Lugouqiao Bridge

The Lugouqiao Bridge was built from 1189 to 1192 in Ming Dynasty. It is 266.5 meters long, 7.5 meters wide. It has eleven arches. The shape of its pier is like a boat, the side towered the upper stream has been sharpen, and each point has been fixed with an iron pillar, so as to prevent the destruction of flood and ice water, so they are referred to as "Ice-chopping sword".

The stone lions on the posts of the bridge are most famous. There is an interesting proverb that "You can never count the lions on the Lugouqiao Bridge". So you can imagine yourself how many lions there are. It is said that there are 485 in all, and someone also says there are 498 or 501. And, which is more important, all the lions have been delicately carved, and every two of them have some differences between them. In this way, the bridge is just like an art gallery.

There are a pair of big lions and a pair of elephants on the two ends of the bridge separately. And on one end, there is a stone tablet with the words "Dawn Moon Over Lugouqiao Bridge", written by the emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty.

This bridge has been repaired for many times, recording many historial facts. The "Lugouqiao Bridge Event" occoured in July 7th will be a sign of the inexorable Chinese People into the history for ever.

You may be interested to our last tourist destination -- The Yuanmingyuan Gardens Park.