The Lugou Bridge across the Youngding River is located at Wanping County, 30 li away from Guanganmen, Beijing. The project began in the 28th year of the reign of Dading (A.D. 1188)and was completed in the 3rd year of the reign of Mingchang (A. D. 1192) of the Jin Dynasty.

212.2m long, 9.3m wide, Lugou Bridge has 11 semicircular arches, ranging from 11.4m to 13.45 m in span. The piers are from 6.5m to 7.9m wide; their pointed cutwaters upstream are inlaid with triangular iron bars, while the downstream sides are square in shape butwithout two angles. The parapets are divided into 269 sections with columns in-between, each column crowned with a carved lion. When the bridge was first erected in the Jin Dynasty, all the lions were alike and very simple, but through the ages they were replaced each time by better ones, more delicately carved and different in style.

Now, each lion has its individual posture. And more fascinating are the lion cubs. They are playing around their parents, clinging to the breast, squatting on the shoulder, nestling at the feet, or licking the face. These exquisite sculptures on the bridge and on the ornamental columns, which show the practical application of the aesthetic principle of unity and variation, have become a scene of attraction. The bridge has long since been included in the historical relics under state protection.

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