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Last Update : 2/7/2007 10:12:06 PM

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is the only connection to the Nanhu Island. It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). No matter how you look at the great bridge, it is beautiful, like a rainbow or an ornamental ribbon. The Summer Palace does, indeed, offer many scenic spots. The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is an imitation of the celebrated Marco Polo Bridge (Lugou Bridge) in Fengtai District, Beijing.

Last Update : 2007-2-5 9:36:38

As the name suggests, it has seventeen symmetrical arches, with the largest one in the center and the others diminishing in size on either side. The arch and its reflection in water are an awesome sight. The bridge is 150 meters (164 yards) long and 7 meters (23 feet) high, which gets corresponds with the grandeur of the imperial garden. The bridge is decorated with 544 delicately carved lions. This vivid lions, sitting on the white marble balusters, have different expressions and postures.

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