Made of Chocolate

The Great Wall of China, Terracotta warriors and the Mogao Grottoes are now no longer only great things to see, but they can also be eaten - in chocolate.

Tourists and residents in Beijing are expected to visit the delicious park made of chocolate as the long-awaited Chocolate Wonderland opened to the public today.

The park displays the 5,000-year Chinese civilization, including the Great Wall of China and the grand cluster of terracotta warriors.

Walking through the lollipop jungle and being dazzled by the flowing chocolate waterfall, visitors will note that the chocolate-theme park brings Willy Wonka's exceptional chocolate factory back to life.

Located in northern Beijing near the Bird's Nest Stadium, the 20,000-sq-m Chocolate Wonderland features five temperature-controlled indoor venues.

They are the World's Chocolate Hall, The Chocolate Theme Hall, the World Candy Hall, and two outdoor sites including the Sweet Shopping Street, said Lin Zhengzong, chief designer of the project.

Two highlights of the chocolate show are the 10-m long Great Wall, made of solid dark chocolate bricks stuck together, and the mini-army of 560 chocolate Terracotta Warriors.

The show used up to 80 tons of chocolate, according to Lin.

"It is more than a simple candy exhibition, but a grand display of artwork," he said.

"Our exhibits, made by skillful craftsmen, will totally change the stereotype that people have about chocolate," said Tina Zheng, general manager of the show.

"Chocolate is the best thing to bridge the East and the West, the young and the old."

In the World Candy Hall, for example, organizers display candies with various shapes and flavors from 21 countries all over the world, such as cane candies from US, maple candies from Canada, skull sugar from Mexico, durian candies from Malaysia and candied haws on sticks from China.

"By showing a world tour of chocolate products and sweets, visitors will be able to learn the history of their favorite candies and make chocolate and taste their own creations on the site," Zheng said.

The park, which opens from today, will last three months. The first 500 visitors will get a chocolate brick as a gift.

Visitors who come to park on Valentine's Day, which coincides with the first day of the Chinese New Year, will be offered some surprises, Zheng said.

"We hope through our show, visitors of all ages will become more familiar with chocolate and the excitement it brings," she said.