Amidst the unrelenting rainfall in Beijing on July 31, the Forbidden City once again became the stage for the breathtaking spectacle known as "Nine Dragons Spitting Water".

The Forbidden City takes on an enhanced solemnity under the curtain of rainfall.

The gilded statue of qilin (a mythical creature of China) at the entrance of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility

The Three Great Halls (including the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony) in the rain

A little sparrow seeks refuge beneath the eaves

The "Nine Dragons Spitting Water" is one of the iconic spectacles of the Forbidden City. During torrential rain, water cascades from the mouths of the dragon statues, creating a splendid water curtain.

The opulent palace walls take on a unique luster due to the raindrops.

(Source: The Beijing News)