One of the most interesting and unique LEGO sets this year is the #80121 LEGO Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn. The set is centered on everyday life from the Song Dynasty era and the Chinese Moon Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival). This is the second most important festival in China after the Lunar New Year, focusing on family togetherness, similar to Thanksgiving. It is also when the moon is at its brightest, hence the name “Moon Festival”.
The model features a busy inn with two bedrooms and a restaurant, connected by a bridge to a teahouse. And there is also a small side-build with a well and a tree.
The main model in this 1,530-piece set measures over 10 in. (25 cm) high, 11 in. (28 cm) wide, and 10 in. (27 cm) deep. The parts are separated into 11 bags. A sticker sheet is also included.
You can lift off the roofs and upper levels to discover historic decor and hidden Easter eggs related to the life of Sun Dongpo, the famous and highly influential 11th-century Chinese poet, writer, painter, calligrapher, scholar, and philosopher of the Song Dynasty.
In fact, one of the nine included minifigs is Su Dongpo himself. The other characters are a farmer with a cart, the inn’s owner, the chef, the teahouse owner, a musician, a businessman with a horse, and two other local people.
The set combines the elegant details of LEGO Architecture models with the added playability of themes like LEGO Ninjago and LEGO Monkie Kid. The set could easily be mixed with the buildings and characters from those collections.
The instruction booklet provides some more insights about the set as well as its main character, Su Dongpo:
“A famous poet of the Song Dynasty of China, Su Dongpo, left behind verses eternal – among them the celebrated Preclude to Water Melody. His life was marked by ups and downs, but wherever he went, he could turn the sufferings of life into artistic inspiration. Inspired by the angled cornices and detailed wooden beams in hotels from the Song Dynasty, our set evokes a poetic evening, when Su Dongpo sips tea under the moon, expressing his feelings through poetry. May Su Dongpo’s wisdom – turning hard times into beautiful views – remind us to stay open-hearted and see every challenge as part of the scenery, with good luck always by our side.”
It’s interesting to note that the set is recommended for ages 9+, which confirms that this is indeed a suitable playset for kids similar to LEGO Ninjago and LEGO Monkie Kid, while also a suitable display piece and collectors’ item for adults. Through the LEGO Builder App, four people can build the set together, which would make building this set a wonderful family event. This really is one of the best sets of the year, and the price of $129.99 is very reasonable as well. If you would like to check it out, it’s available at the seasonal items section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like this unique LEGO set celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival? Do you have the set already, or are you planning to get it? Feel free to share your thoughts and own reviews in the comment section below!
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