For February half term the Royal Armouries will welcome the year of the fire rooster and the end of the Chinese new year celebrations with a varied programme of activities for all the family including lion dances, traditional arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations, have a go sessions, language workshops and music.
Alongside activities visitors will be able to explore the Royal Armouries’ fabulous collection from China in our galleries. Many military inventions came from China, including the crossbow and perhaps most important of all, gunpowder. However, one of the treasures of the collection is a richly ornamented fifteenth-century Chinese, Ming Dynasty presentation sword which can be seen on display in the Oriental Gallery. The sword is one of the finest examples of Chinese weapons as a work of art with its intricate decoration based on Buddhist symbols.
History will also be brought to life by our education team with storytelling sessions, dramatic performances, object handling opportunities and live combat demonstrations. Visitors will be able to learn about why the Terracotta Warriors came to be created, the tales of warrior women, and the story of Kublai Khan by Marco Polo.
Event organiser, Gail Cockerill said ‘From pottery painting and unicorn dances to hand-crafted book making and Kung Fu workshops, led by our resident Sensei Michael Clayton, this half term at the Royal Armouries promises to be an explosion of sound, colour and activity. The team have really enjoyed working with partners across the city to help bring our collection to life to deliver a dynamic programme which will appeal to everyone.’
Museum admission is free, some activities carry a small charge. More information can be found at www.royalarmouries.org
Watch a local Chinese dance troupe combine art, history, and Kung Fu in the spectacular Chinese Lion Dance, said to bring good luck and chase away ghosts, evil spirits, and monsters.
Free
Come and learn some Tai Chi Yang. A form of meditation in motion, this ancient Chinese tradition has evolved over centuries, and is said to help stress and anxiety. Led by Sensei Michael Clayton.
Suitable for ages 5+ with parental supervision.
Free/Limited places available /Approx. 60 mins
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Listen to the beautiful Guzheng, one of the most ancient traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Free/Approx. 30 mins
Watch a variety of Chinese fighting techniques and learn how Chinese martial arts were developed. Led by Sensei Michael Clayton.
Free/Approx. 45 mins
Learn some of the techniques of Chin Na and San Da Chinese martial arts. Led by Sensei Michael Clayton.
Suitable for ages 5+ with parental supervision.
Free/Limited places available/Approx. 45 mins
Watch as students learn advanced weapon techniques, including staff and Sai fighting. Led by Sensei Michael Clayton. This is a 2-hour training workshop.
Visitors are welcome to drop in and watch/Free
Watch as students learn advanced weapon techniques, including staff and Sai fighting. Led by Sensei Michael Clayton. This is a 2-hour training workshop.
Visitors are welcome to drop in and watch/Free
Watch a local Chinese dance troupe combine art, history, and Kung Fu in the spectacular Chinese Lion Dance, said to bring good luck and chase away ghosts, evil spirits, and monsters.
Free
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50 / Make & take craft activities / Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Take part in combined workshop where participants will learn techniques from both Kung Fu and Tai Chi and learn how they are used together.
Suitable for all ages and ability. Parental supervision will be required for under 16s.
Free/Limited places available/Approx. 45 mins
Listen to the beautiful Guzheng, one of the most ancient traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Free/Approx. 30 mins
Watch a local Chinese dance troupe combine art, history, and Kung Fu in the spectacular Chinese Lion Dance, said to bring good luck and chase away ghosts, evil spirits, and monsters.
Free
Have a go at traditional paper crafts and learn how to make a Chinese knotted bracelet with members of the Business Confucius Institute, University of Leeds.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3.30pm
Join teachers from The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds to learn some key words and phrases in Mandarin.
Suitable for ages 6+ with parental supervision.
Free/Limited places available/Approx. 45 mins. Booking at www.royalarmouries.org
This workshop will combine creative writing, calligraphy and design to produce a unique hand-crafted fold-out book. Led by writer Mary Cooper and artist Pui Lee.
Suitable for ages 8+ with parental supervision.
£3.50/Limited places available/Approx. 90 mins
Try your hand at this traditional art of writing using brush and ink. Led by teachers from The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds.
Suitable for ages 6+ with parental supervision.
