Taiping Bridge in Tongli

Tongli Taiping Bridge

Taiping Bridge

Located to the west of the Tongzhi Yamen, it spans the West City River between Beiqiangmen and Cangchangnong. Its original construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the 23rd year of the Jiaqing reign (1818). On September 6, 1986 [Tongzhen (86) No. 64], it was listed as a cultural relic control unit of Tongli Town. On July 29, 1994 [Wu Zhengban [1994] No. 75], it was listed as a cultural relic control unit of Wujiang City.

The bridge was previously rebuilt in the 12th year of the Qianlong reign (1747) by local residents such as Fan Jinglie, and then reconstructed again in the 23rd year of the Jiaqing reign (1818). It was repaired by locals in the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902). It is now a single-span beam bridge oriented from north to south. Constructed with granite, the bridge abutments are built with layered stonework, and the railings are fully preserved. Each step is only about 15 centimeters high and features anti-slip grooves. The bridge deck and railings are made of large stone slabs. The bridge is 12.14 meters long, 2.05 meters wide on the deck, 2.39 meters wide at the approaches, has a height of 2.30 meters, and a span of 3.40 meters, making it a low-rise, small-scale structure. The east-side pillar stone is inscribed with the couplet: “Forever bridging the north and south roads in peace; Completed in the 23rd year of Jiaqing.”

The above two bridges, along with the Jili Bridge that spans the West City River near Daoshidai and Jinjiawan, form a “品” (Chinese character for “three”) shape known as the “Three Bridges of Tongli.” On December 22, 2008 [Wu Zhengfa [2008] No. 239], the Three Bridges of Tongli were listed as part of the fifth batch of cultural relics protection units of Wujiang City. The three bridges span the intersection of a “T”-shaped river system, facing and complementing one another, creating a delightful sight. The riverbanks feature bluestone revetments, with granite railings constructed on both sides. The trees along the banks cast reflections on the water, offering breathtaking scenery and forming a unique feature of the ancient town. Additionally, the Three Bridges are considered auspicious by locals. For events such as elderly birthdays, weddings, and baby’s full-month celebrations, people often walk across these three bridges in groups, creating a distinctive local custom known as “Walking the Three Bridges.”

Tongli Town: One of China’s Six Ancient Water Towns in the Jiangnan region, Tongli was formerly known as “Futu” (Land of Wealth). In the early Tang Dynasty, it was renamed “Tongli,” and in the Song Dynasty, the name was further stylized into its current form. Established in the Song Dynasty, it has a history of over 1,000 years as of 2015 and is a renowned ancient water town in China.

Tongli Town is located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, 18 kilometers from downtown Suzhou and 80 kilometers from Shanghai. Covering an area of 33 hectares, the town is surrounded by five lakes and connected by 49 bridges, with a network of rivers dividing the town into seven islands. In the ancient town, every household faces the water and owns a boat; well-preserved bridges from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties remain. In 1982... More details about Tongli Town++