North Street and Fangsheng Bridge

North Street and Fangsheng Bridge

North Street and Fangsheng Bridge serve as patriotic education bases.

North Street, also known as "First-line Street," is the best-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture street in the suburbs of Shanghai, stretching over a thousand meters in length. It stretches east from Fangsheng Bridge to Meizhou Lane, backed by the Cao Port River and adjacent to Fangsheng Bridge. As early as the beginning of the ancient town's formation, it gained fame for the convenience of both water and land transport, becoming a thriving commercial center that has flourished for centuries. In 1991, the Shanghai municipal government decided to transform North Street into the first Ming and Qing pedestrian street in the suburbs of Shanghai. The renovated street features rows of vintage residential houses, well-spaced white-walled and black-tiled buildings, a continuous stone-paved road, and historic shops lining the sides, presenting a picturesque scene of classic Jiangnan water town charm.

Fangsheng Bridge was first built in the fifth year of the Longqing era during the Ming Dynasty (1571 AD) and is located in the eastern part of Zhujiajiao Town. It is the largest five-arch stone bridge in East China. Legend has it that it was funded through donations by Monk Xingchao of Cimen Temple, and later renovated with funds raised by Monk Jueming of Yuanyin Chan Temple during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. After its completion, Xingchao built a Fangsheng Pavilion at the bridgehead and established the Fangsheng Society. Every first day of the lunar month was designated as a day for temple monks to release captive animals, and fishing nets were prohibited beneath the bridge—hence the name “Fangsheng,” meaning “Releasing Life.” The bridge spans 70.8 meters in total length, 5.8 meters in width, and 7.4 meters in height. The central arch is the largest with a span of 13 meters, while the two side arches are 8.8 meters and the remaining three are 6.2 meters in diameter. It is hailed as the “No.1 Bridge in Shanghai.”

Address: North Street, Zhujiajiao Town; east side of No. 160 North Street

Postal Code: 201713 Tel: 59240233 Fax: 59240208

Website: http://zhujj.shqp.gov.cn

Opening Hours: All year round, 24 hours

Public Transport: Hu-Zhu Express Line, Zhu-Xu Line, Tourist Line 4