Within London City there is the The City of London, the oldest part of the city where the King needs to ask for permission to enter. This city inside a city is historically protected by 14 cast-iron dragon statues that mark its entry points, guarding the roads against invaders. These dragons demarcate the boundaries of a location with roots tracing back to the Roman settlement of the 1st century. Though the ancient walls are long gone, this inner city remains a distinct entity within London, an area rich in history and still symbolically guarded by these City of London dragon statues.

In August 2023, I documented this unique area with 1,500 photos while walking the 10-kilometre perimeter, capturing the historic identity and modern urban life. These pages tells the story of that walk, exploring the blend of history, commerce, and the dynamic transformation of one of the world’s most influential financial districts.