Children of the Empire

For a country that boasts one of the oldest civilizations and the biggest population of any nation on Earth, China somehow remains a mystery to many Americans. It's understandable, really, as the country maintains a bit of a split personality. Its communist government makes many think of an austere, agrarian society, and there are definitely elements of that throughout China. However, it's also a place that is extremely technologically advanced and cosmopolitan. These clashing perceptions (and realities) make the country something of an enigma: I'd be hard pressed to really describe what the day-to-day experience of the average Chinese person is, and I consider myself to have a basic understanding of the culture. Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China is a great opportunity to take a peek at the contemporary Chinese experience, with four different Chinese children serving as tour guides. You'll visit these kiddos at home, at school, in cultural settings and in the Chinese countryside as part of the interactive exhibit at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St. Kids will be interested to see how their counterparts study, play and relate to their families, and adults will appreciate the revealing glimpse into a place so many of us know so little about. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. until May 8; admission to the museum is $14 for adults and $10 for children. Visit fwmuseum.org for more information.
Feb. 19-May 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2011