Chinese Culture Days at Missouri Botanical Garden - 2010

Immerse yourself in traditional Chinese arts, music, culture and cuisine with Chinese Culture Days May 15th and 16th at the Missouri Botanical Garden,

Festivities begin Saturday May 15th at 11 a.m. with a grand parade led by a dazzling 70-foot, 24-legged dragon winding through the crowds to dispel bad luck and evil spirits. Traditional martial artists and lion dancers follow, accompanied by gongs and drums, to bring in good luck for the Year of the Tiger of the Chinese zodiac. The parade will be repeated again at 2 p.m. both May 15th and 16th.

A host of activities surround the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, also known as the Chinese Garden. The private “Scholar’s Garden” is filled with pavilions, bridges and decorated pavements, affirming the idea that Chinese gardens are built, not planted. These structures reflect the traditional Chinese shan shu—mountain and water—landscape. Stones around a central pool of water symbolize the five sacred mountains in China.

Take a guided tour of the Chinese Garden hourly between noon and 4 p.m. Experience lessons in the ancient martial art of T’ai Ji at 1 and 3 p.m. Throughout the day, enjoy tea tastings and Chinese traditional music, played on the ancient pipa and Gu Zheng instruments.

Witness an incredible display of elegant and riveting dance and acrobatics performed by the Shanghai acrobats. For over 40 years, the New Shanghai Circus Troupe has worked to perfect the fine Chinese folk art of tumbling into an international award-winning performance involving both artistry and acrobatics. Performances are held at noon and 4 p.m. at the outdoor Cohen Amphitheater.

Hone your home cooking skills with a Chinese cooking demonstration at 2:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Visit the outdoor food court, where dumplings, egg rolls, lo mein and other mouth-watering favorites will be available for purchase from local restaurants and Chinese organizations.

A program of regional styles of Chinese fashion and cultures will take place twice daily at 1 and 4:30 p.m. inside the Shoenberg Theater. Seating is limited.

Chinese Culture Days admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (ages 65 and over), and $5 for children (ages three to 12). Garden members are $5; members’ children ages 12 and under are free. Doors open at 9 a.m. with activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online in advance at MOBOT.org. Trams will not operate during the event.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit and from Interstate 64 at the Kingshighway North & South exit. Free parking is available on-site and two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

For general information call the recorded event line at (314) 577-9400 or toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.