Tracing the Suqian Dragon King Temple Palace: A 300-Year Epic of Water Control and Royal Elegance

In Zaohe Town, where the Grand Canal meets Luoma Lake, a cluster of ancient buildings with red walls and yellow tiles stands quietly. This is the Dragon King Temple Palace, known as the "Little Forbidden City of Northern Jiangsu." Built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, this royal complex is both a spiritual symbol for emperors praying for peace and prosperity and a brilliant gem along the Grand Canal cultural belt. When the spring sunlight shines on the glazed tiles and the melodies of the thousand-year-old Liuqin opera echo through the ancient theater, a cultural journey across time begins. 1. Monument to Water Control: Historical Echoes from Floods to Peace The birth of the Dragon King Temple Palace is closely linked to the Yellow River floods. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Yellow River changed course, diverting into the Huai River and causing frequent floods in the Suqian section, bringing great suffering to the people. To pray for the Dragon King to calm the floods, the temple was first built in the Shunzhi period. In the 23rd year of Kangxi (1684), it was extensively rebuilt. Emperor Qianlong stayed here five times during his southern tours, adding structures such as the Imperial Stele Pavilion and Yu King Hall, forming today’s northern palace-style complex with three courtyards and nine successive halls. Entering the palace, the first sights are the two archways inscribed with “Clear Rivers” and “Calm Seas,” symbolizing the ancient people's deep wishes for peace. Passing through the archways, above the mountain gate on the north side of the square, the seven gilded characters “Imperially Built Anlan Dragon King Temple” written by Emperor Qianlong himself stand out, with a “Qianlong Imperial Calligraphy” seal on the stele, exuding royal majesty. The pair of stone lions in front of the gate are especially unique, blending northern and southern styles: the male lion steps on a ball, and the female lion cradles a cub. After 300 years of weathering, they remain vivid and lifelike, the only Qing Dynasty royal stone lions of their kind in Jiangsu Province. The Imperial Stele Pavilion is one of the palace’s core cultural relics. Inside stands a 5-meter-tall stele carved from a single piece of bluestone. The stele cap is engraved with the words “Imperial Decree,” and the four sides of the stele body record the reasons for the temple’s construction during Kangxi and Yongzheng’s reigns, as well as imperial poems written by Qianlong during his five stays. Notably, the last character of each of the five poems is “wave,” subtly echoing the water control theme. The stele base is shaped like a “gongfu” mythical beast, said to swallow rivers and spit water, embodying hopes for flood control and peace for the people. 2. Architectural Splendor: A Royal Blend of North and South The architectural art of the Dragon King Temple Palace is exceptional, with a strict symmetrical layout combining the grandeur of northern royal buildings and the delicacy of southern Jiangnan gardens. Along the central axis are the ancient theater, mountain gate, Imperial Stele Pavilion, Dragon King Hall, and Yu King Hall, arranged in sequence. On both sides, bell and drum towers, east and west side halls, and palaces are staggered, forming a closed layout of “four courtyards and three entrances.” The ancient theater at the southernmost end features eaves that curve upward like swallows in flight. A gilded plaque reading “Zou He Ping” hangs on the lintel, with “Yang Chun” and “Bai Xue” plaques on the upper and lower doors, exuding elegance. When Emperor Qianlong stayed here, he watched the local Zaohe Liuqin opera, and traditional performances still take place on the stage today, allowing visitors to experience the timeless charm of Chinese opera. The Dragon King Hall is the main hall of the palace, with a double-eaved Xieshan roof covered in yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles. Inside, carved beams, painted rafters, and flying eaves frame a gilded seated statue of the East Sea Dragon King, whose majestic expression commands respect. Flanking the statue are eight major water gods holding tablets, as if ready to obey the Dragon King’s orders. Behind the hall, colorful murals depict an elephant carrying a child holding a “wan nian qing” (evergreen), symbolizing eternal vitality. In front of the moon platform stands an iron cauldron weighing over a ton, once used to burn paper offerings during rituals; its weathered rust tells stories of time gone by. Yu King Hall is the tallest building in the palace, over 20 meters high with two stories. The roof is decorated with yellow glazed tube tiles and dragon finials. Emperor Qianlong stayed here overnight five times. Inside the second-floor “main palace,” the dragon bed, dragon chair, and desk, though weathered, still reveal the royal grandeur of the past. In front of the east and west palace gates grow six trees—cypress, persimmon, paulownia, Chinese toon, locust, and poplar—symbolizing “eternal spring” and “lasting prosperity,” representing the nation’s flourishing destiny. 