Golden Lotus Bridge at Huishan Temple

Golden Lotus Bridge at Huishan Temple

The Golden Lotus Bridge at Huishan Temple is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

The Golden Lotus Bridge is located within Xihui Park in the western suburbs of Wuxi City. It spans the Golden Lotus Pond along the central axis of the architectural complex of Huishan Temple, an ancient temple from the Southern Dynasties, situated between the Vajra Hall (former site) and the Imperial Stele Pavilion. Built during the Song Dynasty and renovated in subsequent dynasties, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government in 1982 under the name “Golden Lotus Bridge at Huishan Temple.”

The Golden Lotus Bridge is a three-arch stone beam bridge, stretching east-west over the pond. The ends of the stone bridge are supported by stone abutments, with two stone piers in the middle to bear the stone beams of the bridge. Each arch consists of six stone beams arranged in sequence: the middle four serve as the bridge deck for pedestrian passage, while each side has one decorative slab supporting the stone railings. The outer sides of these slabs are carved with typical Northern Song Dynasty relief designs of intertwined peonies and cherubs (or infants). At the center of the southern edge of the middle arch’s decorative slab is engraved the inscription “Mao De Tang Li Fu” (Mansion of the Li Family of Noble Virtue). The horizontal cap beams at the ends of both the eastern and western abutments are each carved with a fantastic fish head, totaling four. The horizontal cap beams at the ends of the two middle piers are each carved with a chi dragon head (pronounced “chi,” resembling a yellow dragon), also totaling four. The stone railings on both sides alternate between lotus-shaped pillars and perforated stone panels. At each end of the bridge railings sits a drum-shaped stone (four in total). The middle arch is slightly higher, flat, and longer, while the two side arches are sloped and slightly shorter, giving the bridge a gentle arc. The entire stone bridge features an elegant, symmetrical, and sturdy structure with ornate carvings, making it a rare masterpiece among ancient garden bridges.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units