A visitor takes a photo of one of the four zodiac heads from Beijing's imperial Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, that are on display at the City University of Hong Kong on July 4, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

A set of highly valued national treasures, including four zodiac heads from Beijing’s imperial Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, are on display at the City University of Hong Kong.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from Yuanmingyuan and Important Treasures on July 3, Lester Garson Huang, council chairman of the CityU, said the exhibition is an example of how application of science and technology can help expand the appreciation of art and culture.

Jointly organized by the China Tourism Group Corporation (CTG), China Poly Group Corporation and the CityU, the exhibition is being held in conjunction with the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 100th anniversary of the CTG.

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The zodiac heads were part of the features of the great fountain in Haiyantang, Yuanmingyuan, with each zodiac head spraying water in turn to tell the time.

Other exhibits include nearly 30 national bronze relics from the Shang Dynasty (c.16th-11th century BC) and Zhou Dynasty (1100 to 256 BCE), the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), as well as several pieces of enameled porcelain from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

China Daily's Andy Chong took these photos.