If you’re feeling uninspired in the summer heat, fear not: there are benefits to sticking around the city in this season!
St Louis, for one, has found a way to reward its citizens by inviting everyone to the Lantern Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden. There is no better way to spend the evening than strolling through the Garden’s alleyways, taking in the sights and cooling off after a long summer day.
The omnipresent dragon is guarding the entrance to the gardens at the huabiao columns. Columns like these were built in front of temples and tombs to represent and attract good luck to visitors.
Throughout the space, you’ll find paper and silk art installations inspired by traditional elements of Chinese culture, all made with remarkable detail and scale
This piece is the exact replica of Beijing Heavenly Temple – a famous site in China from 1420 AD
The lantern is an impressive tribute to its Chinese origin (as proven by the joy of a curious spectator!)
The 5 o’clock traffic jam at the Japanese Garden…
…is replaced by vibrant expressions of color at the Nine-Dragon Mural
To get the best of both worlds, visit around 7pm when dusky light of the skies is followed by magical glow of the lanterns
Slowly but surely night falls, and the Garden is transformed. Favorite mythical creature of the Middle Kingdom is lurking in murky waters, instilling both fear and awe…
On closer look, the porcelain dragon is less frightening and more awe-inspiring – it is hand-tied together from myriads of cooking utensils…
Most lanterns are installed on water, which amplifies beautiful visual effects
Heavenly indeed…
The Flying Apsaras, or fairies, seem to be floating in evening air. These creatures represent Buddhist symbols of grace and elegance…
Nearby, another graceful and elegant creature – crane…
Every detail, every piece is a work of art
The explosion of Red
A wishing well, where any soul can try its luck to find wisdom, health, love, or prosperity. Extremely lucky souls might get all four!
Traditional Chinese wedding in red – color of love, happiness and prosperity.
Qilin is a mythical animal that brings prosperity and luck. Millions of Chinese medicine bottles were put together to create this auspicious creature.
The exhibition is here until August 19. If you are in St Louis this summer, don’t miss the opportunity to be transported to another world, if only for an evening!
Hi,
Wow, that would of been great to see. The night time photos of the lanterns are spectacular. You can certainly tell there was a lot of work and effort went into this, and it did pay off, just magical.
Thank you Mags! It was indeed magical, I did not expect the exhibition to turn out so great, but our botanical garden seems to be pretty good at making these things happen!
Magical indeed, Yulia. Thank you for sharing this – I don’t have any plans to visit St. Louis, but I may have to rethink that!
You should visit Sid! Or may be your botanical garden has something similar going on this summer? I suddenly became very fond of botanical gardens – just visited the one in Chicago and it was magical as well!
amazing shots.
Thank you! A bit of luck I guess
Wow, who knew you would see these kinds of things in St. Louis?! Makes me excited to explore more of the cultural events here in Chicago!
Cheers!
Hi Courtney! You live in a great city – there is always something going on in Chicago… I just recently learned that it has a Chinatown, eager to explore it
Beautiful photos!
Thank you
You’re welcome
Thanks for stopping by, you have beautiful pictures and they capture the Chinese spirit very well!
Thank you! I was glad to find your blog – I enjoyed your photos and stories and looking forward to following!
Yulia
Excellent shots!!! I had a great time looking at the details of each photos. Your low light photography is fantastic!!! Cheers Nonoy Manga
Thank you Nonoy!
I just had great subjects!
Such beautiful, colorful images, Yulia! I really love your opening shot. It’s too bad we didn’t have more time when we traveled through St. Louis earlier this summer, as it would’ve been fun to have checked this out…
Thank you and welcome back stateside! Where are your travels leading you now? Did you get a chance to see Forest Park when you were in St Louis? It is also one of my favorite spots there…