Changes

When planning Throughout the initial development of World Showcase, two communist countries were interested in sponsoring their own pavilion, - the Soviet Union and China<ref name= "jack"> http://land. The Soviet Union however, demanded that communist ideals be presented in allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/china_pavilion_part_one_1.html </ref>. Unlike the pavilionUSSR, which Disney balked at. China on wanted to integrate the other handideals of communism into their pavilion, China was more then willing to present it's countries showcase its history and culture without involving politicsideology <ref name= "jack"/>. Plans for Despite this, Disney did not originally plan on having China be in an opening day pavilion <ref name= "Martin2"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=966 </ref>. Instead, the plot of land that would eventually hold the China pavilion called for was occupied at various times by a CircleVision 360 named [[Wonders of ChinaScandinavian Showcase]]. In order to create the filmpavilion, Disney entered into negotiations with the Chinesea Costa Rica pavilion, over what they could and could not filmor even left empty <ref name= "Martin2"/>. Although initially hampered by strict restrictionsBy 1979, they were eventually able to acquire more freedom. Filming began in the summer of 1981 with both American and Chinese crews working Imagineers planned on constructing a [[Morocco]] pavilion on the projectplot<ref name= "Martin2"/>. Chinese film crews As these plans were used pushed to film the sensitive areas (such as Tibet or the Great Wall) which the Chinese government did not want Westerners to go. Filming concluded in 1982back-burner however, and the attraction China was ready pushed to the forefront and would now be built in time for Epcot[[EPCOT Center]]'s opening day.

The China pavilion opened on October 1, 1982 with In order to help showcase the rest of World Showcase. Besides the Wonders diversity of China film, plans for the pavilion also included two shops, various gardens, and museum housing Chinese artifacts. The center piece of the pavilion is called for a replica of the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvests, which is part of the Temple of Heaven complex located Southeast of central Beijing. The replica was built at 1/2 scale, and designed so that guests enter the Temple before seeing the CircleVision 360 film called [[Wonders of China film. The first change to the pavilion came when in 1985 when a new restaurant was constructed. One of the gardens located near where [[Norway]] is today, was originally going to be used as a transition from China to the planned Denmark pavilionfilmed. When plans for Denmark were scrapped, To create the garden was replaced by two restaurantsmovie, the Nine Dragons Disney entered negotiations with Chinese government over where they could and the Lotus Blossom Cafecould not film <ref name= "Spence2"> http://land. Both restaurants official opened on October 24allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/02/china_pavilion_part_two.html </ref> Although Disney, 1985m and both serve traditional Chinese food. Since 1985director Jeff Blyth, the only other major change to the pavilion came in 2003were initially given tight filming restrictions, when the CircleVision 360 film Wonders of company and China was updated. New scenes and narration were added eventually came to an agreement where Chinese film crews would film the movie and when the film reopened, it was renamed "Reflections of China". In 2007 both of Chinacountry's restaurantsmore “sensitive” areas, where the Nine Dragons government did not want Westerners to go (such as Tibet and the Lotus Blossom Cafe were renovatedGreat Wall) <ref name= "Spence2"/>. During [[Image:Chinapavilionconcept.jpg|400px|thumb|Concept art for the refurbishment, both facades were re-themed to make the restaurants appear more modernChina pavilion. ]]

==Current Pavilion Layout==The entrance to China is decorated by three large rocks and several stone benches. This was donepavilion opened with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, to represent the ancient Chinese believe that unusal rock forms brought inner peace and serenity1982. Guests enter When the pavilion by walking beneath opened it featured the Zhao Yan Men (meaning "Gate aforementioned CircleVision attraction [[Wonders of China]], as well as two shops, various gardens and House of the Golden Sun)Whispering Willows gallery, which would eventually house authentic Chinese artifacts. The center piece of the China pavilion is a replica of a gate found at the Summer PalaceHall of Prayer and Good Harvests, which is part of the Temple of Heaven complex located nine miles north southeast of central Beijing. After entering, guests can see a lotus pool surronded by a typical Chinese Garden. The main walkway replica found in China is known as the Street of Good Fortune. The street pavilion was inspired by the roadways found in Beijing. In fact, Disney Imagineers intentionally made the path more narrow then guest capacity would dictate, in order have built at ½ scale and designed so that guests experience the crowded conditions of China. As mentioned above, guests can had to enter the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvests to view the film, Reflections before seeing [[Wonders of China. Also located in the Hall is The House of the Whispering Willows gallery, which features various Chinese exhibits]].

