A smoke-snorting Dragon-Horse will breathe fire for summer vacationers during the July 18-Aug 23 Parent-Child Carnival at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Hengqin New Area, except when it allegedly rests in its den on Mondays and Thursdays.

The Long Ma Jing Shen (Spirit of the Dragon-Horse), 12 m (13 yd) tall, 18 m (20 yd) long, and 50 tons in weight, was created in 2014 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. It consists of a dragon head on a horse body, as the two countries knotted ties in the Year of the Dragon and their 50th anniversary was in the Year of the Horse. 

Parade of Long Ma Jing Shen (Spirit of the Dragon-Horse) [Photo by Zhu Xi / Guanhai App]

The yellow-and-black animatronic beast runs, leaps, bends, and retreats. It also undertakes difficult moves such as blinking, turning its neck and ears, shaking its tail, protruding its tongue, puffing fire, and emitting smoke. Behind the creation is a world-leading Euro 4 engine and mechanical automated control system and 15 collaborating operators.

In addition to the Dragon-Horse parade, visitors can take in new fireworks and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) shows this summer. Three hundred UAVs will form a large variety of marine animals in the sky.

Many popular recreational attractions -- Whale Shark Aquarium, Penguin Hall, Parrot Roller Coaster, Super Riptide, Iceberg Roller Coaster, and Ocean Sleepover -- have reopened.

Through cultural-creative products, Hengqin Chimelong International Ocean Resort wants to encourage parents and children to explore and acquire a better understanding of the ocean, said Jiang Minling, general manager of the resort.

Since the resort resumed operations on April 30, the number of visitors has averaged about 20,000 during workdays and more than 30,000 on weekends.