Ancient Bridges in Yixing

Ancient Bridges in Yixing

The ancient bridges of Yixing are protected as provincial-level cultural heritage sites of Jiangsu Province.

Qiaodu Bridge is situated in Qiaodu Village, Xinzhuang Subdistrict, Yixing City. In March 2003, it was recognized as a municipal-level cultural relic by the Yixing Municipal Government. In June 2006, it was further designated as a provincial-level cultural relic by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Qiaodu Bridge was constructed during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty (1465–1487) and was restored in 1917. Inside the arch of the bridge are stone tablets inscribed with records of its construction during the Chenghua and Jiajing eras of the Ming Dynasty. It is a single-arch stone bridge, built using a mix of bluestone, Yangshan stone, and granite, oriented north-south (35° west of south), with 14 stone steps on both the north and south sides. The bridge is 14.70 meters long, 2.40 meters wide at the middle, and 3.10 meters wide at the ends, with a slope of 12°. The clear span of the arch is 5.25 meters, and the height to the apex is 2.85 meters. The old streets at both ends stretch about a hundred meters, retaining their Ming and Qing architectural styles and blending harmoniously with the quaint surroundings of the bridge.

Dapu Bridge is located at the northern end of Dapu Old Street in Dingshu Town, Yixing City, spanning Dapu Harbor (also known as Loudou Harbor). In March 2003, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal Government, and in June 2006, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Dapu Bridge was built in the fourth year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty (1468), renovated in the fourth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1665), and further restored during the Guangxu era. Inside the arch are inscribed stone tablets from the Ming Chenghua and Qing Kangxi periods recording the bridge’s reconstructions. It is a single-arch stone bridge, 27.2 meters long, 2.7 meters wide in the middle, and 3.1 meters wide at the ends. Oriented north-south, the southern slope has 28 stone steps while the northern slope has 33. The bridge is constructed from a mix of bluestone, granite, and Yangshan stone. Its stone balusters are made of bluestone, with lotus petal patterns carved at the top, and long rectangular stone railings made of granite. The bridge features finely carved relief lotus patterns on the long stone ties on either side. The clear span of the arch is 8 meters, and the height to the apex is 3.8 meters.

Dongcang Bridge is situated on Dongfeng Lane (formerly known as "Dongyuli") in Yicheng Subdistrict, spanning the old city moat. In January 1985, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal Government, and in June 2006, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Dongcang Bridge was first built during the Baoqing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1225–1227), initiated by County Magistrate Zhao Rumai. It was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty, renovated in the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, and damaged by Japanese forces during the Anti-Japanese War before being repaired after victory. In 1997, the Yixing Municipal Government refurbished the bridge deck and railings. The bridge is a single-arch stone structure, still mainly reflecting Ming Dynasty architectural style. It is built from a mix of granite and bluestone, measuring 30 meters in length, 3.60 meters wide at the top, 4.70 meters wide at the ends, with railings 0.75 meters high. Oriented east-west (28° west of south), it has a clear span of 8.30 meters and a height to the apex of 5.50 meters. The southern slope has 28 steps, and the northern slope has 34, of which 12 were removed during urban redevelopment in 1997 and replaced with concrete steps. The slope is 16°. The southern end connects to the Ming and Qing-era Dongfeng Lane old street.

Xin Bridge is located approximately 1 kilometer east of Xinqiao Town, Yixing City, on the eastern side of the Nanjing-Hangzhou Expressway. In November 1996, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal Government, and in June 2006, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Xin Bridge was built during the Ming Dynasty. It is a single-arch stone bridge oriented east-west (17° south of east), with 30 stone steps on each side. The main body is made of bluestone, while the arch stones and roadway are granite. The ends of the long tie stones on both sides are carved with dragon heads. The bridge is 31.30 meters long, 3.95 meters wide in the middle, 5.20 meters wide at the eastern end, and 5.55 meters wide at the western end. The clear span of the arch is 8 meters, and the height to the apex is 4.30 meters. The slope is 14°.

Bulong Bridge is located in Yuanshangxiangli Village, Xizhu Town, Yixing City. Built in the first year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573), it is said that an emperor once traveled across it, hence the name. In November 1996, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal Government, and in June 2006, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Bulong Bridge is a single-arch stone bridge oriented north-south (33° west of south), constructed from bluestone, with railings consisting of four posts and five sections, the tops of which are carved with lotus patterns. The bridge is 19 meters long, 3.30 meters wide in the middle, and 3.70 meters wide at the ends, with a slope of 14°. The clear span of the arch is 4.60 meters, and the height to the apex is 3.55 meters. Embedded within the arch stones is a stone tablet commemorating the bridge’s restoration, inscribed with the characters “Bulong Bridge” and the names of contributors: Shou Long, Ren Yugui, Ren Yuyu, Ren Zhoufeng, and Ren Congsan. It reads: “Bulong Bridge, first constructed by Ren Yugui, Ren Yuyu, Ren Zhoufeng, and Ren Congsan. Built on the auspicious first day of the first lunar month in the first year of the Wanli era.”

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites