Zootopia 2 has brought the world’s attention back to a vibrant metropolis ruled by animals.
But what if we told you that the world’s oldest “Zootopia” is right here in China — inside Beijing’s Forbidden City?

Scattered across rooftops, palace gates, and sacred halls are various divine guardian beasts — symbols of power, protection, and good fortune since the Ming Dynasty.

We created a short video “Forbidden City Zootopia” to showcase some of the most iconic mythical creatures inside the Palace Museum:

• Lions guarding the imperial power
• Dragons and phoenixes symbolizing royal authority
• Qilin — the legendary beast of peace and prosperity
• The mysterious “roof ridge beasts” watching over the emperors
• …and more hidden animal guardians!

Watch the full video here: