Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda

Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda

Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda are listed as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda are located in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Lotus Bridge was built in the 22nd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1757) by Gao Heng, the Salt Inspector of Lianghuai, to welcome Emperor Gaozong Hongli on his second southern tour. It was named after being constructed on Lotus Bank, and is also commonly known as "Five-Pavilion Bridge." During the Xianfeng era, the bridge pavilions were destroyed in war, but were later restored in the Guangxu era. In 1933, local residents raised funds for another restoration. After 1949, it underwent multiple renovations.

The bridge spans across Slender West Lake from north to south, featuring five pavilions supported by 28 large red pillars, with four wings below, totaling 15 arches on the front and sides. The bridge stretches 57.99 meters in total length from north to south and is built from bluestone. All five pavilions have green-glazed tile roofs, connected by stone beams, gracefully curving like a swimming dragon. Additionally, three pavilions—Longze, Zixiang, and Fucui—are connected to the stone bank via single-arch stone bridges, with ornate railings and painted beams reflecting on the rippling water.

The bridge foundation is level with Lotus Bridge, featuring a unique structure and elegant design. The bridge body is arched, connected by three different types of arches, with a total of fifteen bridge holes. The central hole is the largest, spanning 7.13 meters in a large semicircular shape running east-west, while the twelve surrounding holes are arranged on three sides of the bridge base, allowing passage from north to south in smaller semicircular shapes. The side holes are fan-shaped, allowing passage from east to west. When viewed from the front, along with their reflections, they form five differently sized and shaped openings.

The White Pagoda of Lianxing Temple was built in 1784 and is also called the Trumpet Pagoda. According to the Qing-era "Wild History Miscellany," there is a legend that it was built overnight. Modeled after the White Pagoda in Beijing’s Beihai Park, the pagoda stands over 30 meters tall, with a square brick-and-stone carved base, an ancient plum vase-shaped body, a canopy-like top, and a central gourd-shaped copper finial.

Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda are part of the Slender West Lake garden complex and serve as its core structures. The architecture is grand yet delicate, blending the refined elegance of the south with the majestic strength of the north, truly earning Yangzhou gardens the reputation of “the finest gardens under heaven.”

In 2006, Lotus Bridge and White Pagoda, as historical buildings from the Qing Dynasty, were included in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

Further reading:

· First and Second Batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level