Dragon Pavilion is the main part of Dragon Pavilion Park located in the northwest of Kaifeng City, where six dynasties located their capitals. The site where Dragon Pavilion is located is the site of many dynasties' imperial palaces and reached its height of prosperity in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Then, most of the constructions were destroyed through wars. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the mansion of an emperor's son was established here with a garden. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) a hall was added, a place where the emperors' tablets were placed, thus getting the name of Dragon Pavilion.
Kaifeng was the capital city of Northern Song Dynasty for 156 years. At that time, Kaifeng was prosperous, with majestic palaces. However, when Jin people invaded Kaifeng, most of the palaces were ruined due to fire. After that, because of the turmoil caused by war and Yellow River flood, the grand palaces no longer existed. Long Ting (Dragon Pavilion) became the only architecture that existed on the ruins of Song palaces. The dragon Pavilion we see now was built in Qing Dynasty.
Dragon Pavilion, together with other scenic beauties, makes up the Dragon Pavilion Park. This area is the most famous and the largest scenic spot in Kaifeng, with an area of 0.87 square kilometers (214 acres). So it is a must-see when traveling to Kaifeng.
Dragon Pavilion is a typical representative of the cultural and historical heritages of Kaifeng. It is the main part of the constructions in Dragon Pavilion Park. In fact, Dragon Pavilion is a grand hall built on a 13-meter (43 feet) blue brick terrace with 72 steps. This hall, a wooden structure built facing south, is 26.7 meters (88 feet) in height, covering 19.10 meters (63 feet) from east to west and 11.90 meters (39 feet) from south to north. It holds many rare cultural relics, and dragons playing with pearls are carved on the ceilings and walls. Dragon Pavilion is also a favorable place to overlook all the sceneries of Kaifeng City. In a word, travelers can have a visual feast here.
As the main scenic site of Kaifeng, Dragon Pavilion Park totals more than 80 hectares, half of which is water area. The park consists primarily of two lakes - Family Pan Lake and Family Yang Lake. For some strange reason, the Family Pan Lake is muddy while the latter is clear, which people have likened to the characters of two officials who served during the Northern Song (CE 960-1127) Dynasty: Pan Renmei, a treacherous official; and Yang Jiye, an honest one.
The architectural highlights of Long Ting Park include Wu ("Noon") Gate, Yudai ("Jade Belt") Bridge, the Chao ("Wise, Benevolent Spirit") Houses on either side of Imperial Road, Long ("Dragon") Pavilion, Chaomen Gate, the ruins of the Northern Song Dynasty Imperial Palace, Monument Pavilion, North Gate, and East Gate. Dragon Pavilion is an immense hall built atop an imposing, 13-meter high, flood-proof stone structure that has a moderately-sloped, 72-step stone staircase leading up to the entrance. In the center of the hall stands a large dragon carving. The hall's ceiling is decorated with yellow glazed tiles, reinforcing the link to China's imperial past, as yellow was the favorite color of emperors. On either side of Dragon Pavilion are placed eight Chao Rooms, which, together with the palatial courtyard, form an impressive whole. The pavilion also houses a Waxwork Hall that exhibits vivid waxwork likenesses of prominent personages.
Admission Fee: CNY 35
Recommended Time for a Visit: One hour
Bus Route: 15, 20...