The Qi of China

Until spring 2012 in Tropenmuseum Junior

Jump into China!

Qi (pronounced 'chi') is the Chinese life force, or breath of life, that is in full flow at the Tropenmuseum Junior till spring 2012. In ‘The Qi of China’, visitors can get their own Qi flowing in a range of activities during special China tours, including cooking, kung fu, karaoke, calligraphy and by making umbrellas and terracotta soldiers.

Please note: 'the Qi of China' is Dutch only.


In ‘China’s Qi’, there are no artefacts in glass cases and children take centre stage in the exhibition. After immersing the visitors in a dynamic China of skyscrapers and traffic, the exhibition staff (most of whom are Chinese themselves) escort them through the various rooms of the exhibition. The collection, personal recollections, moving images and activities combine to form a unified whole. Visitors can experience ‘China’s Qi’ by becoming actively involved in tai-chi, kung fu, feng shui, calligraphy, making terracotta soldiers, producing umbrella’s, cooking, karaoke and by making Qi jumps.

Exhibition, book and game (Dutch only)

In order to reach out to as many children as possible, a book and an online game have been created to accompany the exhibition. All three have been designed to complement each other.

In the online QiGame (www.qigame.nl), you can collect Qi in five different games: calligraphy, Chinese restaurant, acupuncture, kung fu and a Qi quiz. Children who have taken part in the China tour at the museum can view the video-clip with their own Qi jumps.

The book 'The Pearl and the Dragon' features personal recollections, photographs and moving images for everyone who wants to know more about China. Each child participating in a ‘China’s Qi’ school programme will receive their own copy in preparation to their school visit.

Practical information

It is only possible to visit ‘China’s Qi’ by taking part in one of the various China tours (Dutch only). In addition to the China tours designed especially for children aged 6-13, there are also China tours for all ages and programmes for school groups. For reservations call: +31 (0) 20 568 8233, especially for groups. Advance booking is recommended.

  • China tour for children (ages 6 to 13, lasting 1½ hour): Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. and weekends and school holidays at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.;
  • China tour for all ages (lasts 1 hour), weekends and school holidays at 11 a.m.;
  • China tour for school groups (lasts 1¾ hours or 2¼ hours), held on schooldays for primary school classes group 3-8 and transitional class of secondary schools. Reservation compulsory.

Tropenmuseum Junior

I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand
(Chinese proverb)

Since its establishment in 1975, Tropenmuseum Junior has designed exhibitions for children aged 6 to 13. Convinced that true understanding comes from active involvement, on a daily basis the museum aims to stimulate children mentally and emotionally through knowledge about the world. Tropenmuseum Junior is part of the Tropenmuseum and the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT).

‘The Qi of China’ is partly sponsored by:

Adessium Foundation, The Amsterdam Art Fund (Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst), the City of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, the Mondriaan Foundation, the Netherlands Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, VSBFund. Media partner: Hyves.

Royal Tropical Institute