Forbidden Gardens (simplified Chinese: 紫禁花园; traditional Chinese: 紫禁花園 ) was an outdoor museum of Chinese culture and history located on Texas Highway 99 and Franz Road in northern Katy, Greater Houston, Texas, United States. The museum was funded and opened by businessman Ira Poon in 1996.[1] Forbidden Gardens closed its doors in 2011.
Features and naming
editForbidden Gardens took its name from two of its major features: A 1:20 scale model of the Forbidden City with hundreds of palace buildings and figurines under a 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) pavilion, and the small grounds for walking and viewing additional exhibits.
Additional exhibits included 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 was unusual in that it was privately funded. It displayed extensive models made and shipped from China. It originally cost $40 million to construct and only 40 of the 80 acres (320,000 m2) Poon bought were used. The Terracotta Army display was unique in that the statues were exposed to direct sunlight, unlike the sheltered originals, enabling excellent photography conditions.
Closure
editIt was announced that the Forbidden Gardens would close its doors on February 21, 2011, to make way for the Grand Parkway expansion.[2] Terracotta soldiers were offered on Craigslist for $100 a soldier, sparking media attention. The warriors were pulled off Craigslist on February 9, with a note explaining that excess demand made it necessary.[3]
External links
edit- Forbidden Gardens website
- Review of visiting the Forbidden Gardens in 2009 Archived 2009-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
- 1995 news article when it opened, and reference to publicity-shy owner
- The Grand Parkway Association
- Snyder, Mike. "Katy attraction succumbs to Grand Parkway Archived 2011-01-22 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Chronicle. January 19, 2011.
References
edit- ^ "Texas Traveler: Forbidden Gardens". Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ^ Bigger road means the closure of local museum
- ^ Overwhelmed by Popular Demand, Forbidden Gardens Gives Up on Craigslist for Its Great Qin Dynasty Liquidation Sale
