The Lugou Bridge,also known as the Marco Polo Bridge,was built in 1189 on the southwest outskirts of Beijing.

Considered to be one of the best-known arched bridges in China,the bridge is 266.5metes long,7.5meters wide and it has 11arches and 140 stone columns .”it is indeed the most wonderful and unique bridge in th e world “.wrote the Italian traveler Marco Polo in his book 《Travels of Marco Polo 》.

Besides the outstanding architecture, what interests people most about the Lugou Bridge is the stone lions carved on the columns.The lions are extremely lifelike.Each column is topped with a big lion surrounded by many smaller ones ,and the smallest is only a few centimeters high. Some of them stand on the heads or backs of the bigger ones .some lie under their feet in their embrace,and others show only half a head .they are depicted in different postures-sitting,lying ,standing and crouching