Modu Bridge

Modu Bridge

Modu Bridge is a protected cultural heritage site of Jiangsu Province.

Modu Bridge is located outside Fengmen Gate in the southeastern corner of Suzhou.

Spanning the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, this was once a key junction of land and water transport. Originally there were no ferries here, but because travelers could not tolerate the control exerted by the boatmen, monks initiated fundraising to build a bridge, naming it “Du” (meaning “ferry”). It is now commonly mispronounced as “Midu Bridge.” The bridge was first built in October of the second year of the Yuandade era (1298) and completed in March of the fourth year, taking over a year. It was renovated during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty by Kuang Zhong, the prefect of Suzhou. It was repaired again during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, and restored once more in 1985, when the stone railings were also reinstated.

On October 22, 2002, Modu Bridge was announced as part of the fifth batch of protected cultural heritage sites of Jiangsu Province.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Jiangsu Province