Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Ushers in the Year of the Dragon with Breathtaking Display
In celebration of Lunar New Year, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has unveiled its new display, “Infinite Prosperity: The Year of the Dragon,” on view through March 2. A collaborative effort between designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s talented horticulture team, the exhibit uses glamorous floral arrangements and vibrant décor to pay homage to the highly anticipated Year of the Dragon. The display thoughtfully draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Asian architecture, folklore and culture, with each element meticulously designed to symbolize the promise of a favorable new year.
“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 Libby. “This is a stunning exhibit where visitors can come together to welcome the new year and embrace the prosperity and good fortune it will bring.”
West Bed
The West Bed unfolds as a mesmerizing scene, featuring a 30-foot-tall replica of the Temple of Six Banyan Trees, which also houses the Conservatory’s immersive dining experience, The Garden Table. A benevolent dragon gracefully descends from the billowy clouds above the bed, holding a larger-than-life pearl, representing good luck, strength, prosperity and health. Nearby, a majestic waterfall cascades over mossy rocks into the pond below, signifying the cleansing essence of the new year. Beautifully detailed bronze ding pots, scattered throughout the bed and across the exhibit, evoke ancient traditions, expressing gratitude for the past year and the hope for continued good fortune in all facets of life.
North Bed
At the heart of the North Bed, Caishen, the revered Chinese God of Wealth, smiles majestically upon an abundance of gold coins. Brightly festooned children play joyfully among the lucky coins, creating a festive scene. The background comes alive with bursts of brilliantly colored fireworks and cascading gold I-Ching coins on LED screens. Shiny gold money trees, adorned with 88 I-Ching coins each – a nod to the lucky number eight – shower the ground below in opulent abundance.
East Bed
In the East Bed, an elegantly tiered pagoda gracefully ascends above a pearl-shaped fountain, surrounded by suspended cloisonné cherry blossom sculptures that captivate onlookers. Ancient dragons of intricate gilded design stand guard over guests who have come to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Emerald stalks of elegant bamboo stand tall amid the bright floral landscape, evoking a sense of peace and harmony. A popular motif in world art, literature and philosophy, bamboo is often associated with renewal, vitality and prosperity. A burst of vibrant pink and white flowers adorn the branches of the majestic cherry blossom trees, representing a time of renewal and optimism while reminding everyone to appreciate life’s fragility and transience.
South Bed
Cheerful children perform a traditional dragon dance throughout the South Bed while their 44-foot dragon puppet wards off evil spirits amid the celebration. Overhead, festive firecrackers crafted from luxurious red silk with golden accents symbolize luck while dispelling evil spirits, marking the commencement of a safe and prosperous new year. Boldly colored lions stand guard at each end of a bridge, ensuring secure passage for merry revelers. A brilliant red wooden structure spans the gentle stream below, symbolizing connection and unity.
The Garden Table
Guests can enjoy an epicurean journey at The Garden Table, an intimate, immersive dining experience nestled within the iconic Conservatory. In honor of Lunar New Year, The Garden Table is hosted within a beautiful replica of the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, serving an exquisite dim sum lunch and dinner feast curated by Bellagio’s beloved Pan-Asian restaurant, Noodles. Menu offerings include:
Eight Treasures Dim Sum Platter Lunch
- Menu highlights: Abalone Shui Mai, Traditional Shrimp Har Gau, Barbeque Pork Buns and Pan-Fried Pot Stickers, among other specialties, along with dessert and select beverages. To view the entire menu, click here.
- $98/pp prix fixe menu, exclusive of tax and gratuity
- Available seven days a week; reservations available at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. only
Feast of Prosperity Dinner
- Menu highlights: Fortune Chilean Sea Bass, Healthy Poached Empress Chicken, Wealthy Salt & Pepper Shrimp, Joyful Pepper Beef and Longevity Noodles, plus dessert and select beverages. To view the entire menu, click here.
- $138/pp prix fixe menu, exclusive of tax and gratuity
- Available seven days a week; reservations available at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. only
The Garden Table experience can accommodate up to four guests and reservation time is limited to 1.5 hours. Guests are to check-in at the Noodles restaurant and be escorted to The Garden Table. Reservations are required for lunch and dinner and can be made online or by calling 702.693.7317.
Sustainability at the Conservatory
Water used in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens comes from on-site underground wells that use rain and recycled water from the resort, avoiding the use of municipal potable water. The water in the Conservatory is also recycled throughout the exhibit and reused at the resort. Bellagio’s water conservation efforts are part of MGM Resorts International’s overall sustainability commitment.
At the conclusion of each display, plants and botanical material without remaining viable life are separated for collection by a local composting facility. The organic waste is made into compost products to help improve the environment. This method of recycling keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of local landfills and turns it into something that improves the region’s soil, air and water quality.
“Infinite Prosperity: The Year of the Dragon” Lunar New Year Display by the Numbers
- 23,000: Fresh and preserved flowers used to make the children
- 12,000: Plants on display throughout the exhibit
- 8,000: Handmade and hand-placed scales on the dragon in the West Bed
- 1,800: I-Ching coins on the money trees and around Caishen in the North Bed
- 800: Bamboo plants in the exhibit
- 24: Cherry Blossoms hung above the entry path
- 8: Happy children throughout the display
- 9: Dragon medallions on the Jade Temple in the East Bed
- 2: Dancing lions in the South Bed
Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, please visit Bellagio’s Newsroom.
About Bellagio Resort & Casino
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the AAA Five Diamond Bellagio Resort & Casino overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 ½-acre lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet. Award-winning dining, a world-class art gallery, the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a sumptuous spa and salon and exclusive luxury shopping all work together to compose the symphony that is Bellagio. Bellagio is owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit bellagio.com, call toll-free at (888) 987-6667 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
