Yuecheng Bridge

Yuecheng Bridge

Yuecheng Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou.

Yuecheng Bridge is located on the northeastern shore of Shihu Lake in the suburbs of Suzhou, spanning the North Yuecai Stream. It stands just dozens of meters west of Xingchun Bridge and was originally built during the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty. The bridge underwent renovations during the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, the Yongle and Chenghua eras of the Ming Dynasty, and the Kangxi, Qianlong, and Daoguang eras of the Qing Dynasty, before being rebuilt in the eighth year of the Tongzhi reign (1869). It is a single-arch stone bridge oriented east-west, with a total length of 33.2 meters, a clear span of 9.5 meters, a height of 4.8 meters, and a central width of 3.6 meters, constructed from granite. Its vertical pillars are inscribed with couplets: on the north side, “Verdant grass meets the level lake, green hills form a painted scene” and “Waves shimmer for miles, moonlight lasts for ages”; on the south side, “Willow shadows along the dike connect the pathways” and “Fragrance of lotuses spans ten li, mingling with the water.” Due to years of neglect, the bridge leaned, and further damage occurred when passing boats collided with it, causing some arch stones to fall off and the vertical pillars to break, creating a hazardous situation. It was restored to its original appearance in 1993. The bridge is situated within the Shihu Scenic Area, and from its deck one can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and mountains, fields, and village houses. It is now a municipal cultural relic protection unit.