Xiàjīn Bridge

Xiàjīn Bridge

Xiàjīn Bridge is a Suzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xiàjīn Bridge is located west of Shàngjīn Bridge outside Changmen in Suzhou. Built during the Ming Dynasty, it is a single-arch stone bridge. With its tall arch and all-stone blue-gray construction, the bridge presents an ancient appearance and is a scenic highlight along Fengqiao Road.

Originally an important ferry crossing on the ancient canal, after the opening of the Jiangnan Canal in the Sui Dynasty and the subsequent commercial prosperity in the Changmen area, ferries could no longer meet the needs of travelers. The bridge was built in the 18th year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1482). It was renovated in the 4th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1665) and the 2nd year of the Daoguang reign (1822), and underwent further repairs in 1984.

Oriented from north to south, it is a single-arch stone bridge with a mixed structure of blue-gray stone and granite. The total length is 36.7 meters, with a central width of 4.95 meters (some sources say 4.8 meters). The approaches at the southern end and the northern end are 6 meters and 6.5 meters wide respectively. The clear span is 12.2 meters, and the height to the apex is 6.3 meters. The arch is constructed with blue-gray stones laid side by side, while the rest of the bridge body is made of granite. The solid stone parapet is carved with the name “Xiàjīn Bridge” inscribed on the central panel. There are a total of 59 steps on the northern and southern approaches, with slab stone railings. It is now listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit as one of the affiliated heritage sites of the “Grand Canal.”