MARCO POLO BRIDGE

Debates continues as to whether Marco Polo ever actually saw the bridge that bears his name in western references. The Chinese name is Lugouqiao. The bridge is located in Wanping, Fengtai District, southwest of the city.

Originally built in 1192 during the Jin Dynasty, Marco Polo is supposed to have visited in 1290 praising it. When the Yongding River flooded in the late 17th century it was badly damaged, but was rebuilt soon after. In the 18th Emperor Qianlong added a stele with a calligraphic inscription. One hundred forty stone carved lions, none alike, adorn this impressive structure.

In July, 1937 Chinese and Japanese clashed on the bridge and triggered Japan's invasion into China and the start of World War II in Asia. At the end of the bridge there is a very small museum which explains both the history of the town and the bridge.

It has been many years since the river ran under the bridge and anything but bicycles and pedestrians crossed it.