In total, their are currently three dining locations in China, The Nine Dragons first major addition to the China pavilion came in 1983 when the Yong Feng Shang Dian (a table service restaurantBountiful Harvest)store opened <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/yong-feng-shangdian </ref>. The following April, the Lotus Blossom Cafe (a counter service restaurant) and House of the Joy Whispering Willows gallery got over fifty artifacts from the Republic of Tea stand which sells slushiesChina's Palace Museum <ref> http://www.mainstgazette.com/2012/04/treasures-of-forbidden-city.html </ref>. Throughout the pavilion's history, ice creamthe contents housed within the gallery have changed. When the China pavilion opened in 1982, BBQ pork, curry chicken pockets the land adjacent to it was initially earmarked for the planned [[Denmark]] pavilion and alcholic beveragesfeatured only manicured lawns. If you are looking When plans for authentic Chinese merchandisethat pavilion fell through however, visit The House the China pavilion was expanded <ref name= "martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=414 </ref>. As part of Good Fortunethe mid 1980s expansion, which sells everything from Chinese tea to valuable works of art. Another shopping locationon September 24, Good Fortune Gifts1985, sells Chinese puppets among other authentic merchandisethe counter service [[Lotus Blossom Café]] opened. ==Current Attractions<ref name="martin"/> This was shortly followed by the opening of the table service restaurant [[Nine Dragons]] on October 23, 1985 <ref name="martin"/>.

'''The next major change to hit the China pavilion came in 2003, when Wonders of China was updated. New scenes and a new narration were added to the film, before it reopened to the public on May 22, 2003 as [[Reflections of China''']] <ref name= "martin"/>. Subsequently in September 2007, the Joy of Tea stand opened in the pavilion <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/803/Walt- This CircleVision 360 filmDisney-World/Epcot/World-Showcase--China/Joy-of-Tea </ref>. In 2008, gives guests a breathtaking tour both of China's restaurants- [[Nine Dragons]] and the [[Lotus Blossom Cafe]] were renovated. The entrance During the refurbishment, both facades were rethemed to make the film is located inside restaurants appear more modern <ref name= "martin"/>. A similar refurbishment then took place in 2011 for the Hall of Prayer pavilion’s shopping venues <ref name= "Shangdian"> http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/yong-feng-shangdian/news/04apr2011-epcot's-china-pavilion-shop-reopens-with-a-new-name-and -all-new-store-layout.htm </ref> <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/china/news/06may2011-'the-china-marketplace'-under-refurbishment-at-epcot's-china-pavilion.htm </ref>. At this time, Yong Feng Shangdian was renamed the House of Good HarvestFortune and given a new layout, decor, and merchandise <ref name= "Shangdian"/>.

At the 2017 D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering''''Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure'''s Vice President and Senior Creative Executive Tom Fitzgerald announced that Disney would be creating a new Circle- On this interactive adventureVision film for the China pavilion. According to Disney, guests can grab the new film will be the first shot using a communicator and travel around World Showcase "next-generation digital camera system" <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/new-film-at-china-pavilion-in-epcot-will-feature-new-technology/ </ref>. Subsequently, on August 25, 2019, Disney announced that a new film titled Wondrous China would be coming to help Kim and Ron save the world! The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure takes place in every one China pavilion, although an opening date was not announced <ref> https://wdwmagic.com/attractions/reflections-of -china/news/26aug2019-the World Showcase countries-china-pavilions-new-movie-to-be-titled-wondrous-china.htm </ref>.

