Disney's China Pavilion at Epcot

China can be an educational challenge for a number of reasons. It’s on the other side of the world, the language and culture are completely different from ours, and its Communist dictatorship has hampered the free flow of information. Yet China’s contributions to humankind are many, from kite-flying to gunpowder. A nation that large with that rich a history simply must be studied.

Although today’s China is more accessible than ever (I visited Hong Kong two years ago), there are easier ways to get a feel for the Middle Kingdom. Visiting a Chinatown in any major city would be one way. But let’s examine a more systematic way: the China Pavilion in World Showcase at the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World, Florida. online degrees

The most striking aspect of any World Showcase pavilion is the nation’s architecture, and China is no exception, with the emphasis on Beijing’s Imperial Palace (or Forbidden City) and Temple of Heaven park. Enter by passing through the Gate of the Golden Sun. This example was based on a gate at the emperor’s summer palace near Beijing. The dominant feature is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, an imperial prayer temple. Remember that many people would literally live from harvest to harvest throughout most of history; this temple is where the emperor would go to pray for an upcoming harvest or give thanks for a recent one. This would provide a good introduction to both Chinese agriculture and its historical system of government. Online Psychology Degrees For centuries Chinese farmers struggled to feed a growing population. Further, they were at the mercy of the rivers, particularly the Yellow and the Yangtze. Regarding government, what were the duties of the emperor? Chinese history is divided into dynasties; what is a dynasty? Which dynasties are most remembered and why?

The agricultural theme continues into the hall’s interior, with the four center columns standing for the annual seasons. The twelve exterior columns represent the year’s twelve months and also the twelve-year cycle the Chinese live by. In Chinese design, circles define the heavens and squares represent the earth - together they form the universe; this repeats throughout the building. Notice the predominance of the colors red and yellow; they represent happiness and the emperor, respectively. Disney theme parks are famous for their attention to detail. In this case, look up and examine the medallion insert in the top of the prayer hall. The dragon represents power and the phoenix peace and prosperity; together they symbolize marriage. online education degrees

Inside is the pavilion’s attraction, “Reflections of China“, a fourteen-minute, three-hundred-sixty-degree film that takes you on a journey across the country. This version is actually an update of “Wonders of China”, which ran from the pavilion’s opening in 1982 until 2003 (and which I liked better, but nothing lasts forever). The movie’s host is the 8th-century poet Li Bai, who wrote approximately 1100 poems and traveled extensively throughout China for much of his life. By the way, if you feel squeezed when you exit the theater, you’re right. The “Street of Good Fortune” exit corridor was intentionally designed to be too small to give some idea of what walking along a typically crowded Chinese street would feel like.

“Reflections of China” gives a good microcosm of the country’s people, culture and history, and leads to many questions. Why was the Great Wall built? Why did the emperor live in a “Forbidden City”? What places would you like to visit someday? And Li Bai’s poetry is available on the Internet (although I’m guessing much of the artistry gets lost in translation).

Mention Chinese and many Americans immediately think of food. There are two authentic Chinese eateries, the full-menu Nine Dragons Restaurant and the Lotus Blossom Café, which at the time of this writing was serving egg rolls and vegetable lo mein. There is some noteworthy detail built into the roof of the Nine Dragons. Decorative figures on Chinese rooftops do have meanings. In this instance, there is a row of animal figures. The man seated on the hen symbolizes Prince Min, a third-century tyrant who was hanged for his cruelty. He serves as a warning to like tyrants, and the other animals are there to keep him from escaping. This is a good opportunity to compare Chinese and Western cuisine. It’s been said the Chinese will eat anything with four legs except a table and anything with wings except an airplane. What menu items do you find unusual?

In addition to these highlights, other aspects of Chinese culture are on display. Before entering, notice the gardens and reflecting ponds. How does the landscaping compare to private gardens in your area? How about public parks? Several shops feature authentic Chinese goods. What’s on sale that you’ve never seen anywhere else? Look around and see what art might be on display. At this time, exhibits include authentic tomb sculptures that date back 2,000 years and a miniature recreation of the tomb of China's first emperor. Also look on the show schedules for authentic street performances. Be conscious of the music, be it during a live performance or in the background. How does it sound to you? online social science degrees

Finally, one advantage of World Showcase is that having pavilions of eleven major countries around one lagoon invites comparisons. Moving clockwise, the Japan Pavilion is only four locations away. Compare China’s Gate of the Golden Sun with Japan’s torii gate at the edge of the lagoon. Contrast the round Chinese temple with the square Japanese pagoda. Isn’t it amazing how two cultures from the same part of the world can be so different?