Splendid China
锦绣中华 · Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá
Quick answer
Passport required at the gate. Tickets sold at the gate in cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. The replicas are arranged geographically — each placard has Chinese + English text explaining the original landmark's history.
Why visit
- 1 80+ Chinese landmark replicas at 1:15 scale — Great Wall (the centerpiece, 800m long), Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Mogao Caves, Potala Palace, all in one 30-hectare walkable park
- 2 The Great Wall miniature is the standout — 800m long, winding through mountain replicas, with watchtowers, beacons, and the same Jundu Mountain backdrop as the real wall
- 3 The China Folk Culture Village (民俗村) — 24 recreated ethnic minority villages with traditional houses, dance performances, and craft demonstrations (Miao silver, Yi embroidery, Tibetan butter tea)
- 4 Live performances every 30 minutes — Chinese folk dance, minority dance, Peking opera excerpts, acrobatics. Most are free with park entry.
- 5 Combined ticket with Window of the World (¥360 day, ¥120 night) — the two parks are 200m apart and a 1-day combined visit is the standard Shenzhen day
Essential tips for foreigners
- Buy the combined ticket with Window of the World (¥360) — the two parks are 200m apart and most of the live shows are different. Save ¥80 and see 200+ replicas (international + Chinese) in one day.
- Visit the China Folk Culture Village inside the park — the 24 recreated ethnic minority villages are the most unique part of Splendid China. Don't skip them for the replicas only.
- Catch the 14:00 Great Wall dance show — the daily parade of 200+ performers in ethnic costumes, marching along the miniature Great Wall. One of the most-photographed moments in Shenzhen.
- Use the audio guide for the historical landmarks — the English narration explains the history of each landmark, the architectural style, and the regional culture. ¥30 extra, well worth it for first-time visitors.
- Wear comfortable shoes — the park is 30 hectares (75 acres), and you'll walk 3-5 km in a full visit.
Suggested route
- 09:00 15 min Arrive at Window of the World Metro Station, Exit A. Walk 5 min east to Splendid China entrance. If you have a combined ticket, you can switch between the two parks freely.
- 09:15 1 hour Enter Splendid China. Head directly to the **Great Wall miniature** (center of the park) — it's 800m long and the most impressive replica. The morning light is best for photography.
- 10:15 30 min Walk north to the **Forbidden City** miniature. The 1:15 scale model of the imperial palace is detailed — every roof, every gate, every courtyard. Allow 30 min.
- 10:45 20 min Walk west to the **Mogao Caves** replica. The painted Buddhist statues and the cave architecture are surprisingly accurate. Allow 20 min.
- 11:05 20 min Walk east to the **Terracotta Army** pit. The mini warriors are lined up in formation — the photo op is the wide shot from above.
- 11:25 1 hour Lunch at one of the in-park restaurants — Chinese, Western, or the Miao village for ethnic minority food (sour fish soup, sticky rice cakes).
- 12:25 1.5 hours Walk to the **China Folk Culture Village** (south side of the park). 24 ethnic minority villages, each with traditional houses and live performances. Miao silver, Yi embroidery, Tibetan butter tea are the highlights.
- 13:55 30 min Head back to the **Great Wall miniature** for the 14:00 daily parade — 200+ performers in ethnic costumes marching along the wall. One of the most-photographed moments in Shenzhen.
- 14:25 30 min Catch the 14:30 Peking opera excerpt at the central plaza. 20 min of traditional Chinese opera, free with ticket.
- 14:55 Optional 3-4 hours Exit Splendid China. Walk 200m west to Window of the World for the afternoon/evening session. The 5-hour combined visit is the standard Shenzhen day.
The most-photographed miniature park in China
Splendid China (锦绣中华, also called Splendid China Folk Culture Village) is a 30-hectare theme park in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, with 80+ Chinese landmark replicas at 1:15 scale. Opened in 1989, the park was the first of its kind in China and remains the most-detailed miniature park in the country.
The centerpiece is the 800m miniature Great Wall, winding through mountain replicas with watchtowers and beacon platforms. Around it, the park is divided into themed regions representing China’s geography — the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, the Mogao Caves, the Potala Palace, the Lijiang Old Town, the West Lake, the Guilin karst landscape, all in one walkable park.
The China Folk Culture Village (民俗村) is the second half of the park — 24 recreated ethnic minority villages with traditional houses, live dance performances, and craft demonstrations. The Miao silver village, Yi embroidery village, and Tibetan butter tea house are the highlights.
For most foreign visitors, Splendid China is the “China sampler” — a 3-4 hour walk through the country’s most iconic landmarks, all in one park. Combined with Window of the World (the sister park 200m west), it’s the standard 1-day Shenzhen visit.
What to actually see
The park is a 4-5 hour visit, or 3 hours for the highlights. The key stops, in walking order:
Great Wall miniature (center) — 800m long, winding through mountain replicas. The standout replica in any miniature park in China.
Forbidden City (north) — the 1:15 scale model of the imperial palace. Every roof, every gate, every courtyard is detailed.
Mogao Caves (west) — the painted Buddhist statues and the cave architecture.
Terracotta Army (east) — the mini warriors in formation. The photo op is the wide shot from above.
Potala Palace (southwest) — the Tibetan palace replica, with the red and white walls and the golden roof.
West Lake and Lijiang Old Town (southeast) — the southern Chinese landscapes.
The China Folk Culture Village is the second half — 24 ethnic minority villages with live performances every 30 min. The 14:00 Great Wall dance show (200+ performers in ethnic costumes) is the daily highlight.
When to go
Best: October-April. Cool and dry. The Chinese New Year (Feb-Mar) is especially good — the park decorates for the festival.
