The Beijing Guide - Helping travelers discover Beijing and the 2008 Olympics

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao

The Marco Polo Bridge

The eleven arched marble Marco Polo Bridge is 16 km southwest of Beijing - about a one hour drive. It will take at most an hour to visit so it is usually combined with other destinations including the nearby Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War Museum.

Originally built in 1192, the bridge was washed away in a 17th century flood and was rebuilt by Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722).

Explorer Marco Polo of Venice, Italy describes the bridge in his writing and it is assumed he visited it. Marco Polo lived from 1254-1324 and and spent 16 years in China (1278-1292). He worked for Kublai Khan several years and later served as Governor of Yangzhou. After his time in China he returned to Venice where he fought against the Genoese and was captured. While in prison he wrote "The Travels of Marco Polo" which told of his adventures. The book fired the imagination of all Medieval Europe.

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The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao
485 stone lions adorn the 235 metre (770 foot) bridge.

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao
No two lions are exactly the same.

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao

China's entry into World War II began with shots on the Marco Polo bridge on July 7, 1937 when the Japanese attacked Chinese troops, resulting in the occupation of Beijing. This is known as the "Marco Polo Bridge Incident" .

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao

The bridge's name in Chinese is "Lugouqiao". It translates as "The Moon over the Lugou Bridge at Dawn".

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao

At both ends of the bridge stand imperial steles - large stone slabs with historic calligraphic writing. One stele marks the rebuilding of the bridge and the other is an inscription by Qing emperor Qianlong.

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao
Elephants and lions guard the ends of the bridge.

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao


The Marco Polo Bridge is located 9 miles (14 km) southwest of the city centre. Map thanks to Odyssey Publications.

The Marco Polo Bridge Location Map

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing China Luguoqiao