"My Trip to the Marco Polo Bridge" Lugouqiao by Confucius

Lugouqiao Travel Guide: 0 reviews and 3 photos

I wear my sunglasses at night (Marco Polo Bridge)

Lugouqiao is the Chinese name of Marco Polo Bridge

It's great to see that VT actually has a historic bridge in its database. Most tourists don't visit Marco Polo Bridge unless they are World War 2 veterans.
It just doesn't fit into 3 or 4 day Beijing itineraries.
However if you live in Beijing for an extended amount of time then a day trip to Lugouqiao is a good historical lesson. This is where the Japanese military approached Beijing during the beginning of China's war with Japan in July 1937. It is located about 15 kilometers southwest of Beijing.
Today you can also visit the "War of Resistance Against Japan Museum" located on the east end of the bridge. The small museum was built in 1986, which is when this photo was taken, and opened in 1987.

The Marco Polo Bridge at sunset

The Marco Polo Bridge at sunset south of Beijing

So why is Lugouqiao translated as "Marco Polo Bridge" ??
The ancient bridge was built in 1189 (Jin Dynasty) and described by Marco Polo in his travels through China during the Yuan dynasty, so at some point later in history people decided to name it after its most famous tourist.
The marble bridge is decorated with rows of stone lions, and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty left some calligraphy as well.