During recent heavy rains, visitors to Beijing's iconic Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, were amazed by the spectacular scenes of rainwater gushing out of stone dragon heads. These ancient spouts are not just decorative; they play a crucial role in keeping the historic palace flood-free.
With a total of 1,142 dragon head-shaped spouts located on the base platforms of the three main halls, the Palace Museum boasts an ingenious drainage system. These spouts effectively drain excess water, preventing floods even during intense rainstorms. This remarkable engineering has helped the centuries-old complex remain mostly flood-free since its construction.
The Palace Museum's drainage system is a testament to the advanced architectural knowledge of ancient China. It seamlessly blends functionality with artistry, ensuring that the grandeur of the Forbidden City is preserved for future generations to admire and explore.
