Naked human sculptures, giant replica genitals, a photo exhibition about sex history and sex technique workshops.

China's first sex-themed park has not even opened yet, but the controversial project has already got some people hot under the collar. Love Land will open in October in the entertainment zone near the Yangtze River in Chongqing.

People pass the gate of the sex-themed park in Chongqing. [China Daily]

Lu Xiaoqing, park manager, said Love Land would be useful for sex education and help adults "enjoy a harmonious sex life".

It will contain an exhibition about sex, including its history and practice in other countries, anti-AIDS measures and the proper use of condoms.

"We are building the park for the good of the public," Lu said.

"Sex is a taboo subject in China but people really need to have more access to information about it."

However, some people have criticized Love Land as vulgar and said that Chinese people were not ready to accept open discussions on sex.

"These things are too exposed" Liu Daiwei, a policewoman in Chongqing, said. "I will feel uncomfortable to look at them when other people are around."

Yu said the idea of building Love Land came up to him during a visit to South Korea's sex park in Jeju, a popular destination on the island.

"We hope our Love Land can also become a landmark in Chonqing when it finishes," he said.

A netizen from Shandong on popular news portal sina.com.cn wrote that Chinese people do not treat sex as boldly as foreigners.

"These vulgar sex installments will only make people sick," the person wrote.

However, others described the project as creative and brave and said there should be more discussion about sex in China.

"Chinese people are in need of sex education," a netizen in Henan wrote. "I will visit the park when I go to Chongqing. It is important to learn more about sex and improve our quality of life."

Lu said that he was prepared for Love Land to generate controversy.

"It is quite normal to see so much discussion about it," he said.

"I have found that the majority of people support my idea but I have to pay attention and not make the park look vulgar and nasty."

(China Daily May 15, 2009)