Beijing - Lugou Bridge

    Located in the southwest outskirts of Beijing, Lugou Bridge spans the ancient Lugou River, hence the name of the Bridge. As the extant oldest multi-arch stone bridge, it was constructed in the 29th year of Emperor Dading's Reign in the Jin Dynasty (1189).
    Made of strong granites, and with finely carved balustrade of white marbles on each side, the Bridge totals 266.5 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width. The stone balusters of each balustrade number 140 and 141 respectively. Most fascinating is that every baluster is carved on top with a lion in different shape and expression. The lion carries smaller lions on its back, under its abdomen, besides its paws, or even amid its hair. Indeed, people find it hard to count the number of lions sculptured upon Lugou Bridge. According to the survey in 1961 by the Beijing Cultural Relics Administration, there were 486 lions of various size in total: 281 bigger lions on top of the balusters plus 198 smaller lions on their bodies, apart
from the two lions balancing on their heads the balustrades at the Bridge eastern end, 4 lions atop each of the four sculptured marble columns standing at the Bridge's heads, and one lion discovered later in the sand under the Bridge . However, another survey conducted in 1983 resulted in the total number being 498. For the exact number of lions, please try to count yourself.
    At the Bridge head, the Pavilion housing the white marble stele with the inscription of "Logouxiaoyue" (The Moon over Logou Bridge at Dawn) in Emperor Qianlong's handwriting is one of Beijing's eight scenic attractions.
    Logou Bridge is well-known not only for its long-standing, magnificence and sturdiness, but also due to its being a commemorate place in the Chinese people' war against Japanese aggression. It was right here on July 7th, 1937, the Japanese imperialists launched the war of aggression and were dealt with a head-on blow by Chinese patriotic army-men and people. The incident was the prelude to the Resistance War against Japanese Aggression. Up to now, the city walls of the nearby Wanpin County, riddled with bullets fired by the Japanese aggressors, still stand there, as a witness to the history.