"Too Bizarre and Scary"... Chinese Theme Park Removes 'Three-Faced Girl' and 'Human Centipede' Sculptures After Controversy

Photos of Sculptures Spread on Social Media, Sparking Controversy
Theme Park: "Immediate Removal in Response to Visitor Feedback"

A theme park in China faced controversy over bizarre sculptures, leading to the removal of the problematic installations and an official apology.

A sculpture installed in a theme park in China was removed after sparking controversy for its bizarre appearance. Photo by Hongseong News

According to the state-run English-language media outlet Global Times on October 13, Land of Wilderness, a theme park located in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, issued a statement saying, "We apologize for any discomfort the sculptures may have caused some visitors."

In its statement, the theme park emphasized, "We value the opinions and feedback of our visitors and are taking immediate corrective action." It also stated, "Some of the controversial pieces have already been removed."

Previously, photos of the park's sculptures, including the "Human Centipede" and "Three-Faced Girl," circulated on local social media, sparking controversy. In the photos, the "Three-Faced Girl" sculpture features a central face with closed eyes, flanked on either side by faces with open eyes, all connected. The "Human Centipede" depicts a large head with human facial features at the front, followed by a series of bodies with small arms and legs reminiscent of infants, all attached in a chain-like formation.

Chinese internet users expressed discomfort, describing the sculptures as surreal and bizarre. Some commented, "It's creepy," and "It's too much for children to see." However, others viewed the installations as unique photo opportunities and considered the space to be creative.

As the controversy continued, a representative from the theme park told Hongseong News, "The park was designed to express children's innocence and playful imagination. While some sculptures may appear unusual, they are popular among children and well-suited for photography."

The representative added, "Whether a sculpture is perceived as scary or bizarre depends on individual interpretation," and noted, "So far, there have not been many visitors who have said they were genuinely shocked or found the sculptures exceptionally strange."

Meanwhile, some have pointed out that criticism of the sculptures intensified after certain bloggers manipulated the color tones of the photos. An employee from the theme park told ChinaNews.com, "While we acknowledge that some installations have exaggerated features, other areas of the park look great for photos on clear days. We recommend that visitors gather sufficient information before deciding to visit."