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This Famous Bridge is in
the southwest suburbs, about  15
kilometers away from the city. Originally Lugou Bridge was
built in 1193, during the Jin Dynasty, and was reconstructed
several times in the following dynasties. It has its name
because Marco Polo described it in his Travels.
The marble bridge has eleven arches, and measures 266.5 meters
long and 7.5 meters wide. Altogether 485 Finely Carved Lions,
in distinctive style, are on each baluster. They are most
impressive. The bridge was described by poets as a place where
people would send off their beloved ones, or friends. The
best time to visit it is at dawn, when a Morning Moon is hanging
over the sky. A Stone Tablet with an inscription by the Qing
Emperor, Qianlong, says "Morning Moon Over Lougou Bridge"
stands at one end of the Bridge.
Another historical incident that made the bridge famous is
the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.This is when Japanese troops
illegally occupied a railway junction outside Wanping. Then
came the War of Resistance against Japan. Now a Memorial Hall
is established there.
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