Listen closely now. A stone marvel awaits us. The Marco Polo Bridge stands as a testament to time.
This bridge isn’t just any bridge. It’s a historical landmark. Marco Polo himself praised it. He found few equals to its splendor in the world. Thus the name Marco Polo Bridge.
Originally built in 1189, its construction finished in 1192. Emperor Shizong of Jin started it. His successor completed it. Floods damaged it later. The Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty reconstructed it in 1698.
Notice its structure. The Marco Polo Bridge stretches 266.5 meters long. It’s 9.3 meters wide. Ten piers support 11 arches. Granite forms its sturdy frame.
But the lions steal the show. Hundreds of them line the bridge. Each one is unique. They date from different eras. The Ming and Qing dynasties contribute most. Some are older from the Yuan dynasty. A few rare ones even come from the Jin dynasty. Originally there were 627 lions.
Look closely at the lions. Many have smaller lions hiding. They’re on their heads, backs, under their bellies, or on their paws. People say the Marco Polo Bridge lions are too numerous to count.
Consider the bridge’s history beyond beauty. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred here. On July 7, 1937, this incident marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Japan used a missing soldier as an excuse to attack. Chinese soldiers bravely defended the bridge. This event is known as the Seven Seven Incident in China.
After 1949, the bridge changed. Asphalt covered it. Vehicles drove across it. To ease traffic, they built new bridges. One was completed in 1971. Another in 1985 carries the Jingshi Expressway. The old bridge closed to motor vehicles. In 1986, they removed the asphalt during restoration.
See the steles at each end. They stand on stone tortoises. The Kangxi Emperor’s stele records the 1698 reconstruction. The Qianlong Emperor’s stele bears calligraphy. It reads “Morning moon over Lugou”. For 800 years, this bridge has been a scenic spot.
Note the iron pillars protecting the piers. They prevent damage from floods and ice. Mao Yisheng, a Chinese engineer, praised it. He called the Marco Polo Bridge the most splendid.
Remember Marco Polo’s words. Recall the war’s start. Admire the stone lions. The Marco Polo Bridge embodies history, art, and resilience. It remains a symbol of Beijing.