Chinese investors are building a 21-kilometre long concrete dragon to breathe fire into the tourism industry, but some experts have already identified it as a cultural faux pas.
The dragon, which will wind along the ridge of Shizu mountain in central Henan province, would be finished in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in 2009. The dragon’s head would be 30 meters high and its body nine meters high and six meters wide. Some 5.6 million pieces of white marble and gilded bronze would form scales that symbolize the country’s 56 ethnic groups.
Its hollowed-out body would have display rooms with a variety of themes, including “filial piety, loyalty, and patriotism”. A light rail to transport tourists to the dragon and a “luxury club” were also part of the plan.
The project director, Li Xiong said:
The 21 kilometre length represents the wish that China will experience rapid development in the 21st century.
The controversy that surrounds this project is hidden in history, the dragon is to be built atop Shizu mountain. The mountain is a symbol of Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, who is considered the earliest ancestor of China, building it here would be disrespectful to Huangdi. Though Investors are aiming to cash in on the influx of tourists they believe the giant beast will draw.
Source: The Age
