They can be fickle, lucky or divine - sometimes all of the above - but more importantly they are revered throughout the country. 

The mythical brilliance of the dragon continues to ignite the popular imagination, even in modern times: Last summer, a story about a man who claimed to have found a dragon in his backyard went viral. In contrast to the malevolent dragons of the West, Chinese dragons are auspicious, often seen as neutral guardians or even benevolent protectors. That is not to say that Chinese dragons are not dangerous - their powers frequently include magic and a whole host of special powers. To celebrate the dragon's role in Chinese mythology, the World of Chinese has compiled this bestiary of ancient Chinese dragons.

Time travel at the Forbidden City	Digital technique reproduces Mogao Grottoes	Buddha jumps over the wall