The Grand Canal (Suzhou Section)

The Grand Canal (Suzhou Section)

The Grand Canal (Suzhou Section) is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Grand Canal (Jiangsu Section) was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2006. With a total length of 690 kilometers, it accounts for about two-fifths of the entire Grand Canal. Flowing from north to south through eight cities—Xuzhou, Suqian, Huai’an, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Wuxi, Suzhou, and Changzhou—it is divided into three sections: the Middle Canal, the Inner Canal, and the Jiangnan Canal. The section north of Huai’an is the Middle Canal, from Huai’an to Yangzhou is the Inner Canal, and the section south of Zhenjiang is the Jiangnan Canal.

The Grand Canal (Suzhou Section) stretches 82.35 kilometers from Wangting Shadun Port at the border of Suzhou and Wuxi in the north to Youchedun at the border of Suzhou and Jiaxing in the south, accounting for 40% of the 208-kilometer-long Jiangnan Canal. It can be divided into three segments: the western, middle, and southern sections. The western section runs from Wufuqi Bridge in Wangting to Fengqiao, known as the Suzhou-Wuxi Segment. This part has a relatively straight course with water flow generally running east-west, spanning approximately 18 kilometers. The middle section originally ran from Fengqiao, through the bustling areas outside the Chang, Xu, and Pan gates of Suzhou’s ancient city, crossed Midu Bridge, and continued south to Baodai Bridge. Known as the City River Segment, this stretch had a winding course, with water flowing from west to east along the western and southern outer moats of the old city, then turning east and south again. It was about 14 kilometers long. In 1959, due to navigational challenges, the route was altered to go directly south from Fengqiao along Fengjiang to Hengtang, then via Xujian to Panmen to rejoin the original canal alignment. In 1985, to further improve the waterway and urban environment, a new canal was excavated south of Hengtang, cutting through Xujian, following Beiyuelaixi southward, turning east near Shihu Lake, passing through Dantai Lake, and joining the original canal route at Baodai Bridge. The southern section originally ran from Baodai Bridge through Songling, Bache, Pingwang, and Shengze towns in Wujiang District, exiting Jiangsu Province at Wangjiangjing and continuing to Jiaxing. Known as the Suzhou-Jiaxing Segment, it was approximately 50 kilometers long. After 1980, to shorten the navigation route, a new shorter channel was dug west of Pingwang, taking a course via Lanxi Pond to Yabadi at the Jiangsu-Zhejiang border, then directly to Hangzhou. Since then, the main waterway no longer passes through Jiaxing, and the name “Suzhou-Jiaxing Segment” became historical. Currently, the entire Grand Canal (Suzhou Section) meets the standards of a Grade IV waterway and is the first standardized model waterway in China.

Along the Grand Canal (Suzhou Section), there are numerous historical and cultural relics, including ancient river channels, revetments, post stations, towpaths, city walls, city gates, passes, ancient pagodas, temples, bridges, guildhalls, historic residences, classical gardens, and ancient streets. Among them, nine sites related to the ancient canal are considered cultural relics: Shiliting, Xiajinqiao, Shangjinqiao, Wumenqiao, Mieduqiao, the Ancient Canal Towpath, Sanliqiao, Anminqiao, and Andeqiao.

1. Shiliting (Ten-Mile Pavilion)

Shiliting is located at No. 748 Changjiang Road in the High-Tech District, on the west bank of the Grand Canal at Shedukou. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, it was destroyed by a storm in June 1783 (the 48th year of the Qianlong reign). In the 51st year of Qianlong (1786), local residents such as Zhu ??fa and Zhu Gaomei initiated its reconstruction, with assistance of over 300 taels of silver from Wang Yucan, the acting chief secretary of Hushu Customs. From the end of 1993 to early 1994, to accommodate the widening of the Grand Canal, the Wu County Cultural Relics Management Office relocated the pavilion 33 meters west to its current site. Originally used as a resting place for travelers and boat trackers, the pavilion faces east toward the canal. It is a single-eave, hip-and-gable style stone pavilion designed to resemble wood, oriented west-facing-east, square in plan, 3.5 meters wide and 3.8 meters deep, with a fish-dragon ridge and imitation wooden bracket sets under the eaves. Four stone pillars, each 44 cm in width, support the structure, all made of granite. Inside stands a bluestone stele inscribed with “Record of the Embankment Repair at Hushu Customs” by Shen Shixing of the Ming Dynasty. The stele is 3 meters tall with a coiled dragon capital, placed under a ?? curtain. The pavilion also houses other historical relics. It is an important site reflecting the interactions between the Suzhou region and the canal system and provides valuable material evidence for the study of canal architecture during the Ming and Qing periods.