==RestaurantsCurrent Pavilion Layout=='''Nine Dragons'''- The entrance to the China pavilion is decorated by three large rocks and several stone benches. This table service restaurant offers was done to represent the ancient Chinese belief that unusual rock formations brought inner peace and serenity. Guests then enter the pavilion by walking beneath the Zhao Yan Men (meaning "Gate of the Golden Sun), a traditional replica of a gate found at the Summer Palace, which is located nine miles north of central Beijing. After entering the pavilion guests come across a lotus pool surrounded by a typical Chinese mealgarden. Nine Dragons features cuisine from Continuing on, guests walk down the four regions pavilion’s main walkway, the “Street of China: SzechuanGood Fortune”, Cantonesewhich was inspired by the roadways found in Beijing. In fact, Mandarin and KiangcheDisney Imagineers intentionally made the path more narrow than guest capacity would dictate; in order have guests experience the crowded conditions of modern China.

'''Lotus Blossom Cafe'''- The Lotus Blossom Cafe specializes in stir fry China pavilion is home to the Hall of Prayer and other Good Harvests, which guests must enter to view [[Reflections of China]]. Also located in the Hall is the House of the Whispering Willows gallery, which features various authentic Chinese dishesexhibits. Located next to The China pavilion features three dining locations- [[Nine Dragons, the ]] (a table service restaurant is ), [[Lotus Blossom Cafe]] (a counter service typerestaurant) and the [[Joy of Tea]] stand. Finally, China also houses to two shops, The House of Good Fortune and Good Fortune Gifts which both sell authentic Chinese merchandise.

==Current Attractions==[[Image:ChinaReflectionsofChina.jpg|400px|thumb|Reflections of China can be found in the China pavilion.]]'''Joy [[Reflections of TeaChina]]'''- This quaint stand CircleVision 360 film gives guests a breathtaking tour of China. The entrance to the film is located on inside the shore Hall of the World Showcase Lagoon. Besides just selling tea Prayer and refreshments, guests can also grab a Chinese snack or a slushie hereGood Harvest.

==Shopping=Restaurants=='''[[Nine Dragons Restaurant]]'''- This table service restaurant offers a traditional Chinese meal. Nine Dragons features cuisine from the four regions of China: Szechuan, Cantonese, Mandarin and Kiangche.

'''House of Good Fortune[[Lotus Blossom Cafe]]'''- The main shop Lotus Blossom Cafe specializes in the China pavilionstir fry and other Chinese dishes. Located next to Nine Dragons, the House of Good Fortune as a wide variety of authentic Chinese merchandiserestaurant is counter service.

''' Good Fortune GiftsJoy of Tea'''- Although this outdoor shop is much smaller then This quaint stand located on the House shore of Good Fortune, guests can buy authentic Chinese puppets, among other merchandise herethe World Showcase Lagoon specializes in various teas.

==Live EntertainmentShopping==

'''Dragon Legend AcrobatsHouse of Good Fortune''' Young performers from the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobatics in China entertain daily - The main shop in the China pavilion, the House of Good Fortune offers a wide variety of authentic Chinese merchandise.

==Live Entertainment=='''MulanJeweled Dragon Acrobats-'''- Mulan can often be found Young performers from the Pu Yang Academy of Acrobatics in China entertain daily in the China pavilion, usually near the Lotus Blossom Cafe. (Common)

* If you guests stand in the center of the Hall of whateverPrayer and Good Harvests, your their voice will ehco echo off of the ceiling and come back to you!them <ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2014/03/disney-twenty-something-china-pavilion/ </ref>.

* A mulberry tree was selected for the pavilion's garden to represent China's silk industry<ref name= "jack"/>.

* The garden itself was inspired found by those the gardens found in Suzhou, a large city near Shanghai<ref name= "jack"/>.

* MushuSI XIAN, from a traditional Chinese Folk group formerly performed inside the Disney movie Mulan used to appear in Hall of Prayer and Good Harvests <ref> http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/si-xian-at-the China -china-pavilion, although the character has since been retired.846006/ </ref>.

* Inside the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvests there are twelve outer columns supporting the roof. The columns represent the twelve months of the year and the twelve year cycles of the Chinese calendar <ref name==References=="jack"/>.

http* The Street leading from the Wonders of China post-show to the World Showcase Promenade is named the "Street of the Nine Dragons" <ref> https://landwww.allearsdisneydocs.net/blogsepcot-nomenclature </jackspence/2012/02/china_pavilion_part_one_1ref>.html

http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=414=References==