View source for Splendid China (Florida)

{{short description|Theme park in Four Corners, Florida (1993–2003)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| image          = Splendid China, Florida - Imperial Palace Forbidden City (8357672683) (lighter).jpg
| caption        = The derelict Imperial Palace in 2012
| location       = [[Four Corners, Florida]], United States
| opening_date   = late 1993
| closing_date   = December 31, 2003
| previous_names = 
| theme          = [[Ancient China]]
| season         = 
| area           = {{cvt|75|acre}}
| rides          = 
| coasters       = 
| water_rides    = 
| owner          =
| status         = closed
| homepage       = 
| coordinates    = {{Coord|28|20|03|N|81|36|31|W|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Splendid China''' was a [[theme park]] in [[Four Corners, Florida]]. It opened in 1993 and closed on December 31, 2003. It was a sister park to the [[Splendid China Folk Village|Splendid China]] in [[Shenzhen]], China, and cost $100&nbsp;million to build.<ref>"Buddhist plan demonstration at China park";Tampa Tribune; 11-30-1993</ref>

It was a {{convert|75|acre|adj=on}} [[miniature park]] with more than 60 replicas at a one-tenth scale at its height of popularity. Each piece was handcrafted to maintain authenticity. Initially, Chinese artists were hired to perform in the park. After a number of them tried to seek political asylum in the United States, they were replaced by local performers.

Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda criticized the Chinese government's ownership of Splendid China; the state-owned corporation [[China Travel Service]] owned and operated the theme park.<ref>{{cite news | title= Website of critics | url =http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/au/index.html | access-date =August 20, 2009 }}</ref>

== History ==
=== Origins ===
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.{{When|date=February 2011}} CTS recouped its US$100 million investment during this first year.<!---meaning $30 net profit per visitor. That doesn't sound right--->

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1999.pdf |title=From "Florida Splendid China"; Kenneth R. Timmerman, American Spectator Magazine; February 1999 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

=== Construction ===
On December 19, 1989, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the start of construction for Florida Splendid China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/tl/fsc_timeline.html |title=Groundbreaking |publisher=Caccp.freedomsherald.org |date=1995-10-11 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

The park's replica of the [[Great Wall of China|Great Wall]] took nearly seven million {{convert|1|inch|adj=on}} long bricks and stretched about {{convert|.5|mi}}. The replica of the [[Leshan Giant Buddha|Leshan Buddha]] was four stories tall.<ref>{{cite book | last = various | title = Florida DK Travel Guide 2004 | page = 178 }}</ref>

=== Buyout ===
In December 1993, the American partners were bought out by the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1993.pdf |title="Theme park takes bow as activists create row: The communist nation becomes sole owner of Florida Splendid China after U.S. partner pulls out"; Annie Tin; Orlando Sentinel December 19, 1993 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

=== Changes in 1996 ===
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'.<ref name=prpc1996 />

In July 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Florida Splendid China was changing their name to "Chinatown."<ref name=prpc1996 /> In August 1996, the Orlando Business Journal reported that marketing department of Florida Splendid China had shrunk by 5 positions.<ref name=prpc1996 />

=== FARA violation ===
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1998.pdf |title=1998 Media |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

In May 1999, the Far East Economic Review reported that Florida Splendid China was losing $9 million a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1999.pdf |title="Not-So-Splendid Deal"; Lesley Clark; Far East Economic Review; May 13, 1999 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

== Protests and bans ==
A group called Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda (CACCP) staged several protests at the park against perceived Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the Mongolian and Tibetan exhibits.<ref>{{cite news | title= Citizens Against Communist Chinese Propaganda | url =http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/au/index.html | access-date =August 20, 2009 | quote =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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1993.pdf |title="Buddhist plan demonstration at China park"; Karen Haymon Long; Tampa Tribune; December 19, 1993 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1993.pdf |title="Looks like China? It may be Florida"; Al Levine; The Atlanta Constitution December 19, 1993 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1993.pdf |title="Newest Attraction attracts protesters Buddhist monks and others quietly protest the opening of Splendid China near Orlando"; Laura Griffin; The St. Petersburg Times December 20, 1993 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

In November 1995, the Pinellas County, Florida school board voted to ban trips to Florida Splendid China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1995.pdf |title="Clearwater, Florida to Ban the School Visits to China Theme Park"; -; Reuters; November 6, 1995 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>
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 to Florida Splendid China while a large crowd of demonstrators watched.<ref name=prpc1996>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1996.pdf |title=1996 Media |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

On April 19, 1996, the Representative Assembly of the 1996 Florida Teaching Professionals-NEA State Conference in Orlando passed a resolution to ban personal or school trips to Florida Splendid China by its members. The resolution passed overwhelmingly.

