About the Kingdom of the Little People
China’s Kingdom of the Little People: A Bizarre Amusement Park in Kunming
November 2015: China is a vast and ancient country filled with wonder, and ever since spending a summer living in Shanghai in 1995, I’ve been on a mission to explore as much of it as possible. One of the things I love about China is its ability to challenge cultural norms, often in ways that would be unthinkable elsewhere.
One such place that epitomizes this is the Kingdom of the Little People in Kunming, a southern Chinese city known for its pleasant climate and laid-back atmosphere. This controversial theme park, created by a wealthy Chinese entrepreneur, is a fairy tale-like world designed to showcase dwarfs—people no taller than 51 inches (roughly four feet). Unlike anything that would exist in the U.S. or most other countries, the park employs hundreds of dwarfs, who not only work there but also live on-site in brightly colored, mushroom-shaped houses—though supposedly, these homes are just for show.
Stepping into the park feels like entering a surreal medieval fantasy. The residents dress in King Arthur-esque costumes—knights, jesters, princesses, and even a king, who sports a regal robe and a pair of Top Gun-style aviator sunglasses. The attractions range from musical performances and choreographed dances to tightrope walking and motorcycle stunts on miniature bikes. It’s a spectacle unlike any other, blurring the lines between entertainment and exploitation.
Despite its whimsical appearance, the park has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it creates a “human zoo” atmosphere. However, the park’s founder insists that it provides a safe community and employment opportunities for people who would otherwise struggle to find work. In China, where the one-child policy was long in effect, many dwarfs have faced abandonment, discrimination, and unemployment.
Regardless of one’s perspective, the Kingdom of the Little People is an undeniably unique, controversial, and thought-provoking destination—one that must be seen to be believed.
Location of Kunming
A Curious Detour: Visiting Kunming’s Kingdom of the Little People
On our way to the Maldives and southern India, I deliberately planned a two-day stopover in Kunming for one very specific reason—to visit the Kingdom of the Little People. It was a destination so bizarre and controversial that I couldn’t resist the detour.
Paula and I booked a modest guesthouse in the city, the kind of no-frills accommodation common in China where English is virtually non-existent. Communicating with the owners required some creativity, and we relied heavily on Google Translate to get by. When we explained that we wanted to visit a kingdom of little people, their reaction was unforgettable—they burst into laughter, giggling in disbelief. Despite living in Kunming, they had never heard of such a place.
Intrigued, they offered to drive us there themselves. What started as a simple request for transport turned into an impromptu adventure with our hosts, who were now just as curious as we were to see what this so-called kingdom was all about. The park was located about an hour outside of the city, nestled in a rural landscape far removed from Kunming’s urban sprawl. As we made our way there, I couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly were we about to walk into?
It was bound to be an experience unlike any other.
Fairy Tale Murals
Disneylike Castle
A Surreal Entrance into the Kingdom of the Little People
The weirdness began the moment we arrived. Towering above the entrance gate was a Disney-like castle perched on a hill, its pastel-colored spires creating a whimsical—yet slightly eerie—atmosphere. Surrounding it were billboards featuring dwarfs dressed in medieval costumes, striking exaggerated poses like characters from a fairy tale. But unlike Disneyland, where crowds flood through the gates in eager anticipation, this place felt eerily quiet.
Aside from a dozen or so Chinese tourists, the park was nearly empty. It felt as if we had stumbled upon a forgotten amusement park, frozen in time. At the ticket booth, a little person sold us our entry passes for about five U.S. dollars, while our Chinese hosts—who had driven us here out of sheer curiosity—were already snapping photos of everything in sight, seemingly more enthralled by the place than we were.
As we stepped through the gates, we couldn’t help but feel an odd mix of excitement and bewilderment. It was as if we had entered a parallel universe—one that defied logic, cultural expectations, and modern sensibilities. There was a strange, childlike joy in the air, the kind you might feel when first walking into Disneyland and laying eyes on Mickey Mouse. But here, instead of Mickey, we were about to meet a court of jesters, knights, and a king with aviator sunglasses—real people performing in a kingdom designed just for them.
