“Lugou xiǎoyuè” whispers the wind. It translates to Morning Moon over Lugou. This is more than just a name. It is a feeling. It is the essence of the Marco Polo Bridge.
The Marco Polo Bridge stands before us. It is also known as Lugou Bridge. This stone bridge resides 15 km southwest of Beijing’s heart. The Fengtai District embraces it. It spans the Yongding River. This river is a Hai River tributary.
Imagine Marco Polo himself crossing this bridge. It was during his 13th-century visit to China. His praise echoed across Europe. This praise gave the bridge its famous name.
But the Marco Polo Bridge is not only a pretty sight. It also holds a crucial place in history. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident took place here. It marked the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War. This was between 1937 and 1945.
The bridge’s story began long before Marco Polo. Construction started in 1189. It finished in 1192 during the Jin dynasty. Later in 1698 the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty ordered a reconstruction. Flooding had damaged the bridge.
Chinese engineer Mao Yisheng admired the bridge. He said that the Lugou Bridge was the most splendid. He also praised the Zhaozhou Bridge as the most ancient. The Five-Pavilion Bridge was considered most artistic.
Look closely. The Marco Polo Bridge stretches 266.5 meters long. It is 9.3 meters wide. Ten piers support eleven arches. Hundreds of stone lions line both sides. These lions are unique.
The number of lions is a mystery. Investigations have yielded different results. Counts range from 482 to 501. Records suggest that there were originally 627 lions. Most lions come from the Ming and Qing dynasties. A few rare ones date back to the Jin dynasty.
Notice the four ornamental columns. They stand 4.65 meters high. White marble steles mark the bridge’s ends. One stele tells of the Kangxi Emperor’s reconstruction. The other displays calligraphy by the Qianlong Emperor. He was Kangxi’s grandson. This calligraphy is “Morning moon over Lugou”.
For 800 years, the bridge has been a scenic spot. It is also an architectural wonder. Granite makes up its solid structure. A large central arch is flanked by ten smaller ones. Triangular iron pillars protect each pier. These pillars prevent damage from floods and ice.
In 1949, China changed. The bridge was covered in asphalt. It carried vehicular traffic. In 1971, the New Marco Polo Bridge was built. It relieved traffic. This new bridge is one kilometer to the south. In 1985, another bridge was built. It carries the Jingshi Expressway. Traffic shifted to these new bridges. The old Marco Polo Bridge closed to motor vehicles. In 1986, the asphalt was removed during restoration.
Today the Marco Polo Bridge stands as a symbol. It represents history. It embodies art. It reminds us of both praise and conflict. Take a moment. Feel the history beneath your feet. Imagine the travelers who came before. Consider the battles fought. The Marco Polo Bridge remains. It connects us to the past.