A walk over Marco Polo Bridge takes you back in time, in the footsteps of its namesake, the famous Venetian explorer. This huge granite bridge over the Yongding River is also known as the Lugou Bridge. It was first constructed in the late 12th century, even though the present bridge is only about three centuries old.
It’s easy to see why this structure caught the attention of Marco Polo, who praised it in his 13th-century travelogues. The original 1192 structure was washed away, but a reconstruction in 1698 saw its revival.
Present-day visitors come here to admire the beauty of the bridge and learn about its architectural and historical relevance. The bridge is 874 feet (266 meters) in length and has 11 arches, 10 piers and 281 pillars. This is the spot where Japanese and Chinese troops first exchanged fire in 1937, starting the second Sino-Japanese war.
Inspect the hundreds of elaborate stone lion carvings on the bridge. Each lion is different and some can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty of 1115-1234. Legend has it that the fierce creatures come alive at night.
Large stone monuments adorn each end of the bridge. One records the history of renovation of the bridge and the other features an inscription from Emperor Qianlong. Freely translated it reads: “The Moon over the Lugou at Dawn.” Carved stone elephants keeping guard at the both ends of the bridge.
After leaving the bridge, check out the nearby Wanping City Wall and free Sculpture Garden while you are in the area.
Marco Polo Bridge is situated in the Fengtai District and is nearly 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of Tiananmen Square in central Beijing. Take a bus to Kang Zhan Diao Su Yuan Station and walk from there or take a taxi to the bridge.
There is a small admission fee for the bridge and the opening hours are seasonal, with longer hours in summer.
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King Parkview Hotel
Downtown Beijing
per person
Jun 28 - Jul 2
Roundtrip flight included
Tokyo (TYO) to Beijing (PEK)
7/10 Good! (356 reviews)
Wifi didn't work for one week. All the other comments are true about the beds being too hard (impossible hard). Just one bottle of water per day, when all the other hotels I've been to in China give you 2. True about the bathroom flooding when having a shower (the curtain is too short, the base in the shower floor as well).
The maids were lovely 😍 The guy at reception helped me with Chinese. Location is good, near the metro and some touristic points. Good refrigerator and washing machine.
Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024
East Sacred Hotel-near Beijing Tiananmen Square,the Forbidden City,Wangfujing Street-Newly renovated hotel
Downtown Beijing
per person
Jun 28 - Jul 2
Roundtrip flight included
Tokyo (TYO) to Beijing (PEK)
8.4/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
To get to the hotel you can take Beijing subway line 1 or line 8 to Wangfujing station then exit E3 to Wangfujing street. After arriving on the street, around 30 steps you can find McDonald restaurant on the corner of the street. Turn left walk 50m then turn left for the first small alley, continue to walk around 50m you can find the hotel.
The hotel is very close to busy street Wangfujing with lots of shops and restaurants. The hotel is also near Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
To go to Forbidden City, take subway line 1 stop at Tiananmen East Gate (1 stop from Wanfujing station). To go to Tiananmen Square take subway line 1 stop at Tiananmen West Gate (2 stops from Wangfujing station).
The receptionists are helpful. The bedroom is not big but clean and modern. The toilet seat is warm.
You can try Beijing duck at Quanjude restaurant at Wangfujing street, 10 minute walk from the hotel.
Reviewed on Apr 9, 2024
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