Consider the Marco Polo Bridge. Have you ever seen a bridge guarded by hundreds of lions? This isn’t just any bridge. This is the Marco Polo Bridge. It is also known as Lugou Bridge. We are standing 15 km southwest of Beijing’s city center.
The Marco Polo Bridge spans the Yongding River. This river is a major Hai River tributary. Wanping Fortress stands guard at the bridge’s eastern end. Inside is the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Marco Polo himself raved about this bridge in the 13th century. That’s how it got its European name. But the Marco Polo Bridge is more than just a pretty crossing. It marks a crucial moment in history.
Let’s step back in time. The original bridge construction began in 1189. It finished in 1192. But flooding caused damage. So the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty rebuilt it in 1698.
Mao Yisheng a Chinese structural engineer also praised it. He said it was the most splendid bridge.
However the Marco Polo Bridge Incident took place here. This event marked the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. This conflict lasted until 1945. The Marco Polo Bridge became a place of remembrance.
After 1949 China changed. The bridge got an asphalt deck. Cars drove across it. To ease traffic a new bridge opened in 1971. It was south of here. Another bridge followed in 1985. This one carries the Jingshi Expressway. The old Marco Polo Bridge closed to vehicles. In 1986 its asphalt was removed during restoration.
Now look at the structure. 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. Each one is unique. Some date back to the Jin dynasty. That is from 1115 to 1234. Most are from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Here’s a riddle for you. How many lions are there? Estimates range from 482 to 501. Records suggest 627 originally existed. They are hiding on the head and under the belly of each of the big lions.
Notice the four ornamental columns. They stand 4.65 meters tall. A white marble stele stands at each end. One stele records the 1698 reconstruction. The Kangxi Emperor installed it. The other stele bears calligraphy. The Qianlong Emperor wrote it. It says Morning moon over Lugou.
For 800 years the Marco Polo Bridge has been scenic. It is also an architectural masterpiece. It is built of granite. Iron pillars protect its piers from floods.
As you leave remember Marco Polo’s words. He called this a very fine stone bridge. He thought it had few equals in the world. The Marco Polo Bridge is a testament to history art and resilience.