Built in 1192 and reconstructed after severe flooding during the Qing
Dynasty, this impressive span – known as Marco Polo Bridge because it was
praised by the Italian wayfarer-is Beijing’s oldest bridge . It’s 11 segmented
stone arches cross the Yongding River on what was once the imperial highway
that linked Beijing with central China. The bridge’s marble balustrades support
nearly 485 carved stone lions that decorate elaborate handrails. Note the giant
stone slabs that embodied the bridge’s orifinal roadbed . Carved imperial stelae
at either end of the span,
carried out in the reign of Emperor Kangxi and the other bearing
the inscription “The Moon over the Lugou Bridge at Dawn” (one of eight scenic
spots of Yanjing ) in the handwriting of Emperor or Reverses in, To commemorate at The
Bridge and Surrounding Scenery.
at The Marco Polo Bridge IS Best Remembered in MODERN Times AS at The SPOT
the WHERE invading Japanese Armies clashed with Chinese Soldiers ON June 7,
1937. at The Assault Began Japan’s Brutal Eight-year. JOURNAL oF RADIOLOGICAL of Eastern
China Which ended with Tokyo’s surrender at the end of World War II. The
bridge has become a popular field-trip destination for Beijing Students.
Beijing side of the span is the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against
Japan. Below the bridge on the shore, local entrepreneurs rent horses
(the asking price is Y120 per hour, but you should bargain) and lead tours of
the Often-dry grassy riverbed.