Do you believe you can actually visit the largest country in the world, China, within only one day? Yes, indeed you can. Let’s find the answer here. Watching Asian drama movies, mainly Chinese movies, has always been my favorite. Driven by the romantic Chinese movie, “Rainbow Sweetheart” featuring Jimmy Lin as the main actor, we were eager to find the building where most of the movie scenes take place, called Di Wang Da Sha or Di Wang mansion. For this reason, after our visit to Hong Kong, we stopped over in Shenzhen. However, the view from the building is at its best at night, so we spent the whole afternoon visiting one of the prime tourist attractions in Shenzhen called Splendid China Folk Village. My boyfriend and mom have visited the site several times so they just accompanied me to go there. The park is very accessible. You only need to take the MTR and get off at the Window of the World Station and you can cross the road since the park is just across the Window of the World. We bought the ticket for RMB 120 per person. I tried to find the English guide map but there was none. So, I just took the Chinese version. Although I could read some Chinese but still reading English is much easier for me.
Located on the bank of the gorgeous Shenzhen Bay in Overseas Chinese Town over an area of 30 hectares, the Splendid China Folk Village is believed to be the largest miniature park in the world. It is a lively, rich and comprehensive miniature scenery park that vividly depicts the history, culture, ancient architecture and the art and folk customs of ethnic groups in China. The park is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm and is managed by the major travel and tourist corporation, China Travel Services. The park is actually made up of two different parks that are located together, Splendid China and China Folk Culture Village. At first I had no idea that the two parks were different. I thought they were just the same attraction. But then after doing some research, I noticed that the two parks are actually two different parks that emphasize Chinese culture differently. The two parks are located next to each other but they offer different attractions with the same one purpose, that is to reflect and introduce Chinese culture of over 5000 years to the world. In 2003, Splendid China were combined together with the China Folk Culture Village to form Splendid China Folk Village.
The Splendid China displays various miniatures of Chinese historical buildings and architectural heritage. There are over 100 miniaturized replicas of China’s most prominent historical buildings that have been reduced on a scale of 1:15 and laid out according to the map of China. On the other hand, its sister-theme park, the China Folk Culture Village emphasizes on the uniqueness of various ethnic groups in China. Just like the name suggests, China Folk Culture Village is indeed a village for Chinese ethnic groups to perform their traditional houses, dances, arts, customs and habits. The park gathers 56 minority groups of China in 24 authentically built ethnic villages, for example the houses from Hainan Island, a very big Dong-minority bridge, houses from the Dai people in Yunnan and so on. Each of the ethnic culture has its own unique traditional house and performance which you can enjoy for free. There are many small different performances throughout the day at each village such as the dance of Xinjiang people in their traditional clothes and the Tibetan performance. Some of the main performances are like the big horse performance, the Oriental Rainbow-colored costumes at the Central Theater in the afternoon and Dancing with the Dragon and Phoenix in the Phoenix Theater in the evening.
Compared to Splendid China, many said that China Folk Culture Village is more attractive for it entertains visitors with many small and big cultural performances. Both parks exhibit Chinese culture in a beautiful landscape with very pleasant gardens. Honestly, I do not think you can explore the entire park within only one day. However, if you want to save your energy and time, you can take a train to have a general look of the Splendid China and use the remaining time to watch the performances in China Folk Culture Village. That way, you can grab the whole picture of the two theme parks. Visiting the two parks can be a good and quick way to learn about Chinese history and culture. It is just like touring China in only one day.
At the entrance gate to Splendid China
The Chinese have special respect for dragon, so they try to represent its image in their culture as seen how they make the dragon path in the park. 
These flower replicas are so cute. You can put in your head to just look like a real flower…. hahaha
This special tower resembles the culture of one of Chinese minority tribes. I am not so clear about the name of this tower… but I found it unique. 
My mom and I at the tea house. The tea house is a traditional Chinese tea house with red lanterns hanging over, small benches and tables. To Chinese people, drinking tea is not merely drinking but it represents their Chinese identity. 
