Golden Dragon Museum

A Pagoda symbolises an image of the Sacred Mountain which represents the world centre. Its storeys signify the degrees of ascent to the heavens

It is believed that the word is derived from the Italian pagoda taken from the Persian "House of Idols", or from the dagoba or stupa as used in Theravada Buddhism.

In China the tradiational Pagoda is a Buddhist Temple. It was probably introduced from India along with Buddhism in the first century AD. They were often built to commemorate important events.

Throughout the world, the Pagoda has been

built to signify humankind's creative achievements in architecture, from the Temple of Heaven in Beijing to the Dynasty Hotel in Singapore. The shape and concept of the pagoda building has transcended cultural boundaries.

The Pagoda proposed by the Bendigo Chinese Association is an extension of the Golden Dragon Museum. It will be eight storeys high with an elevator in the centre. Each storey will interpret the arts and crafts of each Dynasty of China. The top floor will be a revolving restaurant! The eight levels display the Dynasties of China and will provide visitors with an excellent link to the origins of the Chinese miners who arrived here in the 1850's.

The proposed pagoda will be a functioning space and the design of the building will take into consideration the cultural integrity and appearance of the Chinese pagoda building. The design of this building will be sympathetic to the design of the Museum and the Classical Chinese Gardens.

The Bendigo Pagoda will commemorate the Chinese contribution to the heritage of Bendigo. From its humble beginnings in the 1850's, through the impact of Federation in 1901 to the construction of the Museum in 1970, Chinese heritage has been and will continue to be an integral part of Bendigo's cultural life.