Two stone lions stand majestically

　　Introduction     Take a speedboat from Shapotou across the Yellow River to reach the “Q”-shaped island on the opposite bank. Cross Dawan Village and head south along the winding path until you climb up a small hill with a pavilion. Gazing westward, about 500 meters away, you will see a cluster of reddish-brown hills that stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding sand dunes and grayish-brown mountain masses.

　　    On the riverside side of the southern edge of these reddish-brown hills, there are two prominent peaks. Gazing into the distance, you’ll suddenly spot a pair of male and female lions: the protruding rock at the front distinctly forms the large, round nose of the male lion; above it are the sharply defined eye sockets and a pair of just-awakening, slightly open eyes; further up to the top of the hill, it resembles a flat forehead and flowing, curly mane. Looking along the hilltop, the ridge line extends diagonally downward to the right, then bends back at the base of another hill, naturally and smoothly outlining the shape of the back, hind legs, and front paws. In the middle of the hill, there is a triangular fold that perfectly highlights the lion’s head, neck, ears, and whiskers, adding a sense of three-dimensionality to the lion shape.

　　    Strikingly, a hill located to the right of the “male lion” closely resembles a female lion standing faithfully beside him, like a devoted couple. The image of the lions standing together in silence, gazing majestically over the great river while perched firmly on the land, is so vivid and lifelike that it achieves a perfect harmony of form and spirit—making one marvel time and again at nature’s extraordinary craftsmanship.

　　 Zhongwei, Ningxia