Nanjing Wendeng Bridge

Nanjing Wendeng Bridge

Nanjing Wendeng Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing.

Nanjing Wendeng Bridge

Nanjing Wendeng Bridge is located on the Qinhuai River in Nanjing. During the Six Dynasties period, it was a pontoon bridge, but due to dynastic changes, it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty that a stone-pierred, wooden-framed bridge was built. Through the vicissitudes of history and countless trials, the wonders of Wendeng Bridge have become legendary through generations.

It is said that on the night of the 15th day of the 11th lunar month each year, if you stand in the center of the bridge and look down, you can see half a moon reflected on each side of the river. This miraculous sight in the world can rival the "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" at West Lake, captivating countless onlookers over the years. The great Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai had a deep love for the moon. One year on the night of the 15th day of the 11th lunar month, he visited a tavern near Wendeng Bridge to drink and compose poetry. As he admired the bright moon shining in the sky and silver light spilling across the ground, he was inspired by the moment and climbed up onto Wendeng Bridge to enjoy the view. Suddenly, he noticed that the moon seemed to have fallen into the water. In his drunken euphoria, he leapt off the bridge and joyfully spread his arms to try to catch the moon—causing the reflection in the water to split in two. Since then, every year on that night, crowds flock to Wendeng Bridge to witness the half-moon spectacle, inspiring many vivid and enchanting tales in the legends of the Qinhuai nights.

The story of Li Bai diving into the water to catch the moon has been widely passed down among the people. Many scholars, poets, and men of letters have also been drawn to Wendeng Bridge by the famed half-moon, composing memorable works in its honor. The renowned poet Wen Yiduo wrote the narrative poem "The Death of Li Bai," which vividly depicts Li Bai’s moon-catching dive and the mesmerizing beauty of the moon. The poem reads:

The moon was first peeping from behind the slender willow shadows beneath the pool,

Like a beautician drying her hair by the window after a bath;

But now she has slowly stepped out, coming to the west side of the pool,

Where a ripple stirs the water—and evokes her gentle smile once more.