Siben Bridge

Siben Bridge

Siben Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Also known as Sifen Bridge, Siben Bridge is located in Qiaogangli, Laobang Village, southwest of Tongli Town. According to old records of Tongli, it was built during the Baoyou era (1253–1258) of the Southern Song Dynasty by a local resident named Ye Yin. In April 1995, it was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and is one of the oldest existing bridges in Wujiang City.

Ye Yin was a renowned poet of the Song Dynasty. Known for his philanthropy, he funded the construction of several bridges in his hometown, among which Siben Bridge is one. Its common name, Sifen Bridge, derives from the phrase "one must think of the people as the foundation," hence the name "Siben" (思本), meaning "think of the foundation."

Siben Bridge spans the middle section of Qiaogangli, running east to west. It is a single-arch stone bridge, entirely constructed from Wukang stone. The bridge is 22.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, with a slightly arched deck that is 5.4 meters long. The span reaches 9 meters, with a rise of 4.5 meters, giving it an ideal rise-span ratio of 1:2. The arch ring is semi-circular (constructed with seven parallel voussoirs laid side by side), reflecting beautifully on the water to form a perfect circle. The shimmering ripples enhance its exquisite beauty. The bridge features a unique structural design and bridge-building technique: the arch ring is built in sections with seven parallel voussoirs and lacks transverse connecting structures. The top stone beam, the inclined slopes on both sides, and the northern part of the deck are joined by three large flat slabs, each 4.4 meters long and 0.73 meters wide. These slabs are thicker in the middle and thinner at the ends, with their outer edges carved into arcs. The deck stones are also slightly arched and adorned with nipple-like patterns. The gentle slopes are flanked by step-like stone slabs that align perfectly in height and width with the adjacent stair treads. The stair treads, embedded between the side slabs, are 40–50 cm wide with each step rising 15 cm. This construction not only showcases the bridge’s distinctive form but also plays a crucial role in stabilizing the structure, preventing tilting along the slopes. As a result, the bridge remains remarkably well-preserved to this day. Aside from the missing railings and some replaced steps, the bridge largely retains its original Song Dynasty structure. Having withstood over 700 years of wind and rain, the ancient bridge is now draped with green vines on both sides, its half-visible arches gently rising above the tranquil green waters.

Historical records state that the bridge was built during the Baoyou era (1253–1258) of the Southern Song Dynasty by a local man named Ye Yin. With over 700 years of history, it is the best-preserved and oldest surviving arched bridge in the town. Spanning the middle section of Qiaogang, the bridge runs east-west and is a single-arch structure built entirely from Wukang stone. It measures 22.5 meters in length and 1.8 meters in width, with a 5.4-meter-long slightly arched deck, a span of 9 meters, and a rise of 4.5 meters—giving it a rise-span ratio of 1:2. The arch is semi-circular. The bridge features unique structural design and construction techniques. On the eastern and western slopes and the northern side of the deck, three large flat stone slabs are used to join the structure. Each slab is 4.4 meters long and 0.73 meters wide. The side stones are carved into step-like edges that align in height and width with the adjacent stairs. This not only enhances the bridge’s visual appeal but also greatly stabilizes the structure, preventing slope collapse. As a result, despite never being repaired, the bridge has remained intact. Over 700 years later, it remains covered with green vines, its partially visible arches rising gracefully above the shimmering green waters. In April 1995, it was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and is one of the oldest surviving bridges in Wujiang District, Suzhou.

Ye Yin (1199–?) (birth year estimated from the line “aging past fifty” in his works “Three Poems in the Style of Master Jingjie's Dirge” and “A Satirical Response”). His courtesy name was Jingwen, and he was from Lize (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu).

Leading a reclusive and carefree life, Ye Yin did not seek fame or wealth. Though he once held an official position (“unpromoted for ten years,” as noted in his collection Volume 2, “Reflections on Taking the Imperial Exam”), he eventually retired to his hometown of Tongli, where he built the Shunshi Hall. The hall was named after a line from Du Fu’s poetry: “wash away worldly thoughts and follow what suits you.” He exchanged poems with contemporaries such as Xu Ji and Lin Hong. He authored the five-volume collection *Poetic Drafts from the Shunshi Hall*. More details can be found in the *Suzhou Prefecture Records* (Volume 48) from the Qing Dynasty’s Tongzhi era.... More details about Ye Yin ++

Tongli Town: One of China’s Six Ancient Towns of the South, Tongli was formerly known as “Futu” (Rich Land). In the early Tang Dynasty, it was renamed “Tongli” (Copper Hamlet), and later in the Song Dynasty, its name was modified to its current form. Established in the Song Dynasty, Tongli boasts a history of over 1,000 years as of 2015 and is a quintessential water town in Chinese culture.

Located in Wujiang District, Suzhou, Tongli Town sits 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. The ancient town is characterized by homes fronting waterways and boats accessible from nearly every household. Many bridges dating back to the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties remain well-preserved. In 1982... More details about Tongli Town ++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units