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1997.pdf |title="Dalai Lama's brother protests at China park"; Jim Stratton; Orlando Sentinel; October 13, 1997 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

In December 1999, CACCP held the 32nd demonstration at the main gate of Florida Splendid China to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Grand Opening.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1998.pdf |title=1998 Media |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

== Plans for closure ==
In May 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported that Sunny Yang, Florida Splendid China president, confirmed that the property was about to be sold. Additionally, sources closely related to the attraction had said that the park was to be sold and closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc2000.pdf |title="Splendid China slated for sale"; Alan Byrd; Orlando Business Journal; May 26, 2000 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

In November 2000, the Orlando Business Journal reported that amid allegations of financial mismanagement, the former president (Sunny Yang) of the struggling Splendid China attraction has been sent back to mainland China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2000/11/06/story1.html |title="Where in the world is Yang?"; Alan Byrd; Orlando Business Journal; November 6, 2000 |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=2000-11-06 |access-date=2012-10-29}}</ref>

== After closure ==
[[File:Splendid China, Florida - Imperial Palace Forbidden City (8357683601) (lighter).jpg|thumb|Abandoned park buildings, in 2012]]
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.<ref>{{cite news | title=Splendid China replicas to make way for development | url =http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-splendid0807nov08,0,126821.story | work =Orlando Sentinel | access-date =November 8, 2007 }}</ref> The property has passed through several owners and in July 2009 was up for sale at an asking price of $30&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news | title=Trouble haunts ruins of Splendid China | url =http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-splendid-china-decays-071609,0,6146797.story | work =Orlando Sentinel | access-date =July 16, 2009 }}</ref>

On May 9, 2013, the new owners started to tear down the park.<ref>{{cite news | title=Closed attraction Splendid China to be demolished | url =http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/22200938/closed-attraction-splendid-china-to-be-demolished | work =Fox 35 Orlando | access-date =May 9, 2013 }}</ref>

In August 2015, Encore Homes reported that [[Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville|Margaritaville Resort]] would open on the former Splendid China site, with resort homes and condos and in [[Jimmy Buffett]] themed setting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.margaritavilleresortorlando.com/ |title="Margaritaville Resort Orlando" |publisher=margaritavilleresortorlando.com/ |date=2017-08-31|access-date=2017-08-31}}</ref>

By March 2016, there was nothing left of the park as construction had begun for the new Margaritaville resort. The former park is located on a parcel of the southern and eastern property of the resort bordering Fins Up Circle, Formosa Gardens Blvd. and Funie Steed Rd.

== Exhibits ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*  The Mogao
*  The [[Mogao Grottoes]] Cave
*  The [[Yungang Grottoes]]
*  The [[Longmen Grottoes]]
* [[Leshan Buddha]] in Sichuan province
*  Buddhist Stone Sculptures in Dazu
* [[Midair Temple]]
* [[Cliffside Tombs]]
* [[Stone Forest]] Yunnan Province
* [[Shanhai Pass]] of the Great Wall
* [[Nine Dragon Wall]]
*  Mongolian Yurt
* [[Mausoleum of Genghis Khan]] in Inner Mongolia
* [[The Great Wall]]
* [[1000 Eyes and 1000 Hands]] [[Guanyin Buddha Statue]]
* [[Xiang Fei's Tomb]] ([[Tomb of Apak Hoja]])
* [[Id Kah Mosque]]
*  Panda Playground
* [[Bai Dwelling Houses]]
* [[Three Ancient Pagodas]] in Dali
* [[Manfeilong Pagoda]]
*  The [[Dai Village]]
* [[Jinzhen Octagonal Pavilion]]
* [[Potala Palace]] in Tibet
* [[Lijiang River]] Scenery
* [[Foshan Ancestral Temple]]  in Guangdong Province
* [[Zhenghai Tower]]
* [[Dwelling House of the Hakkas]]
* [[Water Village]]
* [[Tengwang Pavilion]]
* [[West Lake]] Scenery in Hangzhou
* [[Town God Temple]]
*  Chinese Garden
* [[Temple of Confucius]]
* [[Summer Palace]] in [[Beijing]]
* [[Zhaozhou Bridge|Zhaozhou]]
*  Lugouqiao ([[Marco Polo Bridge]]) in Beijing
* [[Forbidden City]] in Beijing
* [[Jin Gang Bao Zuo Pagoda]]
*  The White Pagoda in [[Miaoying Temple]] in Beijing
* [[Yingxian Wooden Pagoda]]
* [[Terra Cotta Warriors]] and Horses of [[Qin Shihuang Mausoleum]]
* [[Big Wild Goose Pagoda]] in [[Xi'an]]
* [[Jiayuguan Pass]] of the Great Wall
* [[Ancient Star-Observatory]]
*  Memorial [[Temple of Zhuge Liang]] ([[Temple of Marquis Wu]])
* [[Buyi Village]]
* [[Miao Village]]
* [[Wind and Rain Bridge]], [[Drum Tower of the Dong]]
* [[Yueyang Pavilion]] (Tower)
* [[Yellow Crane Tower]] in Wuhan
* [[Feihong Pagoda]]
* [[Shaolin Temple]]
* [[Pagoda Forest at Shaolin Temple]]
* [[Jin Ancestral Temple]]
* [[Temple of Heaven]] in Beijing, and seen at [[China Pavilion at Epcot]]
* [[Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum]] in Nanjing
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
*[http://orlando.about.com/library/slides/blsc01.htm A photo gallery]
*[http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/index.html Archive website of effort against Florida Splendid China]
* [http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc2001.pdf “Forbidden City: Can a new CEO lift the veil – and revenues – at China's troubled theme park in Orlando?”; Cynthia Barnett; Florida Trend magazine; June 2001]
*[http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1997.pdf “Developer devotes energy to Four Corners”; Nancy Pfister; The Journal of Osceola County Business, January 1997]
*[http://caccp.freedomsherald.org/mc/prpc1999.pdf “Florida Splendid China”; Kenneth R. Timmerman, American Spectator Magazine; February 1999]

[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in Florida]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:2003 disestablishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Roadside attractions in Florida]]
[[Category:Miniature parks]]
[[Category:China–United States economic relations]]
[[Category:Asian-American-related controversies]]