Young Chinese seek comfort, self-expression at break-up museums

BEIJING - Going to museums dedicated to broken relationships has become an alternative choice for many lovestruck couples and singles to spend the traditional Qixi festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day.

"I came here to find an answer," said a 25-year-old girl who gave her name as Xiao Hua. She came to the Museum of Broken Relationships, located in central Beijing, ahead of this year's Qixi, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese lunar calendar, on Wednesday, to ponder over the relationship with her boyfriend.

Grouped by different themes, the exhibition at the museum features 110 personal items from across the country -- from faded couple photos, old love letters, to a wedding dress. Each of them contains a sentimental recollection, and even dredges up some sad memories of the past.