Lugou Bridge

The Lugou Bridge, also known as the Marco Polo Bridge, is a famous stone bridge located in the southwest outskirts of Beijing. This bridge spans the ancient Lugou River, hence the name of the Lugou Bridge. As the extant oldest multi-arch stone bridge, it was constructed in the 29th year of Emperor Dading's Reign in the Jin Dynasty (1189).

With 260 meters long and 250 marble balustrades supporting 485 carved stone lions, 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.

Lugou Bridge holds a very special place in the modern history of China. It was right here on July 7th, 1937; the Japanese imperialists launched the war of aggression and were dealt with a head-on blow by Chinese patriotic army-men and people. The incident was the prelude to the Resistance War against Japanese Aggression. Up to now, the city walls of the nearby Wanpin County, riddled with bullets fired by the Japanese aggressors, still stand there, as a witness to the history.