Guantaowei Bridge

Guantaowei Bridge

Guantaowei Bridge is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Guantaowei Bridge is an ancient bridge in the eastern part of Suzhou city, located at the southern end of Baxian Bridge on East Ganjiang Road, at the western end of Tangjia Lane, spanning the Fourth Straight River. Its exact construction date is unknown, though some say it was built during the Song Dynasty. It was rebuilt in the 35th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1696) and repaired again in June of the 4th year of the Guangxu reign (1878).

Made of Wukang stone and featuring a single-arch granite flat crossing with steps, the bridge is 15.6 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, with a span of 3 meters, and has 11 steps on each slope. In 1982, the bridge railings were changed to cement walls, and in 1991 they were replaced with strip stone railings. On November 24, 1998, Guantaowei Bridge was listed by the Suzhou Municipal Government as part of the fourth batch of Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Records of Guantaowei Bridge can be found in the Southern Song Dynasty work “Wu Jun Zhi” (Records of Wu Commandery) by Fan Chengda, proving that the bridge was built during the Southern Song period. Although it has undergone multiple restorations over the years, it still retains original stone components from the original structure. It is a rare physical relic from the Song Dynasty preserved in Suzhou’s ancient city and holds significant cultural value. The area surrounding the bridge retains many historic buildings and preserves the old city’s charm well, showcasing the unique “When you arrive in Gusu, you’ll see homes nestled along the rivers” water-town ambiance that Suzhou has cherished for millennia. Strolling here, one is surrounded by brilliant scenery that is sure to stir feelings of nostalgia for ancient times.