Destination Forbidden Gardens
We’re going to China. It’s halfway around the world; a completely different
language and culture. The cost of getting there is high, but it’s worth it to
show our little homeschool prodigies a different way of life and new
experiences. Right?
Okay, it’s time to come down to the real world; we can’t go to China on a
hundred dollars, plus we can’t even fit it into our schedule. But we
homeschoolers are explorers, always looking for a new challenge. The
challenge is getting hands-on experiences discovering the history and culture
of China without the expense of actually going there.
We’ve discovered the next best thing right at our own back door. In Katy,
Texas, just west of Houston off I-10 is home of the Forbidden Gardens. For
$10.00 an adult and $5.00 a child you can experience a little bit of China.
This fascinating exhibit is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with guided
tours available. Always double-check if they are open as this is an outside
exhibit and may be closed for inclement weather or repairs.
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, just in time for a tour. We began our
step through time to ancient China with the tomb of the first emperor Qin
/chin/ Shihuang. Our family had just studied Qin using The Story of the
World, Vol. 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer. This exhibit was our main
focus. Qin conquered and unified other warring states into what became
China. He was considered a brutal and cruel leader, but his accomplishments
are many and worth studying. Qin began the construction of the Great Wall
and he established the type of government that China would use for the next
2000 years. He also created the “silent army” to protect him in the afterlife.
This “silent army” is one of the many items replicated in this outdoor
museum.
In 1974, farmers stumbled across a part of a terra-cotta soldier and it was
found that there more than 7000 terra-cotta soldiers just like him, or almost
like him. All the soldiers have different faces and expressions. Qin had had
these made and buried in 3 pits surrounding his tomb, there is a fourth pit,
but it was empty. These terra-cotta soldiers and their horses were to protect
him in the afterlife. Most of the exhibit soldiers are in 1/3 scale, but some are
full size. It is absolutely amazing and fascinating to look upon these soldiers
ever ready to protect their emperor.
In the 15th century, the Forbidden City was established as the center of
government for the emperor. The Forbidden City was named such, because
only a select group of people were allowed and the general population was
forbidden. The scale is 1/20 and very detailed. Definitely take the tour, as
the history and culture of this city will come alive.
There are more exhibits, a total of 10, all giving insight to the culture and life
of ancient China, including a small theatre room and a gift shop. The exhibits
were created in China and brought here. Some of the exhibits are in need of
repair and repainting as the harsh Texas sun takes its toll, but plans are
underway; another good reason to check ahead of time to see if they are
open (218/347-8000) Susan Richie
We’re going to China. It’s halfway around the world; a completely different
language and culture. The cost of getting there is high, but it’s worth it to
show our little homeschool prodigies a different way of life and new
experiences. Right?
Okay, it’s time to come down to the real world; we can’t go to China on a
hundred dollars, plus we can’t even fit it into our schedule. But we
homeschoolers are explorers, always looking for a new challenge. The
challenge is getting hands-on experiences discovering the history and culture
of China without the expense of actually going there.
We’ve discovered the next best thing right at our own back door. In Katy,
Texas, just west of Houston off I-10 is home of the Forbidden Gardens. For
$10.00 an adult and $5.00 a child you can experience a little bit of China.
This fascinating exhibit is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with guided
tours available. Always double-check if they are open as this is an outside
exhibit and may be closed for inclement weather or repairs.
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, just in time for a tour. We began our
step through time to ancient China with the tomb of the first emperor Qin
/chin/ Shihuang. Our family had just studied Qin using The Story of the
World, Vol. 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer. This exhibit was our main
focus. Qin conquered and unified other warring states into what became
China. He was considered a brutal and cruel leader, but his accomplishments
are many and worth studying. Qin began the construction of the Great Wall
and he established the type of government that China would use for the next
2000 years. He also created the “silent army” to protect him in the afterlife.
This “silent army” is one of the many items replicated in this outdoor
museum.
In 1974, farmers stumbled across a part of a terra-cotta soldier and it was
found that there more than 7000 terra-cotta soldiers just like him, or almost
like him. All the soldiers have different faces and expressions. Qin had had
these made and buried in 3 pits surrounding his tomb, there is a fourth pit,
but it was empty. These terra-cotta soldiers and their horses were to protect
him in the afterlife. Most of the exhibit soldiers are in 1/3 scale, but some are
full size. It is absolutely amazing and fascinating to look upon these soldiers
ever ready to protect their emperor.
In the 15th century, the Forbidden City was established as the center of
government for the emperor. The Forbidden City was named such, because
only a select group of people were allowed and the general population was
forbidden. The scale is 1/20 and very detailed. Definitely take the tour, as
the history and culture of this city will come alive.
There are more exhibits, a total of 10, all giving insight to the culture and life
of ancient China, including a small theatre room and a gift shop. The exhibits
were created in China and brought here. Some of the exhibits are in need of
repair and repainting as the harsh Texas sun takes its toll, but plans are
underway; another good reason to check ahead of time to see if they are
open (218/347-8000) Susan Richie
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Homeschool Travel
Resource
Resource