Favorite World Showcase Pavilion | Focused on the Magic : Favorite World Showcase Pavilion

Tuesday

Favorite World Showcase Pavilion

The World Showcase is the best part of Epcot for me. I love that I can tour the world (11 countries of it) in an afternoon experiencing foreign cultures and dining on exotic cuisine. Each pavilion is a unique experience and tough to compare. Picking one favorite is sort of like choosing a favorite dessert. It depends quite a bit on my mood. 


While I was writing a post last week, Epcot's Hidden Treasures, I realized just how much I enjoy visiting The China Pavilion. The atmosphere, art, cuisine, culture and beautiful architecture intrigues me and one day I hope to visit the real China - Ni hao (nee HOW)


The China Pavilion opened with Epcot in 1982. Since then guests have entered the pavilion through a large classic Paifang gate. This gate is beautiful to look at during the daytime with it's elaborate design, but at night during Illuminations with the fireworks bursting behind it, it glows.


Pin It

When you walk into the pavilion you will notice the The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest in the center with Chinese garden waterscapes surrounding it creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. It's so nice to just relax and take in the scenery and atmosphere.
Attractions: The centerpiece of the pavilion is the three-tiered, circular Temple of Heaven which is a one-half scale reproduction of the original, built in 1420, during the Ming dynasty. It was visited annually by the Ming and Qing emperors to pray to the God of Heaven for good harvests inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.



Each pillar represents a season. The blue tiles represent the sky and green the earth. The acoustics inside the dome are amazing. If you stand in the center (there's a cobble stone placed there) you can hear whispering throughout the room and hear yourself as others would hear you.


Reflections of China is a movie presentation about China, it's people, cities and countryside that is projected on 9 screens in a panorama giving guest a 360º viewing experience. Circle-Vision 360 is breathtaking as you soar to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.


In 2006 the Tomb Warriors: Guardian Spirits of Ancient China exhibit in The House of the Whispering Willows gallery was added to The China Pavilion.


The exhibit is a display of Chinese burial art. The Tomb Warriors are scaled versions of those found in the first Emperor's tomb that dates back 2,000 years. 


Dining:
There are two dining locations in The China Pavilion. Nine Dragons is a table service restaurant that I really enjoy. The menu is here, thanks to AllEars.
We've always been very pleased with the service and food. The price is right too! Especially the Tsingtao Beer!!!
The Lotus Blossom Cafe is and indoor/outdoor counter serve restaurant. You can find the menu here, again thanks to AllEars. I enjoy the food here and sitting outside in the courtyard looking down the walkway you really feel like you're in China. Try the Pot Stickers!!!







Shopping:
I enjoy strolling leisurely, taking pictures enjoying the atmosphere but I also like to shop at 
The Yong Feng Shangdian ("Bountiful Harvest") gallery. I love browsing the fine silk robes and genuine Chinese jade figurines, rosewood furniture, rugs, clothing, silk items, toys and collectibles. I always find interesting  souvenirs to bring home.

Entertainment:
The China Pavilion was host to a music video which I posted here.

The Dragon Legend Acrobats - These young students of the Pu Yang school acrobatic perform gravity defying feats with plates tables chairs and each other. Perfectly choreographed and precisely synchronized. Unfortunately, I understand they may not be entertaining in the World Showcase in the future. I hope I'm wrong. They are amazing!





17 comments:

  1. john.watson607:35 AM

    Hi,
          I like it so much.Thanks for share
    psd to html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heidi7:38 AM

    What a fabulously informative post with great pictures (as always).  I love the egg rolls! 

    ReplyDelete
  3. DebSays7:42 AM

    Thanks Heidi! The egg rolls are so good :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ok Deb, I give.  What camera/lens are you using?  Those are fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wendy Neeld9:14 AM

    Mmm, great post.  I love the China pavillion; it's a restful spot to me, and the CMs are always wonderful. And the store...oh, I can spend SO much money in that store.  Thanks for sharing - you made me smile this morning, just thinking about the pavilion.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoy stopping to watch the dancers also!

    ReplyDelete
  7. DebSays9:46 AM

    Lol, Thanks Mary! The outdoor shots were probably shot the Nikon D200 with a Nikkor 18-200VR lens.  Inside could've been with the Nikkor 50mm 1.2 or the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and probably the D200 body. 
    I'd have to check the originals exif info for details but that's my best guess. Thanks for asking:) 

    ReplyDelete
  8. DebSays9:48 AM

    Thanks Wendy, I find it relaxing too. Especially the water features...

    ReplyDelete
  9. DebSays9:50 AM

    Thanks, Deej for reminding me! I forgot to mention the entertainers around the holidays. The storyteller is amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mouse Fan Diane11:33 AM

    Awesome post Debs, I love the acrobats. But I have never seen the movie, next time I will make time for it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beth D. e1:35 PM

    This is definitely one pavilion I have not taken the time to truly appreciate. But I will be on my next trip after reading this. Beautiful photos as always!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cooking with Mickey8:40 PM

    That's a beautiful photo of the temple.  I love how during the Flower and Garden Festival they place Zodiac animal throughout the pavilion. Have you seen those?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Woo hoo!  I just got a Canon 50mm 1.4.  This just makes me giddy thinking about using it over at the China pavilion. 

    ReplyDelete
  14. DebSays4:49 AM

    Congratulations on your new lens! Oh, you are going to have so much fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. DebSays4:53 AM

    The acrobats may not be there next time unfortunately. Rumor has they didn't renew their contract:( The movie is well worth seeing...and it's a cool spot too:)

    ReplyDelete
  16. DebSays4:55 AM

    Thanks Beth:) Isn't wonderful that no matter how many time you visit WDW there's always something new to explore?

    ReplyDelete
  17. DebSays4:59 AM

    Oh yes! The China pavilion has the best display of all the countries for The Flower & Garden Festival. They really go all out!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...