In China, where the sculptures were brought from, the Chi Tza lions are usually placed on both sides of entry gates of a palace, a temple or other significant place and consist of a pair: a lion and a lioness, both of them guarding the entrance to the premises. The lion’s front right paw rests on a ball, which, according to a legend, can make wishes come true; whilst lioness’s paw is placed on the head of a lion cub.

The guardian lions, situated at the top of the descending stairs leading to the Neva river are made of Manchurian granite and have impressive measurements: each figure is 4,5 meters tall, and they weigh 2,5 tons each. Both sculptures are placed on pedestals with the following inscription: “Chi Tza from Jilin city in Manchuria brought to Saint-Petersburg in 1907. An offering from General of Infantry N.I. Grodekov”.

Having received the Chi Tza lions as a gift from Jilin governor, the Priamur deputy governor general N.I. Grodekov (later general governor himself), decided to donate granite sculptures to the city of Saint-Petersburg.