2. Xiajinqiao (Lower Ferry Bridge)

Xiajinqiao is located west of Yongjinqiao on Fengqiao Road, outside Changmen, spanning the Shangtang River (an ancient canal branch). Originally named Tongjin Bridge, it was first built in 1482 (the 18th year of the Chenghua reign), renovated in 1665 (the 4th year of the Kangxi reign), again in 1822 (the 2nd year of the Daoguang reign), and once more in 1906 (the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign). The bridge is a semi-circular, single-arch stone structure, oriented north-south, connecting to Fengqiao Road to the south. It is 36.7 meters long, 4.95 meters wide at the middle span, with a clear arch span of 12.2 meters and a height of 6.3 meters. The bridge bears the three characters “Xiajinqiao” (Lower Ferry Bridge) in relief on both sides. The bridge surface features carved vortex patterns, with parallel bluestone arch rings, granite cutwaters, and flowering stone carvings at the ends of the long tie stones. The approaches are paved with granite steps—28 on the south side and 25 on the north. The northwest corner has inscriptions indicating repairs by the “Jinxiang Yongshan Hall” in the 32nd year of Guangxu. Likely renovated during that period, Xiajinqiao is one of the few surviving ancient bridges over the ancient canal in the Suzhou area and is also one of the larger ancient bridges within the urban area. Its arch structure is believed to date back to the Ming Dynasty, making it a valuable reference for the study of canal transport and Ming-Qing bridge architecture.

3. Shangjinqiao (Upper Ferry Bridge)

Shangjinqiao is situated at the eastern end of Fengqiao Road, outside Changmen, spanning the ancient canal of Changmen. The exact date of its construction is unknown, though it is occasionally mentioned in local records from the mid-Qing Dynasty without details on its history. Inscriptions on the southwestern cutwater include “Reconstructed by the Canal Guild in the Bingyin Year” and “Shangjinqiao □ North □ Public Wharf,” suggesting a possible rebuild in 1866 (the 5th year of the Tongzhi reign). The bridge underwent comprehensive renovation in 1984. It is a single-arch granite bridge, oriented north-south, linking Fengqiao Road to the lower section of Shangjinqiao. The bridge is 42.45 meters long, with a clear span of 12.2 meters, a height of 5.9 meters, and a width of 3.7 meters, featuring seven rows of parallel arch stones. The east side bears the inscription “Reconstructed Shangjinqiao” in relief. The bridge surface has carved vortex patterns, with brick railings interspersed with granite pillars and flat stone caps. Stone steps lead up both sides—29 on the south and 31 on the north. A stele pavilion at the bridge’s southwest corner holds a bluestone tablet inscribed with “The Site Where General Hao of the Ming Dynasty Sold Medicine,” written by Li Chaoqiong, magistrate of Wu County during the Guangxu reign. General Hao, named Taichi, was a late Ming–early Qing figure from Jinning, Yunnan. Historical records describe him as having defended Yiyi during the She-An Rebellion, later retiring to practice medicine and selling remedies on Shangjinqiao in Suzhou. Gu Tinglin praised him in verse: “Once he raised a banner to subdue Guizhou, pointing at the chieftains of Shui and Lin as if they were nothing. In Chu, he was still unaged like Lian Po; past Qin, his healing surpassed Bian Que. His sword’s spirit soared beyond Lingchuan; tea-boiling sounds echoed at Heron Ravine. We met by the bridge yet did not know each other—why test a hero with mere skills?” The stele is 115 cm tall, 56 cm wide, and 16.5 cm thick. Viewed from Guangji Bridge outside Changmen, the scenery of Shangjinqiao and the riverside residences offers a rich taste of the water town aesthetic. As a vital transit route connecting the southern shore of Shantang and the once-bustling Shilu area, Shangjinqiao is one of the few remaining ancient canal bridges in the Suzhou region and among the larger ones in the urban area. It holds significance for the study of canal transport and Ming-Qing bridge architecture.

