Solve the Mystery of the Dragon Bones

Your journey is about to begin, but first you have to be equipped for your adventure. While Harry Potter had to go to Ollivanders to find his magic wand, you have to go to the old brushmaker Hu to get ready for your quest. In Mr. Hu’s small workshop you will receive a brush. From here you will go to Ms. Wang to collect your mission. Written in an old, time- worn diary you will find ten characters and ten riddles. The characters will form a pattern, that will lead you back in time. Find the answers and solve the mystery of the Dragon Bones.

In 1899, the old, distinguished scholar Wang Yirong went into a Beijing pharmacy. Among the usual fare of dried deer penises and tiger paws, he was surprised to see that dragon bones were on sale. Looking closely at these strange fossils, Wang noticed some peculiar characters, and soon he realized that the bones in his hand might not be coming from a dragon. 

Rather, the characters turned out to be the earliest documented Chinese characters. Wang Yirong determined that the small engravings were indeed around 3000 years old. Ever since, thousands of scholars have tried to break the many riddles these ancient bones contain. 

On Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, we challenge you to a scavenger hunt based on the first Chinese documents known today. The Oracle Bone Mystery Scavenger Hunt takes place in the historical shopping district of Dashilar, and you will have to find your answers in the neighborhood's narrow hutong lanes. Your quest will bring you to traditional brush-makers and pharmacies as well as silk, tea, and knife shops. 

Apart from the scavenger hunt, you will also get an opportunity to attend a porcelain workshop with Caicifang who makes accessories from ancient pieces of porcelain. And last but not least the holiday spirit will be induced in your veins with mulled wine, dark ale, and Christmas pastry.

13:00-17:00 Saturday, November 30

13:00-17:00 Sunday, December 01