Recently, my husband and three kids were playing in the Mediterranean, swimming and floating in the picture-perfect sea. It was ridiculously beautiful in Majorca, Spain. The way the sun danced across the water and how the blue horizon was dotted with storybook sailboats were such beautiful scenes. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.

My husband and I always dreamed about taking our kids on a trip around the world. It was something we always wanted to do “one day”. It was one of the things we talked in detail about, when we imagined our life with the children we hoped we would have.

Fourteen years later, we had three boys who were growing up faster by the day. It was time to make good on (兑现，实现) those plans.

We spent dozens of hours discussing, researching and planning.

We had to learn how to “road school” our kids and arrange time off from work. We renewed our passports, and then packed our bags.

We showed our kids the world. It was about experiencing the dozens of flights and trains and taxis together. We showed them how wonderful, how diverse, and how fascinating the world is. We wanted them to learn all that we had learned ourselves, through our own travels as young adults.

But there was something more than that: What we really wanted is to slow down time. We wanted the days to last a bit longer and the weeks to take their time. The years with our children are going too fast. We wanted to put the brakes on our busy lives for a year, and just be with our kids. We wanted a break from the daily morning routine of making lunches, eating breakfast and rushing out the door in time for school. We needed a family time-out (休息时间).

It was a wonderful two months in Europe, full of incredible moments. And when we look back at our lives, I know we’ll be glad we did it. I know we’ll be happy that this is a chapter of the story of our family.

Guide on Hubei Provincial Museum

Constructed in 1953, Hubei Provincial Museum is recognized by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as a protection base of Chinese traditional culture, a director member of China Museum Association of Musical Instrument, and an AAAAA level scenic spot authorized by National Tourism Administration.

Exhibitions

Exhibition of Chu culture: it demonstrates rich and splendid Chu culture through the Chu bronze articles, Chu silk fabrics and embroidery (刺绣) and so on.

Porcelain (瓷器) Profile: this exhibition is divided into two parts. Part I mainly focuses on the unearthed porcelain. Part II mainly concentrates on the porcelain handed down from ancient times collected by the museum.

Distinguished figures in Hubei during a Century: this exhibition, featuring a selection of more than a hundred famous and respected figures, such as Dong Biwu, Li Xiannian, whose photos are accompanied by relics, outlines their biographies and achievements.

Introduction to Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng: the exhibition features the most representative relics from the tomb Marquis Yi of Zeng, and represents the spiritual and material life 2,400 years ago.

Opening time

Tuesday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm (Suspend admission after 4:00pm)   

Our services

1. The self-service locker: visitors can have free access to it.

2. Baby care room: restrooms are provided for the elderly as well as mothers and babies free of charge.

3. Wheelchairs: wheelchairs, charged by the hour, can be rented at the reception desk, with visitors carrying a valid ID document.

4. Umbrella depository: all umbrellas can be kept on the umbrella stand, which is not charged.