4. Wumenqiao (Wumen Bridge)

Wumenqiao is located outside Panmen in the southwest of the city, spanning the ancient canal and serving as the main land route into and out of Panmen. According to the Wu County Annals, it was initially called Xin Bridge or San Tiao Bridge. Built in 1084 (the 7th year of the Yuanyou reign) with funding from a local resident surnamed Shi, it crossed the flooding waters, facilitating travel. It was rebuilt during the Shaoding era and renamed to its current title. In the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty, Suzhou Prefect Kuang Zhong renovated it further. In 1498 (the 11th year of the Hongzhi reign), Water Conservancy Official Fu Chao maintained it. Additional repairs were carried out in 1646 (the 3rd year of the Shunzhi reign) and 1734 (the 12th year of the Yongzheng reign), with a major reconstruction by the Jiangsu Provincial Water Conservancy Bureau in 1872 (the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign). The Song-era Pingjiang Map shows three connected bridges with three arches. The Qing-era Prosperous Reign Pictorial depicts a three-arch stone bridge. Currently, it is the tallest surviving single-arch ancient stone bridge in Suzhou. Constructed mainly of granite with some Wukang stone, it is 66.3 meters long, 4.8 meters wide at the middle, with a clear span of 16 meters, a height of 9.85 meters, and ten rows of arch stones supported by eleven long tie stones arranged longitudinally. In 1989, some arch stones were damaged by a boat collision. During repairs, it was discovered that the stones were joined using a “Ding Sheng” mortise-and-tenon system to enhance stability and prevent shifting. The stone railings are carved with concave-convex patterns resembling continuous backrests. The bridge’s name is inscribed in intaglio, with one side of the pillar inscribed “Reconstructed by the Jiangsu Provincial Water Conservancy Bureau” and the other “11th Year of the Tongzhi Reign, Summer, 4th Month.” The bridge surface features carved wheel-of-life patterns, with fifty stone steps on each approach. The granite cutwaters on both ends have built-in 0.6-meter-wide towpaths for the convenience of trackers. Wumenqiao, grand and imposing, forms a picturesque ensemble with nearby Rui Guang Pagoda and the ancient land-water Panmen, collectively known as the “Three Scenic Spots of Panmen.” It is an iconic landmark in the southwestern part of Suzhou and holds research value for the study of the city’s historical transport and Ming-Qing bridge construction.

5. Mieduqiao (Ferry-Crossing Bridge)

Mieduqiao is located outside Fengmen in the southeastern corner of the city, spanning the ancient canal. As a key crossing point for both land and water traffic, it originally had a ferry service. Due to the intolerable behavior of the ferrymen, monks initiated fundraising to build a bridge, naming it “Miedu” (“Eliminate Ferry”) to signify the end of such tyranny. It is now commonly mispronounced as “Miduqiao” (Ferry-Seeking Bridge). Construction began in October 1298 (the 2nd year of the Yuandade reign) and was completed in March 1300 (the 4th year), taking over a year. It was renovated during the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty by Prefect Kuang Zhong, again in the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, and restored once more in 1985, when the stone railings were reinstated. The bridge is a thin, single-arch structure, oriented east-west, 70.75 meters long, 3.78 meters wide at the middle, with a span of 19.3 meters and a height of 8.5 meters. It is the largest surviving single-arch, thin-span stone bridge in the urban area. The approaches feature 90 granite steps in total. The bridge is built from a mix of Wukang, bluestone, and granite stones, showing signs of multiple reconstructions. The arch rings are laid longitudinally, with carved beast-face patterns on the ends of the long tie stones, likely original features. The design maximizes the span without adding extra arches to suit the fast currents and large, frequent boat traffic. The lack of fill between the arch crown and the deck, along with the extended slope, ensures a gentle, stable crossing despite the bridge’s height.

6. Ancient Canal Towpath

The Ancient Canal Towpath is located on the west bank of the Grand Canal in the southern suburbs of Songling Town, Wujiang District. Initially constructed in 810 (the 5th year of the Tang Yuanhe reign) by Prefect Wang Zhongshu of Suzhou, it was called the Songjiang Dyke. Repaired with added stone in 1048 (the 8th year of the Song Qingli reign), it was rebuilt with massive stones between 1346–1347 (the 6th–7th years of the Yuan Zhizheng reign), extending nine li south from Sanjiang Bridge, and thus called the “Nine-Li Stone Dyke.” It underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After the construction of the Suzhou-Jiaxing Highway in the 1930s, the dyke road became solely a towpath. It suffered severe damage over time. In 1984, two sections totaling 1,500 meters were restored. The northern section extends 600 meters from the fourth harbor south of Sanjiang Bridge to 31.6 meters north of the concrete north bank of the Third Metal Materials Company warehouse. The southern section is 900 meters long, starting from the south bank of Beiqixing Bridge and extending 257 meters south. The towpath features a stone revetment along the canal side and an earthen embankment within, standing 1.59 meters high and 3.1 meters wide excluding the foundation. Multiple tow bridges once existed along the path; two remain today: “Sanshan Bridge,” a beam bridge built of granite, and “Nanqixing Bridge,” also a beam bridge made of granite. Additionally, Beiqixing Bridge was reconstructed in 1995. In the past, towpaths were common along both banks of the Grand Canal, but few have survived. The well-preserved, three-li-long section at Wujiang is particularly precious.

