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Beijing Lugou Bridge ( Macro Polo Bridge) Maps

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Located in the southwest outskirts of Beijing on Yongding River, Lugou Bridge was first built in Jin Dynasty in 1189 but later was destroyed by a flood. The current structure dates back to 1698 when Kanxi Emperor of Qing Dynasty ordered to restore it. Made of strong granites and with finely carved balustrade of white marbles on each side, the Bridge totals 266.5 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width. Every baluster is carved with a lion in different shape and expression. Local legend said that these fierce-looking lions come alive during the night.

Lugou Bridge aquired its English name as Macro Bridge after Marco Polo described it in his famous account of his travels. On the eastern and western ends are two steles, one of which records the reconstruction of the bridge by Emperor Kangxi and the other is the calligraphy by Emperor Qianlong, reading "Lugouxiaoyue(meaning Moon at Daybreak Over Lugou Bridge)". Lugou Bridge is the spot that the Japanese Imperial Army and Nationalist Chinese soldiers exchanged fire on July 7, 1937, which led to the Japanese occupation of Beijing and a full-scall war. Because of its aesthetic features and historic value, Lugou Bridge is considered to be an architectural masterpiece.