He Li Yun Tian

 

　　The sculpture, designed and constructed by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, stands at approximately 15 meters tall. At its top, there is stainless steel sculpture of two soaring red-crowned cranes, while beneath the cranes, four golden characters "He Li Yun Tian" were inscribed by Chen Lei, former Governor of Heilongjiang Province. The term "He Li" refers to the resonant cry of the red-crowned crane, and "Yun Tian" signifies that these birds can fly at altitudes of around 3000 meters, though they typically fly below 1000 meters.

 

 

 

 

Rui He Cheng Xiang (Crane Observation Platform)

 

　　The garden here complements the natural landscape, offering a broad view. The red-crowned crane is a symbol of auspiciousness and beauty in traditional Chinese culture. As the crane’s call echoes through the rear garden, its clear sound travels with the wind. Stepping into Zhalong, one is enveloped by an atmosphere of good fortune, leading to a sense of joy and serenity, leaving behind all worries and honors.

 

 

 

 

Song He Yan Nian

 

　　The red-crowned crane is a long-lived bird, with an average lifespan of about 60 years in the wild, and the longest recorded lifespan for captive red-crowned cranes being 87 years. Throughout history, calligraphers and painters have often used "He Shou" and images of Pine and Crane Painting to convey wishes for a long life.

 

 

 

 

Lu He Tong Chun

 

　　The main elements are pavilion, cranes, and deer, with the ground featuring two hexagons. Six willow trees and six apricot trees are planted. Inside the pavilion's dome, there are poems and paintings of six cranes by Emperor Huizong of Song, symbolizing smooth sailing, shared springtime, and complete fortune and prosperity.

 

 

 

 

Shu Lin Gui He (Crane Release Pavilion)

 

　　The pavilion was constructed in imitation of the Fanghe Pavilion on Gushan on Hangzhou's West Lake. Lin Hejing, a renowned recluse poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, famously referred to plum trees as his “wife” and cranes as his “children”, earning him the nickname "Plum as Wife, Cranes as Children". He frequently took boat rides on West Lake to visit friends. Should anyone come to Gushan to pay him a visit, a young servant would release a crane to let him know. The pavilion houses works by notable figures such as Lin Hejing, Cui Yongan, Emperor Kangxi, Dong Qichang, and Bao Zhao, etc.

 

 

 

 

Xian Qin Gao Rui  

 

　　The phrase "Auspicious birds suddenly appear, announcing good fortune" is derived from the Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong's inscription on the "Auspicious Crane Painting," symbolizing the arrival of auspicious signs. The view from above resembles the Taijitu (Tai Chi Diagram), suggesting a fairyland where cranes reside. The red-crowned crane, with its black and white feathers and a touch of red on top of its head, is also known as the immortal crane for its longevity, making it particularly cherished by Taoists.

 

 

 

 

He Ming Jiu Gao  

 

　　Zhalong is the world's largest breeding ground for red-crowned cranes, earning it the nickname "Home to Cranes." The giant egg-shaped building is symbolic of this. From here, one can overlook the vast wetlands and often spot these elegant birds in their natural habitat, accompanied by the sound of their calls. The I Ching(The Book of Changes) mentions, "When a crane calls in the shade, its young respond. Similarly, The Book of Songs refers to "The crane cries in the marshes, its sound soars in the sky; The crane cries in the marshes, its voice is heard across the wild." In ancient times, the term "He Ming Scholar" was used to praise those who, though not in official positions, possessed both virtue and talent, and whose reputations were far-reaching.

 

 

 

 

Tan Bu Xun Zong  

 

　　Wild red-crowned cranes are migratory birds that travel widely across Northeast Asia, residing in the depths of wetlands where they are seldom seen by humans. However, Zhalong is home to a large number of captive-bred red-crowned cranes. Strolling leisurely through the wetland of Zhalong, one can easily find traces of these elegant birds, encountering symbols of fortune, beauty, and wonder.