If you think of Asian Art as just orchids, bamboo, and cast iron teapots, you haven’t been to the Asian Art Museum in the Civic Center – and you need to go! Not only does the museum have priceless artifacts like the oldest Chinese gilt-bronze Buddha in the world (photographed in textbooks everywhere), but they offer some pretty cool interactive programs such as yoga inspired by the sculpture poses, storytelling for the kids (“How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head”), and learning the art of Japanese Tea Ceremonies.

The museum even has exhibitions for the night owls with their Thursday night after-hours parties called MATCHA.  Observe the Shaolin Temple monks demonstrate some high-kicking kung fu while you listen to Shanghai Jazz.  Always changing and never a dull moment, this Asian Art Museum will keep you exploring  over 6,000 years of history.