The city of Liverpool is gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a spectacular display of festivities centered around its iconic Chinese arch. The arch, a symbol of the strong ties between Liverpool and Shanghai, will serve as the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Wood Snake.
Thousands are set to gather around Liverpool's stunning Chinese arch in a matter of weeks to ring in the Lunar New Year. As the city prepares to welcome the Year of the Snake with colourful parades and the crackle of firecrackers, many might wonder about the history of the ornate gateway to the city’s renowned Chinatown. Liverpool is proud to be home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe and boasts the tallest Chinese Arch outside mainland China.
The Imperial Arch arrived in pieces in October 1999. A team of 20 stonemasons, carvers, painters and construction engineers, who had travelled from Liverpool’s twin city of Shanghai, constructed it over 90 days. It was completed just in time for the city’s 2000 annual festivities. Over two decades later, it still graces Nelson Street and is one of the most striking landmarks in Liverpool city centre. The arch, embellished with 200 dragons and featuring five roofs, stands at an impressive 13.5 metres or 44 feet. Flanked by two bronze lions, it was built according to Feng Shui principles. The 188 ordinary dragons and 12 pregnant dragons on the arch symbolise good fortune between Liverpool and Shanghai. The grand archway bears the inscription 'Zhong Guo Cheng,' which aptly means 'Chinatown.' It is made of wood and marble and decorated with gold, red, green and the Chinese Royal colour of yellow. The archway symbolises the partnership between the Liverpool Chinatown Business Association, the Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool Rope Walks, and the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. The show-stopper will serve as the backdrop for the huge crowds that descend on the area on Sunday, February 2. The next 12 months will celebrate the Year of The Wood Snake which brings wisdom, transformation, calmness and creativity. As we bid farewell to the turbulent year of the dragon, people can expect to reconnect and even find love from Wednesday, January 29, onwards. A full programme of events has just been announced. You can see all the celebrations here
LUNA NEW YEAR CHINATOWN CHINESE ARCH SHANGHAI LIVERPOOL
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