Experience China without Leaving the States

edited by Nan Frient

Asian Art Museum and San Francisco have served as the gateway to the Far East for years - giving insight into the art and culture of Asia and its people. As the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing draw near, traffic through the Golden Gate will be high, and whether stopping in the City by the Bay or continuing on to the Forbidden City, travelers can view the history and culture of China with a visit to the Asian's summer exhibit, Power & Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, the first exhibition of its kind to be presented in the United States. The exhibition runs from June 27 through September 21, 2008.

For those who want the experience without the jetlag, this exhibition is the ticket to Beijing without the airfare. This opportunity to explore China without a passport will explore the Ming dynasty court through more than 240 visually beautiful and historically significant artworks – many on view for the first time – including paintings, jades, textiles, jewelry, lacquer, porcelain and architectural pieces drawn from The Palace Museum in Beijing, the Nanjing Municipal Museum, the Shanghai Museum and the Asian Art Museum's own collection.

This exhibition is a perfect travel destination from near or far for those seeking a guide to Ming court art and insight into the rich Chinese history and culture. Beyond the museum, visitors can tour the restaurants, teashops and other historic aspects of one of the country's most renowned Chinatowns.

The Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California 94102.