The Tavern

The Tavern sits in front of a series of hills and mountains. The lower evergreen hills before the mountains reach out to the far sides of the Tavern and seem to partially 'embrace' it in its loving and protecting 'arms'. The towering peaks of the steep granite mountains behind are forever hidden in the misty clouds above. For these heavenly mountains are home to the elegant white cranes, with their red caps, black tipped wings and tails. The cranes are often seen flying in loving pairs, making them symbols of grace, happiness and fidelity. If the cranes are seen soaring up to the clouds above, they symbolise one's aspirations in life, a very auspicious sign. 

Dragons' Gate

A gentle winding stream gathers into a tranquil pool in front of the Tavern before flowing on its way. At whichever point that you wish to cross, a magical oriental wooden bridge will appear and arch over the bending stream to the opposite bank in order to reach the Tavern there. Standing on the bridge and looking into the crystal clear waters below, marvel at the silhouettes of numerous silver and golden carps whose bodies glisten in the sunlight as they skim near the surface of the waters. As the carps approach, they practise their auspicious leaps over the bridge in preparation for the real test that lies a thousand miles beyond the stream. For these carps are on their way to try their luck against the legendary Dragon's Gate. According to an eastern folklore, the carp that succeeds in leaping above the waters and through the Dragon's Gate, will transform into an immortal oriental dragon who will forever soar in the skies and be free from the sufferings of the mortal world below. Of the thousands of carps who attempt every year, only a handful make it and change their lives forever. For the majority who are unsuccessful, the heavens would 'stamp' a red patch on their foreheads, a mark of failure. Despite the risk of being 'branded' for life, thousands of carps still aspire to reach up to the heavens and the celestial life above each year. Hence, a scene of craps leaping out of the waters to cross an obstacle, similar to salmons swimming against the fast flowing currents and leaping over rapids, is considered an auspicious sign of one's hard work and desire to persevere against all odds in life.