Fuguan Bridge

Fuguan Bridge

Fuguan Bridge is a cultural heritage site protected at the municipal level in Suzhou.

Originally named Qingrong Bridge, Fuguan Bridge is located in the northern part of Cangchang Lane, Tongli Town, Wujiang District.

Constructed in the 13th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1353) by local resident Ning Cheng, it was first named Qingrong Bridge. It was rebuilt in the 2nd year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty (1466) by local resident Gu Kuan, and underwent renovations in the 5th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1666), when it was renamed Fuguan Bridge. Further renovations took place in the 18th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1813) — inscribed on the stone on the western side of the bridge’s southern abutment are the words “Renovated in the 18th year of the Great Qing Jiaqing era, in the cyclical year Guiyou, by local residents.” On September 15, 1997, it was listed as a cultural heritage site protected at the municipal level in Wujiang District.

A single-arch stone bridge stretching from north to south. The total length is 34 meters, width 2.85 meters, arch height 5.1 meters, and span 9.4 meters. Midway along the northern ramp of the bridge deck, there is a 4-square-meter platform, and the eastern side of the bridge deck is equipped with seating (stone railings) for pedestrians to rest. At the northern end, two bridge abutments meet at a right angle and extend westward and northward, featuring 14 and 15 stone steps respectively. Originally, wooden railings were installed on the bridge deck for defensive purposes. In the center of the arch is a bas-relief depicting “a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate.” The scene is simple yet vivid, the carving technique crisp and clean, and the image of the carp is distinctive — it has a dragon head and a fish tail. In addition, there are three stone carvings left from the Ming and Qing renovations, embedded in the north and south diamond walls. The bridge has been repaired many times over the dynasties, and the stonework used in its construction is quite diverse — including Wukang stone from the original Yuan Dynasty construction, bluestone from the Ming Dynasty renovations, and granite from the Qing Dynasty rebuilds. It is quite rare for a single bridge to incorporate stonework from so many different historical periods.

There are two legends associated with this bridge. The earlier one is a mythological story about “the carp transforming into a dragon.” During the season of “peach blossom rain” in March, a carp struggled to leap through the Dragon Gate in an attempt to transcend the mortal realm. However, a beautiful maiden happened to walk across the bridge, causing the carp to be distracted by worldly desires. In an instant, the carp became petrified on the bridge — the part that had cleared the Dragon Gate transformed into a dragon’s head, while the lower body that hadn’t made it remained a fish tail, forever suspended between heaven and water. This story serves as a moral lesson encouraging people to remain resolute in their endeavors. By the mid-Qing Dynasty, another legend emerged: in feudal society, those who failed imperial examinations were often said to have “bumped their heads and returned,” while those who passed were described as having “leaped through the Dragon Gate.” Therefore, the carving of the “carp leaping through the Dragon Gate” on the bridge visually symbolized people’s hopes of achieving success and status through imperial examinations. As a result, scholars would walk across Fuguan Bridge before taking their exams, believing it would bring them the luck of the carp’s transformation and lead to good fortune.

Source: Wujiang Archives Bureau

Tongli Town: One of China’s Six Ancient Towns of the South, Tongli was originally called “Futu” (Rich Land), renamed “Tongli” (Copper Hamlet) in the early Tang Dynasty, and then reinterpreted as “Tongli” (Same Village) by splitting the characters of its old name during the Song Dynasty. Established in the Song Dynasty, it has a history of over 1,000 years as of 2015 and is a well-preserved ancient water town in China.

Located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Tongli Town is 18 kilometers from downtown Suzhou and 80 kilometers from Shanghai. Covering an area of 33 hectares, it is embraced by five lakes and interconnected by 49 bridges, with a network of rivers dividing the town into seven islands. Traditional houses line the waterways, and boats are a common means of transport; bridges from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties remain well preserved. In 1982... Detailed information on Tongli Town++