Beneath our feet lies a silent witness to centuries of change the Marco Polo Bridge also known as Lugou Bridge. It is a stone bridge that is located 15 km southwest of Beijing’s city center in the Fengtai District.
Let’s take a journey back in time. Imagine yourself in the 13th century. Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler, marvels at this very bridge. He called it “very fine” with “very few equals in the world”. His words traveled back to Europe. This bridge became forever known as the Marco Polo Bridge.
Construction of the original Marco Polo Bridge began in 1189. It finished in 1192. But the story doesn’t end there. After flood damage, it was reconstructed in 1698 under the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty.
The Marco Polo Bridge stretches 266.5 meters long and 9.3 meters wide. It stands on 10 piers featuring 11 segmental arches. Look closely at the hundreds of stone lions lining both sides. Each one is unique. They are from different eras. Some date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. A few are even from the Yuan dynasty. The rarest ones are from the Jin dynasty.
Here is a challenge. How many lions do you think there are? Investigations have yielded inconsistent results. They range from 482 to 501. Records say there were originally 627 lions. Each lion has a different posture and age. Look closely. You might spot smaller lions hiding on the bigger ones. They are on their heads, backs, under their bellies, or on their paws.
Notice the four ornamental columns at each end of the Marco Polo Bridge. They are each 4.65 meters high. Also observe the white marble stele. One stele records the reconstruction by the Kangxi Emperor in 1698. The other stele features calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong, Kangxi’s grandson. It reads “Morning moon over Lugou”. For 800 years, this bridge has been a scenic spot in Beijing.
Beyond its beauty, the Marco Polo Bridge is an architectural marvel. It is built of granite. A large central arch is flanked by ten smaller ones. Triangular iron pillars protect each pier. They prevent damage from floods and ice.
But there’s more to the Marco Polo Bridge than its beauty and architecture. This bridge was the site of a pivotal event. It is known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. It marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
In 1986, the asphalt surface was removed during a restoration. Today, the Marco Polo Bridge stands as a monument to history. It links us to the past. It reminds us of both artistic achievement and moments of conflict. As you stand here, reflect on the stories this bridge could tell.