Marco Polo Bridge

Marco Polo Bridge, known as Lugou Qiao, is one of earliest segmented stone arch bridge about 16 km in the outside of Beijing. The bridge is 260 meters long and has 250 marble balustrades supporting 485 carved stone lions. First built in 1192, the original arches were washed away in the 17th century. The bridge is a composite of different eras, widened in 1969 to span the Yongding River near the town of Wanping. The bridge is famous because it is mentioned in the annals written by Marco Polo, a European explorer who visited the Mongol Yuan dynasty court in the 13th century. Though not exactly an engineering marvel, the bridge is 260 meters long with nearly 500 carved stone lions. It spans the Yongding river which was dry at the time these photos were taken in summer, 1998.

The Luguo Bridge has been standing over the Yongding River for 800 years. The entire bridge is made of huge granite blocks, with carved stone lions crouched along the railings on both sides. No two lions are alike, and smaller carved lions can be found strategically placed on and beside them. In ancient times the bridge was renowned for its spectacular views of the moon during the Mid-autumn Festival. In 1751, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) personally edited the poetic titles for the 8 views, and wrote the inscriptions for the steles, including the "Lugou Xiaoyue" tablet which still stands by the bridge. On July 7th, 1937, the bridge featured again in China's history when the Japanese Kwantung Army began its war to conquer China. It is known for the "Marco Polo Bridge Incident". During the next 8 years, Japan occupied most of China and killed millions of Chinese.