was four stories tall.

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.

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.

On May 9th, 2013, new owners started to tear down the Park.