Shangjin Bridge

Shangjin Bridge

Shangjin Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou.

Shangjin Bridge is located on the west side of Guangji Bridge at the eastern end of Fengqiao Road, outside Changmen in Suzhou. It faces Guangji Bridge to the east and stands opposite Yongjin Bridge and Xiajin Bridge to the west, spanning the Shangtang River (a section of the ancient canal). It is a large single-arch stone bridge with a wide arch and broad river surface. From the bridge, one can enjoy the picturesque water town scenery, which is truly captivating. It is now listed as one of the affiliated cultural heritage sites of the "Grand Canal" and is designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

At the southern end of Shangjin Bridge stands a stone pavilion inscribed with “The Site Where General Hao of the Ming Dynasty Sold Medicine.” “The Site Where General Hao Sold Medicine” is an ancient historical site with a history of nearly 400 years. Historical records indicate that General Hao, named Hao Taiji, was a native of Jinning Prefecture, Yunnan Province (present-day Jinning District, Kunming City) during the Ming Dynasty and achieved military merit in defending the city. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, he came to Suzhou and made a living by selling medicine at Shangjin Bridge. Although he was a low-ranking officer, the people of Suzhou admired General Hao Taiji for his patriotism, national integrity, and noble character of being indifferent to fame and wealth, and thus referred to him as “General Hao.” In the 30th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1904), Li Chaoqiong, then magistrate of Wuxian County and renowned for organizing the construction of Li Gong Di (Li’s Embankment) at Jinji Lake, erected a stele at Shangjin Bridge to commemorate him.