Beijing - Marco Polo Bridge Lugou Qiao
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The Marco Polo Bridge which lies 8km/5mi to the southwest of Beijing was erected between 1189 and 1192 by the Emperor Shizong.
Marco Polo crossed this bridge in 1276 and referred to it as Pulisangin in his work ''Millions''; Sangin could be a rough transliteration of the name Sanggan, the upper reaches of the river Yongding, over which this bridge runs. Puli is possibly taken from the Persian word ''pul'' (bridge).
In 1444 and 1698 the bridge was repaired after it had been partly destroyed by floods.
On the July 7th 1937 the Japanese artillery attacked the Chinese troops stationed here and in so doing started the Sino-Japanese War which lasted for eight years.
The 235m/771ft long and 8m/26ft wide bridge is supported by eleven arches, and has 280 side columns decorated with lion sculptures in the balustrades, which have brought fame to the bridge.
At the eastern end of the bridge is a massive stele with an inscription by Emperor Kangxi: ''Morning moonlight over the Lugou bridge'', (Lugou being the old name for the Yongding river).
Marco Polo crossed this bridge in 1276 and referred to it as Pulisangin in his work ''Millions''; Sangin could be a rough transliteration of the name Sanggan, the upper reaches of the river Yongding, over which this bridge runs. Puli is possibly taken from the Persian word ''pul'' (bridge).
In 1444 and 1698 the bridge was repaired after it had been partly destroyed by floods.
On the July 7th 1937 the Japanese artillery attacked the Chinese troops stationed here and in so doing started the Sino-Japanese War which lasted for eight years.
The 235m/771ft long and 8m/26ft wide bridge is supported by eleven arches, and has 280 side columns decorated with lion sculptures in the balustrades, which have brought fame to the bridge.
At the eastern end of the bridge is a massive stele with an inscription by Emperor Kangxi: ''Morning moonlight over the Lugou bridge'', (Lugou being the old name for the Yongding river).
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