Dinasaurs
Beyond the Kingdom: Dinosaurs, Butterflies, and Archery
As if a medieval-themed little people kingdom wasn’t unusual enough, the park also featured an odd assortment of additional attractions—replica dinosaurs and a butterfly exhibit. It was as if the creators of the Kingdom of the Little People weren’t quite sure what would draw visitors, so they threw in a bit of everything.
We skipped the butterflies and dinosaurs, uninterested in generic theme park fillers, and went straight for some of the other experiences. One of the first we came across was an archery exhibit, where visitors could test their aim under the watchful eyes of park employees dressed in medieval attire. The juxtaposition of knights, jesters, and plastic dinosaurs in the background made for an utterly surreal setting.
Scattered throughout the park were food stands, but instead of the typical theme park staples like funnel cakes, foot-long hot dogs, and burgers, the offerings were distinctly Chinese. Vendors sold instant rice bowls, various noodle dishes, and, of course, bottles of Tsingtao beer. The scent of stir-fried dishes wafted through the air, a reminder that despite the fairy tale trappings, we were very much in China.
As we wandered deeper into the park, we couldn’t help but wonder—what other bizarre spectacles awaited us?
What kind of midievel kingdom doesn’t have dragons
Houses of the Little People
Among the Mushroom Houses: A Complex Reality
We strolled through the village of oversized mushroom-shaped houses, the whimsical dwellings that made up the heart of the Kingdom of the Little People. Some of the houses appeared purely decorative, while others were occupied by employees who seemed to be relaxing in between performances.
A few Chinese visitors enthusiastically posed for selfies with the residents, treating them almost like theme park mascots. Paula and I, however, refrained. We had mixed feelings about the entire experience—on one hand, it was undeniably fascinating, but on the other, it felt uncomfortably voyeuristic. The last thing we wanted was to contribute to any sense of exploitation.
Yet, as we observed the employees interacting, the situation didn’t seem as clear-cut as critics often described it. Many of the park’s residents appeared happy, laughing among themselves, joking with visitors, and even playing with children. It wasn’t the somber, oppressive environment one might expect if the park were truly a “human zoo.” Instead, it felt more like a tight-knit community, one where people had carved out a unique space for themselves, however unconventional it might be.
Could the Kingdom of the Little People be exploitative? Possibly. But was it also providing a home, a livelihood, and a sense of belonging to those who might otherwise struggle to find opportunities in Chinese society? That, too, seemed true.
The deeper we wandered into this surreal world, the more complex it became.
Paula in front of one of the Houses
A Kingdom Without a Crowd
The Kingdom of the Little People had an undeniably strange energy. Despite the elaborate setup—the fairy tale castle, the mushroom houses, and the costumed performers—there were hardly any visitors. In fact, it felt as if there were more employees than paying guests.
I couldn’t help but wonder how the park was staying afloat. There was little sign of a profitable business model at work. The tickets were cheap, the attractions were limited, and the food stands weren’t exactly raking in cash. It was difficult to imagine how the park could sustain itself, let alone expand.
Yet, the park’s owner supposedly had grand ambitions. There were rumors of expansion plans, increased marketing efforts, and the hope that Kingdom of the Little People could eventually attract more tourists. Whether that vision would ever materialize, however, was another question entirely.
As we continued exploring, I found myself wondering what the future held for this bizarre place. Would it grow into something bigger, or would it fade into obscurity like so many other eccentric ventures in China? Only time would tell.
Paula in the archery exhibit
Tight rope walking
Park employee playing with a curious chinese child
The Kingdom Takes the Stage
The park’s main attraction was the dance show, led by the Dwarf King in his royal cape and aviator sunglasses. His troupe performed an eclectic mix of songs, from the Olympics theme to Metallica and Gangnam Style, creating a surreal yet oddly captivating spectacle.
It was a bizarre blend of fantasy and entertainment—both fascinating and perplexing. Whether the Kingdom of the Little People was exploitative or empowering remained unclear, but one thing was certain—it was an experience unlike any other.
Behold the King
Dance Performance
Butterfly Girl Performance
Opening Performance to the Olympics Theme Song
Leaving the Kingdom
After a few hours, we had seen enough. The Kingdom of the Little People was fascinating, bizarre, and at times, borderline uncomfortable. It left us with more questions than answers.
But if the residents were truly happy and free to come and go—as the park claimed—who was I to judge? Some experiences simply defy easy conclusions, and this was one of them.