The Nine Dragon Screen [Photo provided to shanxi.chinadaily.com.cn/datong]

The Nine Dragon Screen in Datong city is imposing and appealing. Among three existing colored glaze screen walls in China, the oldest and the largest one have the most artistic charm.

The other two are now in Beijing – one is in front of the Gate of Imperial Supremacy at the Forbidden City, and the other is in Beihai Park. They were both built in 1756 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), while the construction of nine-dragon screen in Datong was built 364 years earlier.

In the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the founder Zhu Yuanzhang sent his 25 sons nationwide to govern and defend the territories and supervise local military, political, financial and cultural affairs in order to consolidate his regime.

Zhu Gui, the thirteenth son, was sent to supervise Datong, a vital military area in the north at the time.

Zhu built his mansion there. Its grandness and luxury were well expressed by the connected winding corridors.

To demonstrate the mansion’s splendor and dignity, Zhu ordered to set up the one-side nine-dragon screen in front of the main entrance.

Unfortunately, the magnificent buildings were completely destroyed during a series of wars. Only the nine-dragon screen has survived.