3. Folk Festival: A 300-Year-Old Temple Fair Legend Every year from the 8th to the 10th day of the first lunar month, the Zaohe Dragon King Temple Fair is one of the largest folk events in northern Jiangsu. Originating in the Ming Dynasty and made famous by Qianlong’s multiple visits, it ranks first among the 36 major incense festivals in northern Jiangsu. During the fair, the ancient town of Zaohe is packed with people. On the 8th, the “Fireworks Day,” the Dragon Pool Square lights up with dazzling fireworks, blending traditional pyrotechnics with modern lighting. On the 9th, the “Main Sacrifice Day,” a sacrificial altar is set up on the moon platform of the Dragon King Hall, with music playing and devotees burning incense and bowing, praying for favorable weather. The most spectacular event is the “Four Mountains Grand Assembly,” featuring a royal procession with 12 yellow canopy umbrellas, 4 dragon gate flags, and 24 sand lanterns, recreating the solemnity of Qing Dynasty imperial rituals. Besides rituals, the fair is a grand showcase of folk arts. Performances of Liuqin opera, Huaihai opera, flower boat dances, and other intangible cultural heritage alternate on stage, while Shandong kuaishu and Henan zhuizi arts also blend in. The food street fills the air with aromas of local specialties like Zhao family rice soup, Qianlong tribute pastries, and wheel cakes, alongside delicacies from across China such as Changsha stinky tofu and Xinjiang lamb skewers, delighting visitors. Recently, with the completion of Zaohe Longyun City, modern entertainment like the “Dayu Controls the Waters” 5D cinema and rapid river rides have been added, infusing new vitality into the traditional fair. 4. New Chapter of the Canal: From Palace to Cultural Tourism Complex To protect and utilize this precious cultural heritage, Suqian City has invested heavily in restoring the Dragon King Temple Palace and developed the Zaohe Longyun City cultural tourism complex centered around it. The newly built Qianlong’s Southern Tour Grand Garden recreates the grand scenes of Qianlong’s southern inspection tours through immersive settings. The Shili Tongsheng Commercial Street blends Ming and Qing architectural styles with modern commercial elements, becoming a popular spot for visitors to relax and shop. Within Longyun City, the “Ancient Canal Millennium” flying cinema offers immersive experiences that transport visitors through time to witness the Grand Canal’s thousand-year evolution. The “Drama of Qianlong · Zaohe Storm” live water battle show combines wirework, explosions, and special effects with historical stories, immersing the audience in the scene. Additionally, the complex offers Hanfu rentals and intangible cultural heritage handicraft workshops, allowing visitors to deeply engage in traditional culture preservation. At night, the Dragon King Temple Palace appears even more solemn and elegant under the lights, with fireworks shows in Longyun City reflecting on the lake, creating a stunning visual feast for visitors. For accommodation, the five-star Weijing International Hotel, inspired by traditional scholar-official culture, provides a comfortable resting place. 5. Beauty of the Four Seasons: Unique Experiences Year-Round The Dragon King Temple Palace offers beautiful scenery in every season. In spring, apricot blossoms bloom in front of the ancient theater, contrasting charmingly with the red walls and green tiles. In summer, ancient cypress trees in front of Yu King Hall provide refreshing shade. In autumn, ginkgo leaves beside the Imperial Stele Pavilion form a golden carpet, like a painting. In winter, snow-covered glazed tiles sparkle like an ice palace from a fairy tale. Besides the temple fair, the palace hosts rich activities in other seasons. The spring “Mountain Date” flower viewing guide, autumn Grand Canal Cultural Festival, and winter intangible cultural heritage market ensure visitors find surprises no matter when they come. From the Dragon King Temple built to pray for flood control to a cultural tourism complex integrating cultural experiences and leisure entertainment, Suqian Dragon King Temple Palace has weathered 300 years and still radiates vibrant life. Here, you can touch the weight of history, feel the warmth of culture, and experience the fusion of tradition and modernity. Standing beneath the flying eaves of Yu King Hall, gazing at the flowing Grand Canal in the distance, you may hear the echoes of history and see a nation’s eternal pursuit of a better life. Dragon King Temple Palace