Impressive Marco Polo Bridge for Beijing Travel

[tourofchina]

Built in 1192 and reconstructed after severe flooding during the Qing Dynasty, this impressive span – known as Marco Polo Bridge China tourism because it was praised by the Italian wayfarer—is Beijing’s oldest bridge. Its 11 segmented stone arches cross the Yongding River on what was once the imperial highway that Bridgeed Beijing with central China. The bridge’s marble balustrades support nearly 485 carved stone lions that decorate elaborate handrails. Note the giant stone slabs that comprise the bridge’s orifinal roadbed. Carved imperial stelae at either end of the span, one recording the history of the renovation work carried out in the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722), and the other bearing the inscription "The Moon over the Lugou Bridge at Dawn" (one of eight scenic spots of Yanjing) in the handwriting of Emperor Qianlong, commemorate the bridge and surrounding scenery.

The Lugou Bridge Beijing tour is situated at a strategic point on the one overland route to the capital from the south. Bridge construction was begun in 1189 and completed four years later. The bridge is 235 meters long of white marble. It has 11 arches and as many broad piers. At the extremes of the bridge there are two stone stelae, one recording the history of the renovation work carried out in the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722), and the other bearing the inscription "The Moon over the Lugou Bridge at Dawn" in the handwriting of Emperor Qianlong.

Lining the bridge are two rows of carved white marble balustrades topped by posts carved with figures of lions. The people of Beijing have a saying to the effect that "the lions of the Lugou Bridge are too numerous to count," which is explained by the fact that the lions are carved in a great variety of aspects and distributed unequally among the 280 white marble posts. A pair of vividly carved reclining stone elephants and a number of other animal figures guards each end of the bridge. On July 7, 1937, the first shot of the War of Resistance Against Japan rang out beside the Lugou Bridge China travel packages. But now all signs of the war have long since disappeared. As the sun sets, the furnaces of nearby Shijingshna Steel Works cast a red glow across the sky, lighting up the bridge in fiery splendor.