Where do pekingese come from?

Where do pekingese come from?  The story behind the lineage of a pekingese is cute!  Supposedly a lion was looking at its reflection in a pond one day when it saw a monkey in a tree.  It was love at first sight, but unfortunately the lion was too big to marry a monkey.  Luckily, someone was looking out for the lion and when he woke up from his nap he was miniaturized!  Now he and the monkey were able to get married.  Their children were pekingese.  It is easy to see each animal's characteristics!   They have flat faces that tend to look a little monkey-like, but they also have long, regal manes and have a lionesque stance full of pride...