54｜Cultural landscapes in the lens - the history and art of the Twelve Zodiac Heads Fountain

I came to the New Yuanming Palace in Zhuhai, a replica of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, which has always attracted me with its grandeur and exquisite ancient architecture. It is located on Lanpu Road, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a beautiful lake and mountains. As soon as I stepped into the New Yuanming Palace, I was amazed by the sight in front of me. The royal buildings are majestic, and the grand halls on the central axis, such as "Zhengda Guangming" and "Jiuzhou Qingyan," are magnificent, making me feel as if I have traveled back to the royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty. However, what I was most looking forward to was the mysterious Twelve Zodiac Heads Fountain. The Twelve Zodiac Heads Fountain in the New Yuanming Palace is carefully crafted according to the original appearance of the Haiyan Hall in the Old Summer Palace. These zodiac heads are vivid and lifelike, spraying water alternately day and night, creating a spectacular scene. I deliberately came at the time of the fountain performance, and when the music started, the water columns danced to the rhythm, and the zodiac heads seemed to be given life, with the water splashing in the sunlight, shining with crystal brilliance, breathtakingly beautiful. In addition to the Twelve Zodiac Heads Fountain, I also visited other attractions in the New Yuanming Palace. The Jiangnan garden buildings are built around the lake, and the attractions such as Quyuan Fenghe and Pinghu Qiuyue are beautiful, making people feel like they are in a moving painting. The Western-style buildings are full of exotic charm, with Baroque-style buildings perfectly blending with the exquisite traditional Chinese gardens, showing unique charm. Walking in the New Yuanming Palace, I felt like I had traveled through time and space, experiencing the grandeur and elegance of the royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty. The performance of the Twelve Zodiac Heads Fountain impressed me deeply, as it not only showcased the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancient working people but also allowed me to appreciate the profoundness of Chinese culture while enjoying the beautiful scenery.