Ethnic tourism is increasingly recognized and studied for its economic, social and cultural importance. This research employs multiple methods including interviews, surveys, informal discussions, and observations to examine the representation of multi-ethnic cultures in a wellknown ethnic theme park – Yunnan Ethnic Folk Villages (YEFV) in Yunnan, China. It is revealed that cultural representations do not exist in isolation but are intertwined in a broad social, political and economic context in which cultural images are continuously produced and consumed. Historical, political and cultural discourses influence how minority people are represented in the attraction. It is argued that effective ethnic involvement in managing cultural display and tourist attractions is essential for the sustainable development of ethnic tourism.