Among the over 30 bridges across the kunming Lake, the 17Arch Bridge is the very largest on linking the eastern bank and Nanhu Island. The white marble bridge is eight meters wide and 150 meters long ,composed of 17 arches. Seen afar, it appears like a rainbow spanning the rippling Kunming Lake.And 544 lions of different countenances were carved on the railings, emulating the Lugou Bridge at the southwestern outskirts of Beijing. As a matter of fact, its carving technique has surpassed that of the Lugou Bridge.

Through the 17-Arch Bridge, we now stand on the Nanhu Islet, symbolizing the Penglai Island, one of the three legendary is lands. Covering an area of 10,000 sq meters, the Nanhu Islet has been counted as the largest one on Kunming Lake. Huge stones paved the bank, enclosed by stone railings. Its northern part is home to various artificial hills, on which stands Hanxu Hall, the major architecture on the islet. Originally named Wangchan Pavilion, the Hanxu Hall is a three-story building imitating the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuchang City. Also, there are the Temple of Dragon King, Jianyuan Hll. Yuebo Tower and Yunxiang Pavilion that were rebuilt in the Emperor Guangxu's reign after the destruction by the war of 1860. The lancui Platform in the northern part was the very viewed the parade of the navy force in 1889.

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