Four original zodiac heads from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing are on display at an exhibition in CityU's Indra and Harry Banga Gallery starting July 4 until the end of August. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Four original zodiac heads from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing and a host of national treasures are being displayed at an exhibition in City University of Hong Kong from July 4.

Admission is free provided visitors register in advance on CityU’s official website, or complete on-site registration at the entrance of the tunnel connecting CityU with Festival Walk shopping mall

The free exhibition at CityU’s Indra and Harry Banga Gallery features busts of the ox, tiger, monkey and pig. These cultural relics are being exhibited in Hong Kong for the second time, following a previous exhibition in 2004.

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The first stage of the exhibition, which runs from July 4 to Aug 31, will showcase the four zodiac heads and bronzeware from Western Zhou dynasty, which is also a national cultural relic.

The second-stage, running from Sept 5 to Oct 31, will feature 12 replica zodiac busts, which were donated by Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan to Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum.

Other exhibits include nearly 30 bronze relics, and several pieces of enameled porcelain from the Qing dynasty.

Officiating guests host the rod-pulling ceremony exhibition titled "The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from the Yuanmingyuan and Important Treasures" on July 3, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Admission is free provided visitors register in advance on CityU’s official website, or complete on-site registration at the entrance of the tunnel connecting CityU with Festival Walk shopping mall.

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The exhibition, – “The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from the Yuanmingyuan and Important Treasures” –, has been staged by CityU, China Tourism Group, and Poly Art Museum.

The event will also use innovative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Mixed Reality and Augmented Reality to provide visitors with an immersive experience.

Libby Chan, director of the CityU gallery, said she hoped that the exhibition would encourage parents to bring their children to visit and learn about the important historical and cultural heritage of the Old Summer Palace.

(Intern Mike Wong contributed to this story)