As the Year of the Loong is around the corner, let's find out the elements related to loongs, also known as Chinese dragons, the mythical legendary creatures in Beijing's parks.

Summer Palace

Bronze Loongs

Two bronze loongs 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 loong-related ornaments, including imperial-style decorative paintings featuring loongs and fengs (mythical birds in the Chinese legends), four pillars with patterns of loongs, which are known as "Longjingzhu" (龙井柱), loong-pattern stone carvings, baluster columns, and the stone loong heads constituting an integral part of the hall's drainage system, among others.

Beihai Park

Nine-loong Wall (九龙壁)

The Nine-loong Wall is the only double-sided screen wall among China's Top Three Nine-loong Walls, made of colorful glazed bricks. The front and back sides of the wall each contains a relief featuring nine loongs 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 loong-related elements, including the imperial-style decorative paintings of golden loongs and patterns of seated loongs.

Xiangshan (Fragrance Hills) Park

Hall of Good Governance (勤政殿)

The hall is decorated with golden loong imperial-style decorative paintings, with its plaques, screens, floor, five-screen gold-lacquered chairs, incense holders and burners all adorned with loong patterns.

Heart Mirror Johkang Temple

Loong 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 loong imperial-style decorative paintings embellish the main hall and the archway gate, while soaring loong 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 loongs, and the ceiling paintings featuring loong patterns decorate the apexes of the halberd gate and the main hall.

Beijing Zoo

Loong patterns on the top of the South Gate

Located above the seas and surrounded by clouds and peonies, two loongs 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

Loong 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

Loong sculpture under Zhongdi Bridge

Loong-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 Loong, Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, Yuyuantan Park, and many other municipal parks will introduce artistic and culturally significant merchandise bearing loong-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 Loong.