Daily Traditions
March 20th - September 6th
Exhibitions at the Golden Dragon Museum
Be amazed by Australia’s largest and most significant collection of Chinese heritage and cultural objects and the stories they tell.
In the two Permanent Galleries, Sun Loong Gallery and Loong Gallery, you will encounter a rich array of several thousand objects. From 100+ metre long Dragons to tiny teacups, our gallery displays are a feast for your eyes and will also spark new interests and understandings.
Enjoy regularly changing exhibitions in the Temporary Exhibition Space, where we often collaborate with our community. Here you might find new acquisitions, contemporary artworks, or fresh perspectives on Chinese Australian culture and history.
Temporary
Included with Museum entry / general admission
Exhibitions
Enjoy regularly changing exhibitions in the Temporary Exhibition space, where we often collaborate with our community. Whether showing works by local artists, artefacts from collectors and other museums, or items from our own collections, you will find fresh perspectives and displays that engage keenly with Chinese Australian culture and history.
Permanent Exhibitions
Sun Loong Gallery
Included with Museum entry / general admission
Welcome to the Sun Loong Gallery, where you can meet dragons and lions, learn about the history of Chinese people in Bendigo and admire beautiful examples of Chinese craftsmanship.
As you walk into the circular Sun Loong Gallery, past the large cloisonné lions guarding the entrance, your eye will be immediately drawn to the two large and colourful processional dragons directly in front – Sun Loong and Dai Gum Loong. With each dragon over 100 metres long, their impressive mirrored and beaded bodies coil around a ramp that extends around the entire length of the curved wall of the gallery.
The dragons’ processional regalia – banners and costumes – are also on display throughout the gallery, along with stories about Bendigo’s 130+ year dragon parading history.
Embodying a commanding presence, Sun Loong and Dai Gum Loong are the heart of the gallery. However, while the two main parading dragons are impressive, don’t forget to look for the other FIVE performing dragons on display in this space. (Hint, they are much smaller and you need to look up high). Keep an eye out for the dancing lions as well!
On either side of the gallery entrance, under the ramp that displays Sun Loong and Dai Gum Loong, you will find exhibits tracing the origins, migration and settlement of Chinese people in the Bendigo area. They include stories about the Gold Rush, community life and cultural traditions.
Scattered throughout the Sun Loong Gallery are large-scale examples of Chinese art and craft practices, including cloisonné, porcelain, metal and woodwork pieces. These items include Chinese religious and cultural figures, vases, censors and furniture such as chairs and cabinets.
Meet our three rare and significant large parade dragons which are treasures of the museum, marvel at their beautiful hand-made design and associated regalia, and learn about the unique, unbroken Chinese dragon parading history in Bendigo that began in the late 19 Century and continues to this day.
Discover the fascinating history of Chinese people in the Bendigo area, from migration in the goldrush period and beyond, through to today’s Chinese community. Reflect on the contributions the Chinese community have made to Australia’s diverse cultural identity and way of life.Admire the craftsmanship of beautiful Chinese artefacts, including cloisonné, porcelain, metal and woodwork pieces in the form of furniture and large-scale religious & decorative pieces.
Wander where your curiosity takes you in our permanent galleries and discover our extensive displays for yourself, or stop and chat to our gallery guides to hear more about local Chinese traditions, stories and collection objects.
If you want to dive deeper, we welcome bookings for 1 hour paid guided tours for groups of 15 or more, and in school holidays we offer free 15 minute introductory tours for everyone, every day, at 11.00 am, with no bookings required. We also welcome school group bookings.
Loong Gallery
Included with museum entry / general admission
Welcome to the Loong Gallery, where you can meet the world’s oldest surviving complete parade dragon; learn about a significant historical Chinese figure; and admire beautiful examples of Chinese craftsmanship.
The Golden Dragon Museum’s oldest dragon, Loong, is the namesake of this gallery, and he is on permanent display here. Loong first paraded in 1901, the year of Federation and he paraded for 69 years until his retirement in 1970. He was replaced by Sun Loong, who is on display in the Sun Loong Gallery. Loong can no longer parade as he is now very fragile and has undergone recent conservation work to preserve him into the future.
The head of another significant dragon, Yar Loong – the ‘Night Dragon’ – is also on display in this gallery. He is our second oldest dragon, and dates from 1939. A historic drum cart ensemble once used in the Bendigo Easter parade is also on view.
As you move through the gallery you will encounter a display about Sun Yat Sen, a key Chinese political figure who founded the Republic of China and is considered the father of modern China.
Almost everywhere you turn in the Loong gallery you will find examples of Chinese craftsmanship. Highlights include a life-size serpentine jade carriage; an en masse display of ornate metal censers (incense burners); as well as many examples of historic Qing dynasty clothing, including processional outfits. There are also numerous items of ornate wooden furniture, including decorative screens, thrones and a wedding bed.
This gallery provides an opportunity to consider Chinese cultural traditions and their influence on Chinese Australian identity today.
Bendigo’s dragons are rare surviving examples of the Chinese cultural practice of dragon parading, which was once common in the 19 Century but has largely disappeared from China since the Cultural Revolution. Dragon parading in Bendigo dates back to the late 19 Century – and continues to this day.
Sun Loong, whose name means ‘New Dragon’ in Cantonese, is now semi-retired after 50 years of parading. He started parading in 1970, when he replaced Loong, his predecessor. Dai Gum Loong means ‘Great Golden Dragon’, and he was first paraded in Bendigo in 2019. He succeeded Sun Loong, and so is now the main parading dragon. He comes out on parade every Easter, so make sure you don’t miss this spectacular event.
The dancing lions have the role of dragon guardians, protecting the dragons during their annual Easter parade and bringing good luck to the event. The lions also are important during Lunar New Year performances as they bring good fortune for the year.
Although they are museum artefacts, an important aspect of the care and interpretation of Dai Gum Loong, the lions and many of the regalia items is their activation each year during the Bendigo Easter Fair. Parading and performing brings these objects alive, drawing community together, and sustaining an important Chinese ceremonial and spiritual practice.