£3.50/Limited places available/Approx. 45 mins
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Choose a piece of Chinese themed pottery to decorate with your own unique design. Your finished pot will be glazed and fired ready to be collected from the museum at a later date. Workshop by Jack Rabbits Pottery.
Suitable for ages 3+ with parental supervision.
£3.50/Limited places available /Approx. 60 mins
Musicians from The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds will play traditional Chinese instruments, the Hulusi and Guzheng. After the performance visitors are welcome to have a go at playing the instruments and talk to the musicians.
Free/Approx. 60 minutes
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Don’t miss the chance to see this spectacular unicorn dance performed by a local Chinese dance troupe. Traditionally the unicorn is the symbol of longevity and wisdom, and is believed to bring serenity and prosperity.
Free
Choose a piece of Chinese themed pottery to decorate with your own unique design. Your finished pot will be glazed and fired ready to be collected from the museum at a later date. Workshop by Jack Rabbits Pottery.
Suitable for ages 3+ with parental supervision.
£3.50/Limited places available/Approx. 60 mins
Discover the elegant art and customs of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Our host will demonstrate the intricate steps involved in preparing different kinds of tea. Led by teachers from The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds.
Participants will have the opportunity to sample the teas.
Suitable for ages 12+ with parental supervision (hot water will be used)
Free/Limited places available /Approx. 30 mins. Book at www.royalarmouries.org
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Don’t miss the chance to see this spectacular unicorn dance performed by a local Chinese dance troupe. Traditionally the unicorn is the symbol of longevity and wisdom, and is believed to bring serenity and prosperity.
Free
Choose a piece of Chinese themed pottery to decorate with your own unique design. Your finished pot will be glazed and fired ready to be collected from the museum at a later date. Workshop by Jack Rabbits Pottery.
Suitable for ages 3+ with parental supervision.
£3.50/Limited places available /Approx. 60 mins
Martial arts specialist Paul Andrews of Xing Yi Academy demonstrates the techniques of the Chinese straight sword (Jian).
Free/Approx. 15 mins
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Learn the three fundamental techniques of the Jian (Chinese straight sword) — Ci (thrust), Pi (cut) and Dian (Point) — as well as the defensive moves to counter them. Led by martial arts specialist Paul Andrews of Xing Yi Academy.
Suitable for ages 16+ / Ages 16-18 require parental supervision.
Equipment including safety glasses and wooden training swords will be provided.
Free/Limited places available/Approx. 60 mins. Book at www.royalarmouries.org
Don’t miss the chance to see this spectacular unicorn dance performed by a local Chinese dance troupe. Traditionally the unicorn is the symbol of longevity and wisdom, and is believed to bring serenity and prosperity.
Free
Watch a local Chinese dance troupe combine art, history, and Kung Fu in the spectacular Chinese Lion Dance, said to bring good luck and chase away ghosts, evil spirits, and monsters.
Free
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
12.30 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm GUZHENG MUSIC PERFORMANCES
Listen to the beautiful Guzheng, one of the most ancient traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Free/Approx. 30 mins
Watch a local Chinese dance troupe combine art, history, and Kung Fu in the spectacular Chinese Lion Dance, said to bring good luck and chase away ghosts, evil spirits, and monsters.
Free
Make a traditional Chinese lantern.
£2.50/Make & take craft activities/Drop-in sessions until 3pm
Listen to the beautiful Guzheng, one of the most ancient traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Free/Approx. 30 mins
Each day there will be several acted performances and demonstrations. Please check the daily What’s On programme on arrival at the museum.
Learn how the first Emperor of China built the army he would be buried with, one of the most spectacular finds in world archaeology.
Come and see an epic duel between two of the greatest warriors of Chinese legend.
Explore the Far East through a range of objects.
Find out why the most famous battle in Chinese history ended a dynasty and spawned the Three Kingdoms.
Discover how the British led the Eight-Nations’ relief force to embattled Beijing.
Marco Polo describes how the great Mongol warlord defeated his enemies.
Hear how a Royal Marine was sent to fight for King, Country — and the balance of Trade.
Discover the stories of some of China’s formidable female warriors.
To find out more and to book tickets visit the Royal Armouries website
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