7. Sanliqiao (Three-Mile Bridge)

Sanliqiao is located in Sanliqiao Village, Songling Town, Wujiang District, spanning the Grand Canal. Originally built in 1329 (the 6th year of the Yuan Taiding reign), it was reconstructed in 1457 (the 1st year of the Ming TianShun reign), 1797 (the 2nd year of the Qing Jiaqing reign), and again in 1885 (the 11th year of the Qing Guangxu reign). The bridge is oriented east-west, a single-arch structure, 50.4 meters long, 4.65 meters wide at the top, 5.08 meters wide at the base, with a clear span of 16 meters and a height of 12.5 meters. The east abutment has 47 stone steps, the west 45. Thick railing stones line both sides, and the bridge surface is engraved with “wheel of life” patterns. In addition to the longitudinal segmented parallel masonry technique, the arch also employs a tapering method—narrower at the crown than the springing—to enhance lateral stability. The east abutment includes a towpath 1.15 meters wide at the front and 0.80 meters wide north-south, allowing trackers to pass beneath the bridge.

8. Anminqiao (People’s Peace Bridge)

Anminqiao is located on Beidajie in Pingwang Town, Wujiang District, spanning the Grand Canal. Commonly called Beiduqiao (Northern Ferry Bridge), it was first built in 1555 (the 34th year of the Ming Jiajing reign) and rebuilt in 1629 (the 2nd year of the Chongzhen reign). The bridge is oriented east-west, a single-arch stone structure using the longitudinal segmented parallel masonry method. Except for the Wukang stone partition walls and granite cutwaters, it is built entirely of granite. It is 40.40 meters long, 4.6 meters wide at the middle, with a clear span of 9 meters and a height of 7 meters. Its span-to-height ratio of 1:1.125 makes it a steeply arched bridge rare for the Jiangnan water town region. The arch stones bear carvings of donors praying for family prosperity and peace. There are 32 and 35 steps on the east and west sides respectively, with railing stones along both edges. The central bridge slab is a large rectangular Wukang stone with indiscernible engravings. The bridge abutments also have old place names: Pujijiang (Express Relay Lane) on the west, where an urgent relay station once stood during the Ming Dynasty, and Chenghaoli on the east, near an earthen fort built by Zhang Shicheng at the end of the Yuan Dynasty.

9. Andeqiao (Peace Bridge)

Andeqiao is located at the confluence of the Grand Canal and Tangxi in the southeastern part of Pingwang Town, Wujiang District, also known as Pingwang Bridge. Originally built during the Dali era of the Tang Dynasty (766–779), it was reconstructed in 1185 (the 12th year of the Southern Song Chunxi reign), 1483 (the 19th year of the Ming Chenghua reign), and several times during the Qing Kangxi and Qianlong reigns. The current structure dates to 1872 (the 11th year of the Qing Tongzhi reign). The bridge is oriented north-south, a single-arch structure, 50.60 meters long, 4.53 meters wide at the middle, with a clear span of 11.5 meters and a height of 9.3 meters. Entirely built of granite, the arch uses the longitudinal segmented parallel masonry technique. The north abutment has 28 steps leading to a platform with four additional steps on either side. The south abutment has 31 steps and a two-step platform below. Stone railings line both sides, and the bridge is equipped with backrest railings for resting. The central slab features a “wheel of life” pattern. The bridge is majestic in scale. The eminent Tang calligrapher Yan Zhenqing wrote a poem titled “Ascending Pingwang Bridge” during his visit while serving as Prefect of Huzhou. Southern Song poet Yang Wanli praised it as a bridge “so tall it lets masts pass.” Historically, it served as a landmark and high point in Pingwang. Adjacent to the bridge stands the Little Jiuhua Temple, together forming a classic “bridge-temple” scenic composition emblematic of the water town culture.