Splendid China is an abandoned theme park in Kissimmee Florida, near Disney World. Once upon a time, it was $100 million version of China in miniature, spread over 76 intricately landscaped acres. The park included a half-mile long replica of the Great Wall, 60 scale replica Chinese temples and palaces, a big cat show, acrobats, dancers, contortionists, and artisans. It opened in 1993 and closed on December 31, 2003.

Splendid China

(image credits: illicit ohio,illicitohio)

The above images were taken after the park closed but are the “still looking good” versions. The Thousand Hands Thousand Eyes statue disappeared in 2008. Many other miniatures that were not stolen were auctioned off. Graffiti tags most anything that still exists.  Today, the closed theme park is a haven for skateboarders.

Splendid China Florida Gets Torn Down – HD – Part 1

In fact, skateboarders are about the only regular visitors to Florida’s Splendid China and the sister park to Splendid China in Shenzhen, China. These skateboarders film their escapades and post them on You Tube. Here is part one of a video that will show you scenes of Splendid China as it appeared while being torn down. It’s done a bit tongue in cheek, but the images speak for themselves.

Splendid China Florida Gets Torn Down – HD – Part 2

Here is part two of the video with more scenes as well as some skateboarding. At one  time, Splendid China was criticized for being partly owned by the government of the People’s Republic of China. Now the decaying theme park is criticized for the youth who skateboard here.

Splendid China Skate Teaser

Not many visitors come to this defunct amusement park anymore except for skateboarders. Warning to skateboarders and urban explorers: helicopters and cops patrol the premises. This may be due to the fact that after Splendid China closed its doors, the park suffered from thieves and vandals. Hundreds of small miniatures and life-sized statues were stolen. The perpetrators were not caught but believed to be youths.

Feeling Good Montage – Splendid China

More kids, more skateboarding, “feeling good” in Splendid China. If it weren’t for skateboarders, this abandoned attraction would be creepy. As of July 2009, the owners still wished to sell it. The asking price was $30 million.

Splendid China Skateboarding With Two Angles

There are worse things for kids to do than spend a a day in Florida’s China. However, it is also the youth who are blamed for the vandalism. When Splendid China was open, it featured more than 60 attractions. These ranged from the Great Wall of China to the Forbidden City. It’s said that nearby neighbors want this place completely destroyed. Why is it that adults want to turn this defunct amusement park into a truly forbidden place?

Splendid China Skateboarding

Skateboarders are about the only thing this abandoned amusement park has going for it now. Splendid China could not compete with nearby Disney World and Epcot’s own China. At one time, this park had about 3,000 guests a day. Before it closed, visitors dropped to around 200 or less a day. Now its left to rot away into total decay or until a bulldozer completely levels the place.

Splendid China “Today”

Here is what is left of Splendid China today. It’s sad, but not a place where laughter is completely dead. Not yet. Not so long as skateboarders and urban explorers use it for a playground.