- Type
- Fortress
- Built
- 1638 · 17th century
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 39.8500°, 116.2200°
History
The fortress by the Lugou Bridge over the Yongding River, guarding the south-western approach to Beijing, was built in 1638–1640 under the Chongzhen Emperor, when the Ming capital was threatened by peasant revolts and Manchu raids. Originally named Gongji Cheng, it was a military stronghold rather than an ordinary town. In 1928 the seat of Wanping County moved here, giving the fortress its present name. On the night of 7–8 July 1937 Japanese troops, claiming to be searching for a missing soldier, demanded entry, and the exchange of fire with the Chinese garrison – the Marco Polo Bridge Incident – started the Second Sino-Japanese War. In 1987 a museum of that war opened within the walls.
What to see
A rectangular circuit of walls about 640 metres long, with an east and a west gate, encloses a small town whose main street runs from gate to gate. Bullet marks from 1937 can still be seen on the walls. Inside stands the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and just beyond the west gate lies the 12th-century stone Marco Polo Bridge, adorned with hundreds of carved lions.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q1538571
Popularity: articles about this site in 12 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).