In the park there are many shops that have a good assortment of handicrafts and local specialties. The souvenir shops sell a various range of Chinese accessories such as key chains, pens, statues, and many others. Visitors can buy Chinese souvenirs to be brought home from these stalls. So if you are a Chinese culture enthusiast, a visit to the park is really worth it. 
The Impression Theater in China Folk Culture Village. However, because of lack of information, I did not enter it nor watch the performance. 
The tranquil lake inside the park adds to the beauty of the site. On the lake there were also Chinese traditional boats called sampans with unique decorations. 
Although I did not visit all of the ethnic villages in China Folk Culture Village, fortunately I passed by this Tibetan Village. I saw the traditional house of Tibet and went inside it. 
Inside the Tibetan traditional house, I found the unique home appliances of the Tibetans as you can see in the picture. 
I am not really clear what this stone tower is but from its shape maybe it is the Tibetan stone tower to offer sacrifices to their gods or hold ancestral worship rituals. 
I am not really sure of the name of this building but I guess this is the Tibetan Ancestral Shrine to worship their ancestors or gods. 
The replica of Mount Huang Shan in China 
Since some of the Chinese minority groups are Moslems, there is also a Moslem building in the China Folk Culture Village. 
One of the Moslem houses I visited in China Folk Culture Village. However I did not enter the house. 
One of the small theaters in China Folk Culture Village where some of the small live performances are held. 
China Folk Culture Village and Splendid China are only separated by this wall. This gate marks the boundaries of the two theme parks. 
I am standing at Splendid China, and here the journey begins
I call this path “The Path of Love” where my boyfriend and I were standing together with our backs leaning against each other… So romantic.. hahaha,,, 
The replica of Longmen Grottoes in Henan province
The replica of Leshan Giant Buddha Statue in Sichuan province
The replica of Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou province
The replica of the giant sleeping Buddha statue
The replica of Shengshou Temple in Chongqing
The replica of Potala Palace in Tibet
The replica of Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu province
The replica of the Great Islamic Mosque in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomic Region
The replica of the Abakh Hoja’s tomb in in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomic Region
The replica of the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan in Inner Mongolia
The replica of the Great Wall of China in Beijing
The replica of the Forbidden City in Beijing
The replica of the Imperial Garden in Beijing
The replica of the Quadrangle in Beijing
The replica of Shanhaiguan Pass in Hebei province
The replica of Sea of Fortune
The replica of Fang Hu Sheng Jing (Wonderful Scene in a Square Pot)
The replica of Hong Ci Yong Hu (Bounteous Mercy Forever Shrines)
The replica of Luo Yue Kai Yun (The Crystal Moon Dispersing Clouds)
The replica of Penglai PavilionSpending the whole afternoon in the park was not enough because the park is just too large for us to explore for only one day. I still missed some miniatures in Splendid China and lost the opportunity to watch the small performances in China Folk Culture Village. However, I and my two faithful partners were determined to watch the grand performance of the Dragon and Phoenix show in the evening. We had to exchange our entrance tickets with the show tickets at the appointed counter. Everyone must sit on their seat number. If I’m not mistaken, exactly at 6 pm the show started. Actually the instruction mentioned we were not allowed to record or photograph the show, however, I saw many of the visitors turned on their camera and videotaped it.
The Dragon and Phoenix Show. The show was magnificent and wonderful. The people, the dances, the costumes, everything was just brilliant. This is one of the most beautiful scenes in the show where a beautiful fairy spread her wings and pretended to fly. 
With great lightings, sound systems and narration background, the show successfully entertains visitors by presenting some of the Chinese ancient stories in audiovisual realm. 
The Dragon and Phoenix Show
The end of the show was marked by the appearance of all the performers in colorful costumes and the fountains. It was really an amazing show. After strolling around the two theme parks, taking pictures and watching the performance, we decided to go to our next destination, Di Wang Mansion. Although it was tiring, I found the trip quite interesting and meaningful because it added to my knowledge about Chinese history and culture. Condensing the highlights of whole China in just two theme parks, the Splendid China Folk Village really gives great insight about China to visitors within only a few hours. Therefore, visiting the theme park should be incorporated in your itinerary if one day you decide to embark on Shenzhen tour.
Sources:
Personal experience and additional information from other online articles
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