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China pavilion
Epcot salutes the beauty, history and culture of China
with one of the 11 pavilions that make up World Showcase. From the
striking landscape and the half-size Temple of Heaven . . . to the
tasty dining and fascinating entertainment, the pavilion provides
Walt Disney World guests an opportunity to explore the land of China.
The gateway to the China pavilion is The Gate of the
Golden Sun and is based on the beautifully styled main gate at the
summer palace of Beijing. The most visually prominent feature of
the pavilion is the half-size Temple of Heaven, which symbolizes
the Chinese universe. Inside Epcot's Temple of Heaven is a Circle-Vision
360 theater that features the film, "Reflections of China,"
which gives guests a guided glimpse into Chinese history and culture.
A serene landscape depicts a garden typical to China. The plants
are designed to look naturally placed rather than neatly organized.
Also included: water -- the one essential in every Chinese garden.
Water is usually still and frequently has water plants such as lilies
or lotuses growing in it. To show how the Chinese respect age in
their gardens, Disney landscape architects selected trees with "corkscrew"
trunks or with "weeping" branches. Trees that are native
to China that can be found in the pavilion include a weeping mulberry;
a runner bamboo and tallow tree, a plant with waxy fruit traditionally
used to make candles.
Chinese gardens follow completely different rules than those of
the West. “In Chinese gardening, there’s no central plan,” Darden
says. “Someone once said that if you want to create a Chinese garden
you could fly the plants up in a plane and push them out of the
window and wherever they land is where you plant them.” Things in
the garden don’t appear disorganized -- just naturally placed. For
example, the grass in the China pavilion is not mowed, but allowed
to grow naturally producing a tufted appearance.
The one essential in every Chinese garden is water. As Darden explains,
an old Chinese saying states that “A garden without water is like
a portrait of a lady with her eyes closed.” The water is usually
still and frequently has water plants such as lilies or lotuses
growing in it. The lilies at the China pavilion actually grow in
containers placed underwater.
The Chinese respect age and want their gardens to appear old. Disney
landscape architects have selected trees with “corkscrew” trunks
or with “weeping” branches to help give the gardens a mature look.
Here, a weeping mulberry -- one of the most impressive trees in
Epcot -- can be found near the Nine Dragons Restaurant entrance.
Other interesting trees native to China are the tallow tree, a plant
with waxy fruit traditionally used to make candles and one of the
few that changes colors in Florida’s fall, and the runner bamboo.
Also at the China pavilion are large rocks on the water side of
the promenade. The Chinese like to create “surprising views” throughout
their landscapes as experienced by looking through the holes in
the rocks toward the water.
Land of Many Faces -- This intriguing gallery exhibit takes a look
at the diverse worlds of the Miao, Naxi, Yi and Mongolians, four
highly distinct cultures within China. Land of Many Faces touches
on each of their stories, presenting unique clothing, handcrafted
objects, ancient instruments and wedding outfits along with images
of their environments.
Dragon Legend Acrobats -- Guests will be dazzled by the ability
of these talented tumbling, high-climbing acrobats. These entertainers,
straight from China, present a variety of mouth-dropping acts for
everyone's enjoyment. Show times vary so guests should check their
Epcot Times Guide.
Si Xian -- These Chinese musicians delight guests by performing
classical sounds on authentic instruments. Show times vary daily.
Yong Feng Shangdian -- Guests step inside this huge Asian bazaar
and discover a wonderful range of items representing Chinese culture
and art. There are Yixing teapots, brocade pajamas and butterfly
hair combs plus everything from T-shirts emblazoned with Chinese
zodiac signs . . . to a jade statue of a Chinese sailing ship. The
calligraphy on the curtains wishes passersby good fortune, long
life, prosperity and happiness. China also has a marketplace with
an assortment of items such as hand-painted umbrellas, silk ties,
lanterns and collectible porcelain dolls with kimonos.
Dining
Epicurean adventures into five Chinese provinces await World Showcase
travelers under one roof in the 250-seat Nine
Dragons Restaurant.
The Nine Dragons is located within a
12,000-square-foot building next door to "Yong Feng Shangdian" shopping
gallery along China Showcase's "Street of Good Fortune." Next door,
the 200-seat Lotus Blossom Cafe offers counter-service.
In addition to the familiar Moo Gu Gai Pan and sweet and sour pork,
the Nine Dragons menu offers everything from sirloin to lobster
prepared Cantonese-style. There's also Treasure Duck, braised and
lightly fried; honey-roasted Chinese spareribs; and an entree of
stir-fried grouper and fresh garden vegetables.
Kiangche-style entrees include stir-fried scallops and vegetables.
Szechuan/Hunan-style entrees feature chicken, shrimp and lobster
brought to life with hot peppers and spicy sauces.
Lotus Blossom Café -- Guests also can get delicious Chinese
cuisine at this counter-service restaurant. The featured item is
a combination platter that includes stir-fried beef and garden vegetables,
egg roll and fried rice.
Reflections
of China
The featured attraction at the pavilion, "Reflections
of China," is a Circle-Vision 360 film that gives guests a
guided glimpse into the beauty of China from its rich ancient heritage
to present day. Scenes from the film include the Great Wall at Jimshanling,
Hong Kong and a Shanghai montage. Circle-Vision 360 is the Disney-designed
film system which uses nine 35mm cameras fitted to a camera pod
to film a 360-degree view. The film is then projected on nine movie
screens on the perimeter of a circular theater in which viewers
stand and peer at wonders all around. "Reflections of China"
debuted at Epcot in May 2003, replacing "Wonders of China,"
which had been showing in the theater since the park opened in 1982.
Audience must stand throughout.
Type - film
When to go - go anytime
Duration - 20 mins
Restrictions
Guests may remain in wheelchairs or ECVs to experience the attraction.
Because of the unique 360-degree format of this presentation, guests
may experience the sensation of movement.
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