No matter where you enter this year’s Lunar New Year display at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, you’ll be impressed. Infinite Prosperity: The Year of the Dragon features central elements in each planting bed that command your attention, and all are surrounded by a multitude of live and preserved plants and flowers.
“When designing the Lunar New Year display, our objective was to create an oasis of beauty, tranquility and cultural richness that exemplifies the powerful meaning behind the Year of the Dragon,” said designer Ed Libby.
Enter through the East Bed, and a pathway flanked by golden dragons and bamboo stalks leads to a pagoda where you’ll have a clear view of the West Bed. Cherry blossoms bursting from a graceful tree hang over the path.
In the main West Bed, an enormous golden dragon floats under feathery clouds with a pearl held in his talons, as water cascades down a rocky waterfall to a pond below. And more than 8,000 scales were hand-placed on the dragon.
To one side is a 30-foot tall, intricately detailed representation of the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, a famous Buddhist Temple that dates back many centuries. Here you’ll find the Garden Table, where you can reserve a table for lunch or dinner and dine with an unparalleled view. Noodles, the resort’s pan-Asian restaurant, presents special prix fixe menus for each meal, with only two seatings for lunch and two seatings for dinner each day.
The North Bed is spectacular, with the Chinese god of wealth, Caishen, sitting in the center with a pot of gold in his lap. Frolicking on his sides in front of golden money trees are gorgeously clad children. Behind, LED screens burst with festive fireworks, and Chinese lanterns float overhead.
On the other side of the East Bed a traditional lion dance is taking place, attended by more joyful children watching from around a colorful red bridge. The large lions may fool you at first into thinking they are static, but soon will begin moving their heads and bodies. Overhead, strings of fireworks promise a festive end to the parade.
Ensure a more fortunate year and view this attraction by March 2, when the current display will begin to be switched out for the spring exhibition.
Know This:
• More than 12,000 plants are placed throughout the Conservatory in the Lunar New Year exhibit.
• 23,000 flowers, both preserved and fresh, are used for the creation of the eight children you see in the exhibit.
• In the North Bed, 1,800 I-Ching coins surround Caishen and the money trees. 88 lucky I-Ching coins hang from the trees themselves.
The Garden Table
Eight Treasures dim sum platter lunch features abalone shui mai, traditional shrimp har gau, barbecue pork buns and pan-fried pot stickers, plus dessert and beverages. $98 per person, not including tax and gratuity; up to four guests.
Feast of Prosperity dinner offers Fortune Chilean Sea Bass, Healthy Poached Empress Chicken, Wealthy Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Joyful Pepper Beef and Longevity Noodles, plus dessert and beverages. $138 per person, not including tax and gratuity; up to four guests.
Reservations required.
Bellagio, 702.693.7111, bellagio.mgmresorts.com
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