# Forbidden Gardens
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[[Image:ForbiddenGardens-TerraCottaArmy-2008'4-crwpps.jpg|thumb|Full-scale statues at Forbidden Gardens in [Katy, Texas](/source/Katy%2C_Texas).]]
thumb|Replica of the Emperor Qin's throne on display at Forbidden Gardens
'''Forbidden Gardens''' ({{Lang-zh|c = |s = 紫禁花园|t = 紫禁花園|links = no}} ) was an outdoor museum of [Chinese](/source/China) culture and history located on [Texas Highway 99](/source/Texas_Highway_99) and Franz Road in northern [Katy](/source/Katy%2C_Texas), [Greater Houston](/source/Greater_Houston), [Texas](/source/Texas), United States. The museum was funded and opened by businessman Ira Poon in 1996.[{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/06/texas_traveler_forbidden_garde.php |title=Texas Traveler: Forbidden Gardens |access-date=2010-01-02 |archive-date=2009-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903141547/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/06/texas_traveler_forbidden_garde.php |url-status=dead }}] Forbidden Gardens closed its doors in 2011.
==Features and naming==
Forbidden Gardens took its name from two of its major features: A 1:20 [scale model](/source/scale_model) of the [Forbidden City](/source/Forbidden_City) with hundreds of palace buildings and figurines under a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} 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](/source/Terracotta_Army) tomb of the first Emperor of Qin, an indoor panorama of a city called the Venice of China ([Suzhou](/source/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 {{convert|80|acre|m2}} Poon bought were used. The Terracotta Army display was unique in that the statues were exposed to direct sunlight, unlike [the sheltered originals](/source/Terracotta_Army), enabling excellent photography conditions.
[[Image:ForbiddenGardens-TerraCottaArmy 2008'4-crwpps.jpg|thumb|[Terracotta Army](/source/Terracotta_Army) reproduction in one-third scale.]]
==Closure==
It was announced that the Forbidden Gardens would close its doors on February 21, 2011, to make way for the [Grand Parkway](/source/Texas_State_Highway_99) expansion.[[https://abc13.com/archive/7909334/ Bigger road means the closure of local museum]] Terracotta soldiers were offered on [Craigslist](/source/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.[[http://swamplot.com/overwhelmed-by-popular-demand-forbidden-gardens-gives-up-on-craigslist-for-its-great-qin-dynasty-liquidation-sale/2011-02-03/ Overwhelmed by Popular Demand, Forbidden Gardens Gives Up on Craigslist for Its Great Qin Dynasty Liquidation Sale]]
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050715005706/http://www.forbidden-gardens.com/ Forbidden Gardens website]
*[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/06/texas_traveler_forbidden_garde.php Review of visiting the Forbidden Gardens in 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903141547/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/06/texas_traveler_forbidden_garde.php |date=2009-09-03 }}
*[http://www.houstonpress.com/1995-09-14/news/pagodas-on-the-prairie/ 1995 news article when it opened, and reference to publicity-shy owner]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110202182001/http://grandpky.com/home/ The Grand Parkway Association]
*Snyder, Mike. "[http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2011/01/katy_attraction_succumbs_to_gr.html Katy attraction succumbs to Grand Parkway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122215901/http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2011/01/katy_attraction_succumbs_to_gr.html |date=2011-01-22 }}." ''[Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle)''. January 19, 2011.
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Coord|29|48|24|N|95|46|37|W|type:landmark_scale:10000_region:US|display=title}}
{{Chinese American museums in the United States}}
Category:Chinese-American culture in Texas
Category:Gardens in Texas
Category:Katy, Texas
Category:Miniature parks
Category:Museums in Harris County, Texas
Category:Ethnic museums in Texas
Category:Chinese-American museums
Category:Defunct museums in Texas
Category:1996 establishments in Texas
Category:2011 disestablishments in Texas
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Forbidden Gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Gardens) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Gardens?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.