Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao), Beijing

The Marco Polo (Luguo) Bridge has been standing over the Yongding River for 800 years. The entire bridge is made of huge granite blocks, with carved stone lions crouched along the railings on both sides. No two lions are alike, and smaller carved lions can be found strategically placed on and beside them. In ancient times the bridge was renowned for spectacular views of the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. On July 7, 1937, the bridge featured again in China's history when it served as a key point of assault on Beijing by the Japanese forces.