Acceptable: May, September. Warm but not yet hot.
Avoid: June-August. Hot and humid. The park is mostly outdoor. Occasional typhoons in August-September.
Time of day: the 14:00 Great Wall dance show is the daily highlight. Arrive by 13:00 to see the morning performances in good light, then catch the parade.
How to get there
The metro is the easiest. Window of the World Station on Line 1 and Line 2, Exit A. The Splendid China entrance is 5 minutes walk east of the metro. Same metro access as Window of the World.
From Shenzhen North Railway Station (high-speed from Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hong Kong), take Line 5 to Line 1. 45 minutes, ¥7.
From Luohu Port (the older Hong Kong border crossing), take Line 1 direct. 45 minutes, ¥6.
What to pair it with
Splendid China is in the Nanshan district. Pair your visit with:
- Window of the World (200m walk) — the sister park, 130+ international landmark replicas. Combined ticket ¥360 day.
- OCT Loft (15 min by metro) — the converted industrial art district, free
- Shenzhen Bay Park (15 min by metro) — the 13-km coastal park with Hong Kong skyline views, free
- Sea World (20 min by Didi) — the up-market waterfront dining district in Shekou
Best photo spots
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Great Wall miniature (center of the park) · Morning (09:00-10:30) for soft side-light
The 800m miniature winding through mountain replicas. Use a 24-70mm at f/8 to capture the full length from a high vantage point. Morning light gives the best mountain shadow detail.
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Forbidden City miniature (north of the park) · Midday (11:00-13:00) for the overhead view
The 1:15 scale model of the imperial palace. Use a 35mm prime at f/5.6 to capture the roof and the central axis. The mid-day overhead light shows the architectural layout.
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Mogao Caves replica (west of the park) · Any time (interior is shaded)
The painted Buddhist statues inside the cave replica. Use a 24mm prime at f/2.8 to capture the painted ceiling and the Buddha statues. The interior is dim, so high ISO (1600+) helps.
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Terracotta Army pit (east of the park) · Any time (the wide shot is the classic)
The miniature warriors in formation. Use a 24mm wide-angle at f/8 from the high viewpoint to capture the full pit. The depth of the formation is the photo.
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China Folk Culture Village Miao silver house · Late morning (11:00-12:00) for the silver work demonstrations
The Miao silver smiths working at the forge. Use a 50mm prime at f/2.8 to capture the detail work. The artisans are happy to be photographed.
Where to eat nearby
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Miao village restaurant (inside China Folk Culture Village)
Ethnic minority food: sour fish soup (酸汤鱼, ¥80-120), sticky rice cakes (糍粑, ¥15-30), cured pork (腊肉, ¥50-80). More authentic than the in-park Chinese restaurants. · ¥60-120/person · Inside the China Folk Culture Village
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In-park Chinese restaurants (multiple)
Standard Chinese: dim sum, Cantonese dishes, Sichuan. Functional, not memorable. ¥50-100/person. · ¥50-100/person · Inside Splendid China
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Window of the World food street (200m west)
Local Shenzhen street food. Seafood claypot, Cantonese dim sum, bubble tea. Cheaper than the in-park restaurants. · ¥30-80/person · 5 min walk to Window of the World east gate
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Coastal City Mall (海岸城) — 10 min walk from the park
Large mall with 30+ restaurants. Sichuan, Cantonese, hot pot, Japanese, Korean, Western chains. Better quality than the park restaurants. · ¥60-150/person · 10 min walk from Splendid China
Frequently asked questions
How much does Splendid China cost in 2026?
**Day ticket** (08:30-19:00): ¥220. **Night ticket** (19:00-21:30, summer only): ¥80. **Combined with Window of the World**: ¥360 day, ¥120 night. Children under 1.2 m free; 1.2-1.5 m ¥110 day / ¥40 night. Senior 65+ ¥110 with ID.
What is the best time to visit Splendid China?
The 14:00 Great Wall dance show is the daily highlight. Arrive by 13:00 to see the morning performances and the replicas in good light, then catch the 14:00 parade. The night show (Friday-Sunday in winter, every night in summer) is also excellent.
How long does Splendid China take?
3-4 hours for the main park (80+ replicas). 5-6 hours for the full park + China Folk Culture Village + all live shows. Combine with Window of the World for a full 8-hour day.
Is Splendid China worth it?
Yes for first-time visitors and families, especially combined with Window of the World (¥360). The 80+ Chinese landmark replicas give a quick visual tour of the country's geography. The China Folk Culture Village is unique to this park. Skip if you've been to a similar miniature park (Window of the World, Madurodam) — the Chinese replicas are the only differentiator.
What is the difference between Splendid China and Window of the World?
Splendid China focuses on **Chinese landmarks** — Great Wall, Forbidden City, Mogao Caves, Terracotta Army. Window of the World focuses on **international landmarks** — Eiffel Tower, Pyramids, Taj Mahal. They're sister parks 200m apart. Combined ticket ¥360 day is the standard 1-day Shenzhen visit.
What is the China Folk Culture Village?
A 24-village recreation of China's ethnic minority cultures inside Splendid China. Each village has a traditional house, dance performances, and craft demonstrations. The Miao silver village, Yi embroidery village, and Tibetan butter tea house are the highlights. Free with Splendid China entry.
Is Splendid China wheelchair-accessible?
Yes. The main paths are flat and paved, all 80+ replicas are reachable. The 4D cinema and the cable car are not wheelchair-accessible. Strollers are fine throughout.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Yes, on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, arrive before 10:00 AM. Trip.com discount: ¥170-200 day. Combined tickets with Window of the World are also cheaper on Trip.com (¥300-320 day).