As the Year of the dragon is around the corner, let's find out the elements related to Chinese dragons, the mythical legendary creatures in Beijing's parks.
Summer Palace
Bronze Dragons
Two bronze dragons are respectively located in the front of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (仁寿殿) and Hall of Dispelling Clouds (排云殿), two palatial buildings of the Summer Palace.
Temple of Heaven
Courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is adorned with a multitude of dragon-related ornaments, including imperial-style decorative paintings featuring dragons and phoenixes (mythical birds in the Chinese legends), four pillars with patterns of dragons, which are known as "Longjingzhu" (龙井柱), dragon-pattern stone carvings, baluster columns, and the stone dragon heads constituting an integral part of the hall's drainage system, among others.
Beihai Park
Nine-Dragon Wall (九龙壁)
The Nine-Dragon Wall is the only double-sided screen wall among China's Top Three Nine-Dragon Walls, made of colorful glazed bricks. The front and back sides of the wall each contains a relief featuring nine dragons in various forms dancing in sky, through clouds, above sea and across rocks.
Zhongshan Park
Xili Pavilion (习礼亭)
Xili Pavilion incorporates a variety of dragon-related elements, including the imperial-style decorative paintings of golden dragons and patterns of seated dragons.
Xiangshan (Fragrance Hills) Park
Hall of Good Governance (勤政殿)
The hall is decorated with golden dragon imperial-style decorative paintings, with its plaques, screens, floor, five-screen gold-lacquered chairs, incense holders and burners all adorned with dragon patterns.
Heart Mirror Johkang Temple
Dragon patterns and carvings can be found on the colorful glazed archway gates and inside the stele pavilion.
Jingshan Park
Hall of Imperial Longevity Complex
Here, golden dragon imperial-style decorative paintings embellish the main hall and the archway gate, while soaring dragon patterns that coordinate with turtle brocades adorn the stele pavilion, east and west wings of the main hall and other buildings. You can also find the ancient building plaques featuring three-dimensional golden dragons, and the ceiling paintings featuring dragon patterns decorate the apexes of the halberd gate and the main hall.
Beijing Zoo
Dragon patterns on the top of the South Gate
Located above the seas and surrounded by clouds and peonies, two dragons are depicted in the heart of a rectangular gable that is central to a large carved brick above the main entrance, presenting an image of imperial dignity and majesty.
Taoranting Park
Dragon head sculpture
An additional stone sculpture discovered on a mountain southeast in the park complements Yunhui Tower (云绘楼) and highlights the ancient architecture's magnificence.
Zihuyuan Park
Stone sculptures under Ziyuwan Bridge
A cute water-control god-beast can be found on each side of Ziyuwan Bridge as if it was seeing its reflection in the water.
Yuyuantan Park
Dragon sculpture under Zhongdi Bridge
Dragon-related elements on the arch-bearing stone of Zhongdi Bridge and the water-control beast sculpture under the bridge symbolize the peace all around.
Furthermore, to celebrate the coming Year of the Dragon, Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, Yuyuantan Park, and many other municipal parks will introduce artistic and culturally significant merchandise bearing dragon-related elements. Beijing Zoo will also host a fair of cultural and creative products and an exhibition of zodiac-themed artifacts for the Year of the Dragon.
(Source: Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks)