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Lugou Bridge is also known as Marco Polo Bridge. The Bridge is situated in the southwest suburbs of Beijing. The construction of the Bridge started in 1193, during the Jin Dynasty. But, the Bridge was reconstructed several times by the dynasties that followed to rule. The popularity of the bridge is mainly because of its stunning beauty and amazing architecture. Lugou Bridge is a marble bridge containing eleven arches and is one of earliest segmented stone arch bridge located about 16 km outside Beijing. There are finely carved lions that are distinctively placed on each baluster of the Bridge. The most interesting part about these beasts is that there are more small lions hiding on the head, back, under the belly or on paws of each of the big lions. Record has it that there were originally a total of 627 lions in the bridge. Lugou Bridge is about 260 meters long and was once listed in the 'Eight Scenic Spots of Beijing' in the Jin Dynasty. The Lugou Bridge has been proudly standing over the Yongding River for over 800 years now. The bridge is primarily made up of huge granite blocks with stone curved lions placed on both sides of the bridge. There was an incident in history, which is attached to this bridge. The bridge featured in China's history on 7th July 1937, when Japanese Kwantung army began its war to conquer China. The war continued for the next 8 years when Japan occupied most of China and killed millions of Chinese. Thereby, 7th July 1937 is considered as the date when the War of Resistance against Japan began on this Marco Polo Bridge, which ended with the end of WWII. Keep surfing AsiaRooms for more details on Attractions in Beijing.
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