Following the Communist takeover of China in 1949, the bridge was decked in asphalt and carried motor vehicular traffic.

[note 1] Hundreds of artistically unique stone lions from different eras line both sides of the bridge.

Investigations to determine the total number of animals have been carried out on several occasions but the results have proved inconsistent, ranging anywhere from 482 to 501.

Four ornamental columns each 4.65 m (15 ft) high and a white marble stele stand at the ends of the bridge.

One stele, installed on top of a stone tortoise, records the reconstruction of the bridge by the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1698.

Each of the ten piers is protected by triangular iron pillars that have been installed to prevent damage by flood and ice.