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History comes to life in Xiamen museum

CCTV.com

06-02-2016 00:12 BJT

Full coverage: International Children's Day

A house made from oyster shells will stand for 10,000 years. That is a fun fact youngsters get to learn this International Children’s Day at the Lao Yuanzi, or “Old Courtyard” Museum, in the southeastern coastal town of Xiamen in Fujian province.

The Lao Yuanzi cultural project, established a year ago at a cost of 2.8 billion yuan, recreates scenes from the lives of local fishermen, along with replicas of traditional houses.

“We used to live in a house like this made of oyster shells. In olden times, fishermen were poor, so they used oyster shells that were at hand to make houses. We all know the hardness of oyster shell. These houses can outlast even brick houses. There is a saying: ‘A house made from bricks will last a thousand years; a house made from oyster shell will last 10,000 years,’” a museum guide said.

Youngsters get to learn this International Children

Youngsters get to learn this International Children's Day at the Lao Yuanzi - or "Old Courtyard" Museum, in the southeastern coastal town of Xiamen in Fujian Province.

The museum transports students back in time, with the recreation of vintage streets, shops, and docks, all peopled by lively wax figures.

The traditional courtyard recalls the serene night scene of a fishing village, while another zone displays traditional wedding customs.

A house made from oyster shells will stand for 10,000 years!

A house made from oyster shells will stand for 10,000 years!

Rounding out the visit is a show chronicling the region’s history. There is military hero Zheng Chenggong leading an army to reclaim the island of Taiwan from Dutch invaders in the 17th century; there are fishermen contending with nature to wrest a living from the seas; and there is reenactment of a wedding ceremony. The museum's 360-degree movable stage makes students feel they are part of the action.

On this International Children’s Day, Xiamen’s “Old Courtyard” museum reflects the need to educate and entertain.

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