Forbidden Gardens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Statues at Forbidden Gardens in Houston, Texas.

Forbidden Gardens is an unusual outdoor museum of Chinese culture and history located at 29.807°, -95.777° in Katy, Greater Houston, Texas, USA. The museum is funded privately by a Chinese businessman named Ira Poon who is interested in sharing his country's history.

Forbidden Gardens takes it name from two of its major features: A one-to-twenty scale model of the Forbidden City with hundreds of palace buildings and figurines under a 40,000 square foot pavilion, and the small grounds for walking and viewing additional exhibits.

Additional exhibits include a detailed panorama of a scholarly retreat called Lodge of the Calming of the Heart, an outdoor array of 6,000 one third scale soldiers and chariots from the Terracotta Army tomb of the first Emperor of Qin, an indoor panorama of a city called the Venice of China (Suzhou), and rooms exhibiting details of historical architecture and weapons.

Forbidden Gardens is unusual in that it is privately funded, displays extensive models made and shipped from China, and gives a unique view and experience of one of the most interesting times in medieval Chinese history. It originally cost $40 million dollars to construct and only 40 of the 80 acres Poon bought are currently being used.

Open to the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ONLY (weather-permitting). Guided tours mandatory and included in the price of admission. Open 10am-5pm, with tours at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Admission gates close at 3:30 and no one will be admitted after this time. You may join the last tour up until 3:30, but you will not be able to go back and see exhibts you have missed. You may not walk the museum on your own. It is highly recommended you arrive at least a half an hour prior to the tour you wish to join. This will give you time to purchase your tickets and watch the 22-minute informational video prior to the beginning of the tour.