Dongmiau Bridge

Dongmiau Bridge

Dongmiau Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Dongmiau Bridge

Era: Song Dynasty

Address: Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

The entire bridge, apart from the granite railings and stone pillars added during the Republican era, is built from the original Wukang stone used at the time of its construction. Wukang stone, also called purple stone, features a fine honeycomb texture on the surface and a deep reddish hue. It was originally sourced from Wukang in Zhejiang Province (which merged into Deqing County in 1958). During the Song and Yuan dynasties, this type of stone was commonly used for bridge construction in the Jiangnan region. Most components of Dongmiau Bridge are made from this stone, confirming that its original construction indeed dates back to the Song Dynasty. The water-bearing stones and column bases are solid and stable, with the columns fitting tightly against the transverse tie stones. Each stone beam gradually thickens from the ends toward the middle, and the outer edges are carved with an arc, giving the entire bridge deck a slightly arched shape that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The edges of the secondary span beams are individually engraved with Ruyi cloud motifs, each uniquely shaped and gracefully vivid.

The structural engineering of Dongmiau Bridge is quite distinctive. Its base stones and column foundations are solid and steady, and the column bases fit tightly against the transverse tie stones, ensuring even force distribution. The three-span bridge deck is supported by six stone beams, with stone slabs laid between them. Each stone beam is 31 cm thick at the ends and thickens to 51 cm in the middle, while the outer edges are carved into arcs. This not only increases load-bearing capacity and reduces tensile stress but also gives the whole bridge deck a gentle arch. The long tie stones beneath the beams still have four semi-circular holes, each 18 cm in diameter, which were used to hold wooden supports during construction. In April 1995, Dongmiau Bridge was listed by the provincial government as part of the fourth group of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units. In May 2013, it was elevated to the status of a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in the seventh batch.

Dongmiau Bridge Village: Located 6 kilometers southwest of Qidu Town. … More details about Dongmiau Bridge Village++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units