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Located in the south of Zhaoxian County, Hebei Province, Anji Bridge spans the Jiao River. Zhaoxian County was called Zhaozhou in the past, so the bridge is also named Zhaozhou Bridge. Local people call it Big Stone Bridge.

Designed by the famous artisan Li Chun, the bridge’s construction started in the reign of Kaihuang (590) and was completed in the reign of Daye (608) of the Sui Dynasty (581-618). The 50.82-meter-long and 9.6-meter-wide bridge is a single segmental stone arch, composed of 28 individual arches laid transversely, 37.37 meters in span. Each of its spandrels is perforated by two small arches, with net span of 3.81m and 2.85m respectively at the two ends and in the center, so that floodwater can be divided, and the weight of the bridge is lightened as well. This design not only saves stone materials, but also presents a unique and exquisite structure, which is a pioneering design in the world bridge history and has significant influence on the architecture of the later dynasties. In foreign countries, this bridge of the architectural structure was not popular in Europe until the 19^th century.

The segmental deck and the parapets are engraved with dragons, animal faces, flowers and bamboos, etc., demonstrating high-level carving techniques, bold and with ease and grace. Besides, both sides of the bridge are ornamented with dragonhead and eight-petal lotus flowers. All of these add charm and elegance to the bridge. Generations of scholars and poets mentioned this bridge in their works. Du Deyuan, a poet in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) once wrote a poem, describing the beauty and convenience the bridge brought to the locals. The popular folk song Xiao Fang Niu (the Little Cowboy) lends more mystery to the bridge.

Anji Bridge is a great accomplishment in the world bridge history. It is universally recognized for its epoch-making structure, and has enjoyed high prestige in the bridge history both in China and overseas.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

M: Péngyǒumen, nǐmen hǎo! Huānyíng nǐmen dào Xiànzài Xué Hànyǔ. Wǒ shì ML.S: Dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Stuart. Today it’s a 复习课, revision lesson.

M: Lots to 练习 practice, liànxí. We’re at the south side of Tiananmen Square 我们在天安门的南边， wǒmen zài Tiānānmén de nánbiān. Mister, we want to go to the Friendship Store. Could you please tell us how to get there? 先生，请问，友谊商店怎么走？xiānshēng, qǐng wèn, Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn zěnme zǒu?

MAN: wǎng běi zǒu. When you get to Chang’an Avenue, head east到了长安街,往东走，dòo le Chang’an Jie, wǎng dōng zǒu.

S: 往北走 wǎng běi zǒu.到了长安街,往东走，dòo le Chang’an Jie, wǎng dōng zǒu. Duì ma?

MAN. Duì le. 

M. xiěxie nín.

MAN: bú kèqi.

S: We’ve finished at the Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn. 现在我们要去外文书店 the Foreign Languages Bookstore. Wo3men yao4 qu4 Wàiwén Shūdiàn.

M. 外文书店在哪儿Wàiwén Shūdiàn zài nǎr？

S. 外文书店在王府井Wàiwén Shūdiàn zài Wángfǔjǐng.

M. 现在我们在友谊商店 xiànzài wǒmen zài Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn.

S. 我们怎么走 wǒmen zěnme zǒu?

M. 我看看地图 wǒ kàn kàn dìtú.

S. Hǎo zhúyi.

M. Leave the Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn离开友谊商店, turn right右拐, head west往西走. líkāi Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn,yòu guǎi, wǎng xī zǒu.

S. Walk about three kilometers. 走三公里左右zǒu sān gōnglǐ zuǒyòu.

M. 到了王府井往右拐 dào le Wángfǔjǐng wǎng yòu guǎi.

S. Go straight ahead 一直走 yi4 zhi2 zou3. Head north for about one kilometer. 往北走一公里左右 wǎng běi zǒu yì gōng lǐ zuó yòu.

M. And the Foreign Languages Bookstore is on the left . 外文书店就在左边 Wàiwén Shū diàn jiù zài zuǒbiān.

S. Not too far 不太远 bú tài yuǎn.

M. To end, let’s hear and repeat the last dialogue again. Zhǔnbèi, kāi shǐ.

S. 现在我们要去外文书店 Wǒmen yào qù Wài wén Shū diàn.

M. 外文书店在哪儿Wài wén Shū diàn zài nǎr？

S. 外文书店在王府井Wài wén Shūdiàn zài Wángfǔjǐng.

M. 现在我们在友谊商店 xiànzài wǒmen zài Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn.

S. 我们怎么走 wǒmen zěnme zǒu?

M. 我看看地图 wǒ kàn kàn dìtú.

S. Hǎo zhúyi.

M. 离开友谊商店, 右拐, 往西走. líkāi Yǒuyí Shāngdiàn,yòu guǎi, wǎng xī zǒu.

S. 走三公里左右zǒu sān gōnglǐ zuǒyòu.

M. 到了王府井往右拐 dào le Wángfǔjǐng wǎng yòu guǎi.

S. 一直走 yì zhí zǒu. 往北走一公里左右 wǎng běi zǒu yì gōnglǐ zuǒyòu.

M. 外文书店就在左边 Wàiwén Shūdiàn jiù zài zuǒbiān.

S. 不太远 bú tài yuǎn.

M. So we can xià kè. Zài jiàn

(Source:english.cri.cn)