Golden Dragon Museum

The Bendigo Chinese Association building, or Gee Guang Tong (Hall), at 260 Bridge Street was built around 1895 to house the extensive regalia and processional objects as well as a meeting place for the community.

The huge flagpole, a significant feature of the building, was a means of publicly demonstrating Chinese patriotism to the Queen, the British Empire and respect for the country's laws.

The four characters Chung Wah Gong Hui painted on the glass above the red double doors translate as
"Meeting Place for Chinese". This heritage building has strong similarities to bank and commercial

buildings along the Bund in old Hong Kong.

The leadlight windows on either side of the entrance depict two crossed flags with five colour bands. These are the flags of the Provisional Republic of China formed in 1911, after the revolution deposing the last Manchu emperor. The colours on the flags are red, yellow, blue, white and black, representing in turn the five peoples of China; Manchus,

Gee Guang Tong leadlight window showing the five colour flag

Chinese, Mongols, Muslims and Tibetans. (see also Symbolism)

The new museum, opened in 1991, was designed to house the increasingly vast collection, including Sun Loong the longest Imperial dragon in the world (over 100 metres / 300 feet long), Loong the oldest Imperial dragon in the world (over 100 years) and their accompanying regalia. (see also Dragons)

Previously only seen by visitors to Bendigo's Easter Fair, these valuable exhibits were formerly packed away in the Chinese Association rooms after every parade. With the construction of the Golden Dragon Museum they are now available to the viewing public all year round.

Chinese heritage is an integral part of Bendigo. From the gold rush of the 1850's to the present day, the Bendigo Chinese community has influenced the proud history of Bendigo, from a tradition of charitable works for local hospitals to spectacular displays in the Bendigo Easter Fair. (see also Events Calendar)

Having become the hub of Chinese cultural activity in Australia, the museum allows visitors to actively experience Chinese arts and crafts with visiting artisans and tradespeople.