Kunming Dwarf Park: Empowering or discriminatory

Dwarf residents at Kunming's Dwarf Empire play cards with each other in their dormitories. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Employees live on site in purpose built dormitories (the mushroom houses are just for show) making simple tasks such as brushing teeth or cooking easier; sinks, among other things, are customized to a special height. Males live on the first floor, female live on the second floor and couples live in studio rooms.

"We hope that the dwarfs can have a sense of community here and get a feeling of home," said a senior from the park.

One thing both critics and supporters agree on though, is the fact that the park is inundated with job applications, highlighting the lack of opportunities for disabled people in China.

The company plans to expand its permanent working staff from around 100, to more than 2,000.

Liu Jiexia, a 24-year-old park employee from Yunnan's Yuanmou county left home and came to the park without telling any relatives.