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Years of research, including many staff trips, went into making the Take Me There:® China exhibit. In this blog series, you'll see how we were inspired by the people, places, and traditions of modern China as we recreated these top ten exhibit highlights. You'll also get a snapshot of what your family will experience in these extraordinary spaces—brought to you straight from our exhibit developers!
In People's Park, your family can experience how Chinese people and communities come together in public parks to socialize, play games, practice Tai’ Chi, or listen to music. With the Shaolin Temple as your backdrop and the leafy branches of the People's Park tree overhead, your family can gather in this central space within Take Me There: China for immersive experiences as well as casual activities like Chinese games!
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People's Park in Beijing, China.
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People's Park in Take Me There: China.
Try your hand at playing a traditional Chinese instrument. Explore the difference between traditional Chinese and Western music by playing an authentic traditional Chinese stringed instrument, such as a guzheng (a 21-stringed mandolin) or a pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute). Hear staff demonstrate Chinese (pentatonic) and Western (heptatonic) scales as they remove notes from a glockenspiel. Understanding traditional Chinese music and its use of the pentatonic scale show the importance placed upon harmony in Chinese society.
Play Chinese games in the park. While in People's Park, your family will see and play authentic Chinese games, while also hearing stories about how different generations use public parks in China. Games include Chinese checkers, Mah Jong, Tai-chi ball, sun dia (Chinese yo-yo), and Jian-zi (feathered hacky sack).
Immerse yourself in People's Park. Through a series of Cultural Immersion Programs, your family will be introduced to Chinese culture while learning about the similarities and differences in how people live. These immersive programs rotate throughout the year to provide new experiences depending on the season.
- Shaolin Kung fu (May–Aug.): In the Shaolin Temple your family will be introduced to the meanings and movements of Shaolin Kung fu martial arts. Practice the fundamental movements of Shaolin Kung-fu and learn basic Kung fu excercises that you can then show off with music outside the Temple.
- Chinese Shadow Puppets (Sept.–Dec.): Explore how Chinese shadow puppets operate and receive a behind the scenes look at some of the puppeteer’s illusions. Then, with lights dimmed, perform in People's Park for the whole gallery to see and enjoy!
- Chinese New Year (Jan.–Apr.):Count down from ten as theChinese New Year Gala plays on televisions in the family homes. Then celebrate the Chinese New Year with a traditional dragon dance as everyone participates by parading with the dragon through People's Park.
Catch up on all of the Take Me There: China Top 10, or read up on staff adventures in China in our Creative Director's blog series: "Ned's Excellent China Adventure," Part 1 and Part 2.
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